The Rock Eisteddfod Podcast

After 40 years of the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge, we look back at the schools from NSW and their performances that have entertained and thrilled us over the years. Every school all over the country as well should also be congratulated and proud of their success.

Since our high school’s debut entry into the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge in 1998, the competition in the Open Division prior to that year proved nothing short of entertaining, with Terrigal High School, Smith's Hill High School and Engadine High School being awarded the top gong. Here are three of the Sydney Open Division champions who not only won first place but were also judged on National Television. Surprisingly, these winning themes are American-based, ranging from the last heir apparent to the throne of the Hawaiian Kingdom (1999 = Northmead High School, Hawaii's Last Hope), a tragic tale about a Gay American murder victim (2003 = Colyton High School, Forever Young: The Matt Shepherd Story), and one of the most recognized figures during the Civil Rights era (2009 = Sutherland PCYC, Rosa Parks: Woman Of Colour).https://youtu.be/K-v0wxe8Xoshttps://youtu.be/B4Fe3LvaLlghttps://youtu.be/qFVHK1lRLpI

Since 1984, the State, Regional and five Wildcard finalists who were in the running for National TV Winners were judged by the three major categories of Design, Performance, and Drama/Production - but there is a difference between the live events and the TV special. The judges adjudicating the performances judged them from a TV perspective. The seventh and last of the three schools that were worthy TV champions had themes ranging from a bizarre cult film (2007 = Randwick Boys and Girls High School; Tank Girl – NSW), a controversial yet powerful concept of feminism (2008 = St. Columba's College, Melbourne; Women's Rites – VIC), and a piece taken from an old tale by John Steinbeck (2009 = Mackellar Girls High School; The Grapes of Wrath – NSW).https://youtu.be/NEBe5UktsSA https://youtu.be/yZ2Bx8hQ-SYhttps://youtu.be/yZ2Bx8hQ-SY

Since 1984, the State, Regional and five Wildcard finalists who were in the running for National TV Winners were judged by the three major categories of Design, Performance, and Drama/Production - but there is a difference between the live events and the TV special. The judges adjudicating the performances judged them from a TV perspective. The sixth of the three schools that were worthy TV champions had themes ranging from a Chinese film that few had seen or heard of (2004 = Northmead High School; Sword of Qin - NSW), Northmead’s historical place in history with a completely contemporary take on an overused concept (2005 = Northmead High School; Sins: Vice or Virtue - NSW), and a cleverly addressing of September 11 as a representation of fear within society (2006 = St. Columba's College; Fear Or No Fear - VIC).https://youtu.be/rjiFe_3fzxshttps://youtu.be/vo1KkBwLKpUhttps://youtu.be/2GaxnvRBFZs

Since 1984, the State, Regional and five Wildcard finalists who were in the running for National TV Winners were judged by the three major categories of Design, Performance, and Drama/Production - but there is a difference between the live events and the TV special. The judges adjudicating the performances judged them from a TV perspective. The fifth of the three schools that were worthy TV champions had themes ranging from a moving story of dislocation and the power of remembrance in the face of change in the middle of the Russian Revolution (2001 = Terrigal High School, Matryoshka - NSW); a faithful retelling of the classic, critically acclaimed novel by Harper Lee and Oscar-winning film (2002 = Randwick Boys and Girls High School, to Kill a Mockingbird – NSW); and a relevant social and political issue (2003 = St. Columba's College, Melbourne; Cabaret Australia - VIC).https://youtu.be/NTivYsZbOgEhttps://youtu.be/IQXyBk85wg4https://youtu.be/aQyGCwT6utY

Since 1984, the State, Regional and five Wildcard finalists who were in the running for National TV Winners were judged by the three major categories of Design, Performance, and Drama/Production - but there is a difference between the live events and the TV special. The judges adjudicating the performances judged them from a TV perspective. The fourth three schools that were worthy TV champions had themes ranging from a prehistoric adventure (1998 = Diamond Valley College; Safari - VIC), an original journey of mankind’s destiny (1999 = Engadine High School; The Time Machine - NSW), and - arguably the greatest Rock Eisteddfod performance ever - an ancient story of love gone wrong (2000 = Bomaderry High School; The Willow Pattern - NSW).https://youtu.be/I-AlzoyRXzghttps://youtu.be/OkBfc_xgzTAhttps://youtu.be/QnJ_dPxBg5U

Since 1984, the State, Regional and five Wildcard finalists who were in the running for National TV Winners were judged by the three major categories of Design, Performance, and Drama/Production - but there is a difference between the live events and the TV special. The judges adjudicating the performances judged them from a TV perspective. The third three schools that were worthy TV champions had themes ranging from an Australian outlaw (1995 = Rooty Hill High School; Blaze of Glory - NSW), an journey to an art gallery opening as artworks come to life (1996 = Pymble Ladies College; The Gallery Of Life - NSW), and a period of time in the French Revolution (1997 = Toronto High School; Let Them Eat Cake - NSW).https://youtu.be/Bg3JtLNIHM8https://youtu.be/6ua0zxagpB4https://youtu.be/jrHAjNzJddA

Since 1984, the State, Regional and five Wildcard finalists who were in the running for National TV Winners were judged by the three major categories of Design, Performance, and Drama/Production - but there is a difference between the live events and the TV special. The judges adjudicating the performances judged them from a TV perspective. The second three schools that were worthy TV champions had themes ranging from a former US President (1992 = Belmont High School; JFK - VIC), a Romeo-and-Juliet inspired Scottish fable (Rooty Hill High School; Clash of the Tartans - NSW), and the King of Pop (1994 = St. Columba's College, Melbourne; Mediogre - VIC).https://youtu.be/yC27cz78_fUhttps://youtu.be/grim2RbueiUhttps://youtu.be/K7kZyr1hdVM

Since 1984, the State, Regional and five Wildcard finalists who were in the running for National TV Winners were judged by the three major categories of Design, Performance, and Drama/Production - but there is a difference between the live events and the TV special. The judges adjudicating the performances judged them from a TV perspective. The first three schools that were worthy TV champions had themes ranging from an art like concept with attitude (1988 = Sarah Redfern High School; Culprits - NSW), tradition vs technology in Japan (1990 = St. Columba's College, Melbourne; Vivid Changes - VIC), and a biblical story of forgiveness (1991 = de la Salle College, Ashfield; The Prodigal Son - NSW).https://youtu.be/UwjfrdQ5Enshttps://youtu.be/vrO2wMJqRMQhttps://youtu.be/OXr8RbF138M