About AIDA Inc
The Australian Irish Dancing Association Incorporated (AIDA Inc) is incorporated in New South Wales under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009.
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The membership of AIDA Inc consists of Irish dance teachers and adjudicators registered with An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG) - Dublin, Ireland, as well as the individual State/Territory branches representing Irish dancing across Australia.
The key objectives of the association are:
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to bring about the co-operation between recognised associations, societies, individuals and groups interested in Irish Dancing
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to implement and enforce the rules of CLRG subject to such modifications as may be necessary to meet local conditions
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to conduct the annual Australian National Irish Dancing Championship
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to liaise nationally and internationally with all relevant bodies and associations
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to advise and support regional branches and to enhance open communications between the States
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to encourage the teaching of techniques of Irish dancing as advocated by CLRG
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to be the Australian liaison with CLRG
Meet the 2023 & 2024 AIDA Inc Council and Officers
The elected National Council of AIDA Inc consists of Executive Members, Regional Members representing their State or Territory, a Public Officer, Assistants and any other members the Association members elect or appoint.
QLD State Delegate
Clare McNeill-Arnall ADCRG
WA State Delegate
Caitríona Slane TCRG
Returning Officer and Webmaster
Margaret Dempsey TCRG
Public Officer
Glenys Ritchie TCRG
Patron and Founding Member
Janice Currie Henderson SDCRG OAM
Founding Member
Catherine Cosgriff SDCRG
NSW State Delegate
Jonty Moore TCRG
ACT State Delegate
Caroline O'Driscoll TCRG
VIC State Delegate
Conor Ayres ADCRG
SA/TAS/NT
State Delegate
Kelli-Rai Howden ADCRG
Secretary
Chris Carswell ADCRG
Assistant Secretary
James McEvoy-May TCRG
Treasurer
Ann Truman TMRF
Assistant Treasurer
Kate Woodward TCRG
President
Jennifer Bird TCRG
Vice President
Catherine Cosgriff SDCRG
Vice President
Hilary McKenna ADCRG
1890’s - 1950’s
By the early 1900’s, Irish Dancing was gaining momentum in New South Wales, with classes being established in Sydney in the late 1890’s.
1n 1932, Victoria was the first Association in the world to have its own rule book listing strict guidelines for the wearing of Irish Dance costumes where no individuality was allowed.
Gradually each of the states formed Associations. Formal organisations were established as late as the 1950s in Queensland, ACT later still, and Western Australia a relative newcomer by comparison.
History of AIDA Inc
1960’s
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Prior to 1968 various interstate and national competitions were held throughout the Irish Dancing community, quite often alternating between Sydney and Melbourne, and often including Hurling, Gaelic Football, Athletics and Pipe Band competitions along with the Irish Dancing Championships.
It was Sean Gilroy, living in Sydney in 1968, who formally entered into discussions with Tomás Ó Faircheallaigh (Tom Farrelly), Chairman of the Irish Dancing Commission in Dublin. Through their combined efforts, and with the encouragement of the Australian teachers, the Australian Irish Dancing Association was formed. Sean Gilroy was the first President.
Irish Dancing began its Australian journey in each state independently, until formally uniting in 2004 when the Australian Irish Dancing Association Inc was incorporated.
It is unclear as to when exactly Irish Dancing first arrived in Australia, but there is evidence to suggest that Irish Dancing existed as early as the late 1800’s, including exhibitions that took place in the goldfields.
1980’s
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This decade started off with a bang when the first Australian won the World Irish Dancing Championships in 1980.
The 1980s saw the adjudicators sitting in full view of the public and dancers, holding up scorecards from the hall as these simple cards determined the fate of the dancers who had just completed.
Dancers paraded dressed in their beautifully embroidered costumes, emblazoned with Celtic designs, crocheted collars and sometimes cuffs, simple shawls and not a diamante in sight.
There was a choice of two shoes - Salvios in Sydney and Geonne’s soft shoes in Adelaide. Some relatives when returning from holidays in Ireland would bring back a pair of “real” Irish shoes.
Through the interval act of the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, 'Riverdance' introduced the world at large to Irish Dance and the phenomena of Irish Dance shows was born.
To have so many Australian Irish Dancers featured in all the major dance shows performing around the world is testament to the teachers and dancers of Australia who have and continue to produce a community of world-class performers.
2000’s
This is the new era of Irish Dance!
