* Please note, this event has now moved to the Earl Arts Centre*

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Join us for an insightful and delightful morning as we go into Conversation with one of Launceston's most well-known and well-loved theatre identities - Margaret East OAM.

With an association to the Launceston Competitions stretching back to 1947 (74 years? Impossible!), Margaret has borne witness to some incredible changes in the northern Tasmanian theatre scene.

From Margaret: "My association with Launceston Competitions commenced in 1947 when I was dressed in full Highland Dancing gear and photographed at the Competitions ‘for fun’. I then competed in Highland Dancing sections from when I was 8 years old.

I can well remember dancing at the National Theatre, going up the laneway beside Gluskie’s electrical business and being kept off the side of the stage by the strict committee ladies. There was a huge iron sliding door that separated the stage area from the waiting area.

As well as learning Highland from Joan O’Neill and Pat Anderson I was also taught ballet by Miss Joan Burnett at Broadland House school buildings in Lyttleton Street. I passed some ballet examinations but did not continue with that form of dance as long as I did Highland.

When my teacher was forced to retire for health reasons my friend, Gaye Anderson and I took over the class and went on to teach Highland and National to many boys and girls for 52 years. We did try to retire a couple of times but were requested to come back. We had a very happy class of students with a very supportive parent group and still keep in touch with many of them.

As a dance teacher I was approached to join the Competitions Committee which was then under the leadership of Mr. Edward Wesley (Secretary) and Mr. Lewis Bardenhagen (President). Both these gentlemen taught at Launceston High School where I worked in the office as a clerical assistant. As time went on Mr. Wesley asked me to help him by typing entries and material for the competitions and when time came for him to retire in 1980 I was elected Joint Secretary with Brian Roe.

Since Brian moved on I have been the Secretary ably assisted by a series of Assistant Secretaries and a wonderfully supportive committee. Although the workload gets heavy sometimes I have thoroughly enjoyed these years and am proud that Launceston Competitions is still being held, attracting entries for all genre and continuing to be quite a tradition in Launceston."

Please come along for the Conversation, and stay for a wonderful morning tea provided by the Friends of Theatre North Social Committee.

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Entry is free to Friends of Theatre North.