At rock bottom

THE loss of the annual Rock Eisteddfod Challenge is a travesty of justice for students, says a local principal.
Organisers announced this month they have cancelled this year’s event, citing reduced financial support from areas of government and the corporate sector as the reason to call off the national performing arts event. Hampton Park Secondary College has been finalists of the event several times, and principal David Finnerty said it was a great shame it was cancelled.
The Coalition has announced it would commit $800,000 during the next four years to ensure the music and dance event would continue.
“I don’t want to play party politics, I think it’s above party politics. We’re talking about future leading citizens in our community,” Mr Finnerty said.
“And in a community such as ours where you have reputation that isn’t necessarily earned and warranted, but one of being disengaged, and to remove something that engages positively across such a broad spectrum is a travesty of justice,” he said.
Hampton Park Secondary College arts co-ordinator Max Stephan said the Rock Eisteddfod was an excellent collaborative learning event, where students of varied ages worked together with a common goal. Lyndhurst Secondary College PE co-ordinator Catherine Blackburne said she was devastated when she heard the news, as she participated in the challenge as a student at school and now as a teacher.
South Eastern Metropolitan MP Inga Peulich said many students, parents, teachers and school had been left in limbo.
“Hundreds of young Victorians and local Casey students are going to miss out on this year’s Rock Eisteddfod because the Brumby Government won’t come to the party,” Ms Peulich said. But a government spokesman said Minister for Youth Affairs, James Merlino, would meet with the Rock Eisteddfod organisers to discuss future plans for the event.
“The Victorian Government has an existing contract to provide the Rock Eisteddfod challenge with $112,000 in 2010. This contract is being honoured and builds upon the more than $1 million we have provided this event.”