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The Australian Irish Dancing Association (AIDA) was incorporated in 2004 and included all States and Territories. The inaugural general meeting was held on 13th November 2004 where the first executive was appointed:
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Elizabeth Lewis – President
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Carmel Doyle – Vice President
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Gabrielle Hall – Vice President
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Genevieve Carroll – Secretary
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Cathy Siedel – Treasurer
The national council of AIDA Inc, responsible for the operations of the association, was made up of the Executive and a delegate from all member States and Territories (ACT, NSW, QLD, SA/NT, VIC/TAS, and WA). The membership of AIDA Inc was made of Teachers and Adjudicators registered with An Coimisiún le Rince Gaelacha and together are responsible for fostering the cooperation of Irish Dancing organisations in Australia and across the world and for the organisation of The Australian National Championships.
In 2014, AIDA Inc introduced a new international competition to their calendar and hosted the first Australian International Oireachtas. This competition is an annual favourite, being hosted on the Gold Coast during the Australian winter months.
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We can marvel at how Irish Dance continues to spread its influence globally, how it constantly evolves and how this ‘living culture’ that we love so much and how it plays an important role in the lives of so many.
Boys stopped wearing kilts and girls’ skirts continually changed, from large panels, to triple layered ra ra's, to tulle tutus and thick bubble skirts.
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Recent years have seen the resurgence of early traditional dances blending with the current day trends, which have exploded onto the world stage.
Our very own Australian children’s entertainment group, the Wiggles, have always included Irish Dance in their shows and now even more so with the introduction of the Yellow Wiggle, Miss Emma – who is injecting a new level of enthusiasm with her love of Irish Dance strongly woven into the shows. Along with the other colourful Wiggles – Purple, Blue and Red, the tradition of Irish Dance is integrated into the homes of every child, through television and live shows.
The world of social media is a wonderful way to connect all parts of the Irish Dance World. Our dancers continue to be inspired by the international success of the nine Australian solo dancers and six teams who have been crowned as World Champions. These dancers not only represent excellence in our art form, but they are a shining example of what is possible for Australian dancers to achieve.
The first Australian Championships were held in Melbourne in 1968. The first convention was held at the Irish National Association Centre in Sydney in January 1969.
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In 1969, Tomás Ó Faircheallaigh and Marie Walsh (an examiner) made the trip to Australia to attend a special general meeting held on 5 September 1969 in Sydney. There were delegates from Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales in attendance. Tom and Marie then went on to adjudicate the 2nd Australian Championships and conduct the first Australian exams in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide in September 1969.
1970’s
The 1970s, saw the introduction of the first World Irish Dancing Championship organised by An Coimisiún le Rince Gaelacha. There was solo, ceili and figure dancing and the introduction of the Dance Drama Championship. A team of dancers was able to portray an Irish theme or story through dance, performing to music of Irish origin and the dancers were able to wear costumes that complemented the story that they were telling.
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The second convention was held at St Matthews, North Fawkner, Victoria on 24 and 25 January 1970. At this convention the Executive for the National Body was elected for the following year – Mary Barrett – President, Catherine Cosgriff – Secretary, Bernadette Touhy – Treasurer. The “National Body” each year was the executive of the State that was hosting the Championships.
1990’s
The 1990s were Australia's Irish Dance boom time. Around the globe, Irish Dance shows began hitting the world stage, while at home in Australia, the Wiggles also began featuring Irish Dance in videos and at concerts. Irish Dance seemed to be everywhere and Australian kids jumped on board.
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Choreography underwent dramatic reform. The 90s also heralded major changes in dance costumes.
For the first time, our National Championships were hosted in Perth and the presence of our dancers at the World Championships flourished.
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Arguably one of the biggest influences of change in Irish Dancing in Australia during the 1990s was the birth of Irish Dance shows.
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Order of Australia Medal (OAM) Recipients
World Championship Honourees
Janice Currie-Henderson OAM SDCRG
Received the Order of Australia Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honour list in 2019 for her lifetime of service to Irish Dancing.
Margaret Atkinson OAM ADCRG
Received the Order of Australia Medal in the Australia Day Honour list in January 2018 for her lifetime of service to Irish Dancing.
Catherine Cosgriff SDCRG and Janice Currie-Henderson OAM SDCRG
Honoured at the 2018 CLRG World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.
