Dance Unlimited, celebrating its 25th year of competing in the groups competition at the Eisteddfod, took out a swag of awards at the group dance day on Sunday. 

Dancers from the Mudgee studio claimed the Best Junior Group and Junior Group Encouragement Awards, and the Best Senior Group and Senior Group Encouragement Award. 

Gulgong Step Up Dance Academy also celebrated a milestone, having competed in the Eisteddfod for 10 years. 

The dance section of the Eisteddfod has attracted competitors from 11 different studios, with dancers coming from Bathurst, Dubbo, Cowra, Kelso, Marrangaroo, Wallerawang and Littleton as well as Mudgee and Gulgong. 

Volunteer Louise Butlin said the event attracted 852 competitors on Sunday and 359 audience members and has continued to attract audiences through the week. 

“We’ve tried a new ticket system which has helped us to keep better statistics and people have been happy to come,” she said. 

“I think that this Eisteddfod is one of the best I have ever been to. 

“The calibre of the dancers in this region is very high and the Eisteddfod is strongly supported by the dance schools. 

“It’s also good for local businesses because a lot of people stay locally.” 

Louise said that as a volunteer, she enjoyed seeing the dancers’ development as they returned each year, as well as the friendships which formed among the dancers. 

A highlight of this year’s Eisteddfod was the final performance of local dancer Georgie Fabian, who has been competing in Gulgong since she was six years old. 

Another regular competitor, Oliver Sievers, will also make his final appearances at the Eisteddfod this week. 

The Gulgong Eisteddfod continues today and tomorrow, with championship classes to be held tonight and Saturday morning. 

Students and children are admitted free.