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Rockhampton Young Dancers Recognised in 2026 Shirley Treacy Awards - Rockhampton, QLD
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Young dancers from Rockhampton were among regional Queensland finalists recognised through the 2026 Shirley Treacy Awards program.
Young dancers from Rockhampton and other regional Queensland communities have been recognised through the 2026 Shirley Treacy Awards, an annual program supporting dance education and performance opportunities outside major metropolitan centres.
A regional event was held in Rockhampton as part of this year's program, alongside events in Townsville, Cairns and Mackay. The events gave students from regional communities the opportunity to participate in dance classes, perform solo routines and work with experienced dance professionals.
The Rockhampton event was one of four regional stages in the 2026 program. Students who progressed from the regional events became eligible for the overall finals, where their recorded solo performances were assessed by experienced figures from Australia's professional dance sector.
The overall finals were presented online on September 12. The judging panel included former Australian Ballet artistic director David McAllister and former Australian Ballet principal artist Fiona Tonkin.
The program recognises dancers across several training levels. Awards were presented in three categories: Grade 4 and 5; Intermediate Foundation and Intermediate; and Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2.
The 2026 award recipients included Matthew Wingham, Ashley Ekert and Cayden Connors, who received awards across the different levels. Other finalists received runner-up and encouragement awards.
Scholarship opportunities were also provided to four finalists. The opportunities included training support connected with the Academy of Queensland Ballet, The Australian Ballet School and Sydney Dance Company.
The Rockhampton regional event was adjudicated by Samantha Simpson. The involvement of experienced dance professionals gave participating students an opportunity to receive feedback and perform within a structured regional program.
The Shirley Treacy Awards are named after Shirley Treacy OAM, a Townsville-born ballet teacher, Royal Academy of Dance examiner and Life Member. The annual program continues her association with dance education and aims to expand opportunities for young dancers in regional Queensland.
The 2026 regional program also recognised the contribution of teachers, families, volunteers and local communities supporting participating students.
For Rockhampton's dance community, the event provided an opportunity for young performers to take part in a statewide program without needing to rely solely on metropolitan competitions and training opportunities.
The recognition also highlights the role of regional arts programs in giving young Queensland performers access to professional instruction, performance experience and potential pathways for continued dance training.
The awards announcement was published on September 16, 2026, following the regional events held during August and September and the overall online finals held on September 12.
Rockhampton was one of four Queensland regional locations involved in this year's Shirley Treacy Awards program, making the city part of a statewide initiative supporting young dancers and dance education.
RegionalDanceProgramAwardsRockhampton
Young dancers from Rockhampton and other regional Queensland communities have been recognised through the 2026 Shirley Treacy Awards, an annual program supporting dance education and performance opportunities outside major metropolitan centres.
A regional event was held in Rockhampton as part of this year's program, alongside events in Townsville, Cairns and Mackay. The events gave students from regional communities the opportunity to participate in dance classes, perform solo routines and work with experienced dance professionals.
The Rockhampton event was one of four regional stages in the 2026 program. Students who progressed from the regional events became eligible for the overall finals, where their recorded solo performances were assessed by experienced figures from Australia's professional dance sector.
The overall finals were presented online on September 12. The judging panel included former Australian Ballet artistic director David McAllister and former Australian Ballet principal artist Fiona Tonkin.
The program recognises dancers across several training levels. Awards were presented in three categories: Grade 4 and 5; Intermediate Foundation and Intermediate; and Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2.
The 2026 award recipients included Matthew Wingham, Ashley Ekert and Cayden Connors, who received awards across the different levels. Other finalists received runner-up and encouragement awards.
Scholarship opportunities were also provided to four finalists. The opportunities included training support connected with the Academy of Queensland Ballet, The Australian Ballet School and Sydney Dance Company.
The Rockhampton regional event was adjudicated by Samantha Simpson. The involvement of experienced dance professionals gave participating students an opportunity to receive feedback and perform within a structured regional program.
The Shirley Treacy Awards are named after Shirley Treacy OAM, a Townsville-born ballet teacher, Royal Academy of Dance examiner and Life Member. The annual program continues her association with dance education and aims to expand opportunities for young dancers in regional Queensland.
The 2026 regional program also recognised the contribution of teachers, families, volunteers and local communities supporting participating students.
For Rockhampton's dance community, the event provided an opportunity for young performers to take part in a statewide program without needing to rely solely on metropolitan competitions and training opportunities.
The recognition also highlights the role of regional arts programs in giving young Queensland performers access to professional instruction, performance experience and potential pathways for continued dance training.
The awards announcement was published on September 16, 2026, following the regional events held during August and September and the overall online finals held on September 12.
Rockhampton was one of four Queensland regional locations involved in this year's Shirley Treacy Awards program, making the city part of a statewide initiative supporting young dancers and dance education.
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