HERE’S TO THE DAME OF THE EISTEDDFOD

JUDITH Ferber is celebrating her 37th year as the manager of the Gold Coast Eisteddfod.

What began in 1982 as part of Tropicarnival, the city’s first ever festival, the Eisteddfod has grown to become the largest competition of its kind in the country, largely due to Ms Ferber’s tireless dedication to doing what she loves.

Ms Ferber (pictured) said the Eisteddfod had started with 600 competitors 37 years ago and its growth was in part thanks to an increase in the popularity of school dance programs.

Last year, more than 70,000 competitors took to the stage in 575 sections over seven weeks.

Apart from individual entrants, around 158 primary and secondary schools and more than 70 dance studios have participated in sections which include solo and dance group, piano, strings, brass and wind, instrumental groups, bands, orchestras, vocal, choral and young people with disabilities.

The Gold Coast Eisteddfod has been on since July and will run until September 13 at HOTA and the Robina and Albert Waterways Community Centres.