Glasgow 2007
Margaret Atkinson SA
Catherine Cosgriff VIC
Jan Currie-Henderson NSW
Trish Williams QLD
Philadelphia 2009
Jan Berne NSW
Margaret Dempsey VIC
Carmel Doyle SA
Gabrielle Hall VIC
Vicki Lynagh QLD
Deirdre Murphy SA
Christine Portbury QLD
Brendan Tiernan NSW
Maureen Whelan NSW
Boston 2013
Kathryn Challen SA
Mary Cunningham QLD
Ann Derwent NSW
Geraldine French NSW
Mary Grantham VIC
Kathleen McAleer VIC
Alison Pickett SA
Peggy Walker QLD
“These awards are made in recognition of a lifetime working diligently to safeguard and preserve Ár Rincí Gaelacha and also to acknowledge and appreciate their contribution to An Coimisiún”
Gradam Awards
1980 - Fiona - Gaye Snowden (15 - 17 Years Ladies - Ransley NSW)
1996 - Conor Hayes (Senior Mens - Cosgriff VIC)
2006 - Shaun Higgins (Men 17 - 18 Years - Scoil Rince Aisling NSW)
2006 - Nicole Zepcevski (Senior Ladies - Scoil Rince Aisling NSW)
2014 - Ceili Moore (Under 20 Ladies - Fiona Gaye Moore NSW)
2015 - Conor Simpson (Under 21 Mens - Simpson ACT)
2018 - Liam Costello (Under 16 Boys - McGahan Lees Creer UK/NSW)
2018 - Jonty Moore (Under 20 Men - Fiona Gaye-Moore NSW)
2019 - Liam Costello (Under 17 Boys - McGahan Lees Creer UK/NSW)
2022 - Liam Costello (Under 20 Men - McGahan Lees Creer UK/NSW)
2023 - Liam Costello (Under 21 Men - McGahan Lees Creer UK/NSW)
2023 - Dara McAleer and Liam Costello (Freestyle Competition Winners)
2024 - Vaughan Cooper (Under 21 Men - WA Academy WA)
2024 - Liam Costello (Over 21 Men - McGahan Lees Creer UK/NSW)
Australian Solo World Champions
1979 - Ransley Studio NSW (Own Choreography)
1979 - Ransley Studio NSW (Dance Drama)
1984 - Chase Academy QLD (Dance Drama)
2012 - Christine Ayres School VIC (Senior Girls Figure Dance Over 16)
2012 - Christine Ayres School VIC (Senior Mixed Figure Dance Over 16)
2018 - Christine Ayres School VIC (Mixed Figure Over 13)
2024 - Christine Ayres School VIC (Senior Mixed 8 hand Ceili)
Australian Ceili (Team) World Champions
AIDA Inc Life Members
Margaret Atkinson OAM ADCRG
Christine Ayres ADCRG
Raymond Ayres ADCRG
Mary Barrett (dec) ADCRG
Sue Beaton (dec) ADCRG
Jan Berne SDCRG
Jennifer Bird TCRG
Glenalee Bromilow ADCRG
Donna Reilly-Cannon ADCRG
Genevieve Carroll ADCRG
Kathryn Challen ADCRG
Anne Marie Clarence TCRG
Charmaine Chase ADCRG
Helen Conway ADCRG
Catherine Cosgriff SDCRG
Susan Crombie ADCRG
Val Crowley ADCRG
Janice Currie-Henderson OAM SDCRG
Margaret Dempsey TCRG
Patsy Denneny (dec) ADCRG
Ann Derwent ADCRG
Carmel Doyle SDCRG
Teresa Fenton TCRG
Heather Fraser TCRG
Sean Gilroy (dec) ADCRG
Mary Grantham ADCRG
Elizabeth Gregory ADCRG
Gabrielle Hall SDCRG
Donna Halloran ADCRG
Kate Hartley ADCRG
Bernadette Helbig TCRG
Kelli-Rai Howden ADCRG
Elizabeth Howe ADCRG
Yvette Jackson ADCRG
Dorn Kelly TCRG
Elizabeth Lewis SDCRG
Margaret Lahl TCRG
Jacinta Lardner ADCRG
Vicki Lynagh ADCRG
Maria Maher TCRG
Charmaine May ADCRG
Kathleen McAleer ADCRG
Deirdre McGorry TCRG
Joan McGrath ADCRG
Leonie McHardy ADCRG
Patricia McMenamin ADCRG
Jackie Miller TCRG
Deirdre Murphy ADCRG
Rose O'Brien ADCRG
Yvonne O’Brien (dec) ADCRG
Geraldine O’Shea-Ryan ADCRG
Breeda Peirce ADCRG
Alison Pickett TCRG
Ciara Podesta TCRG
Christine Portbury SDCRG
Monica Poulton ADCRG
Anna Rabusin ADCRG
Nicola Rochford TCRG
Josie Ryan (dec) ADCRG
Cathy Seidel TCRG
Frances Stokes TCRG
Brendan Tiernan ADCRG
Rosemary Theisz ADCRG
Kathryn Trenholme TCRG
Bernadette Touhy ADCRG
Bernadette Weeks ADCRG
Patsy Wicking ADCRG
Maureen Whelan (dec) SDCRG
Patricia Williams ADCRG
Jacqueline Wilson Associate
Honorary