Locals graduate from NAISDA

Several local residents have celebrated their graduation from NAISDA, Australia's leading Indigenous performing arts college, on Friday, April 11.

The ceremony was held at the Gosford Regional Gallery in the grounds of the Japanese gardens, East Gosford.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts Mr Peter Garrett, Member for Robertson Ms Belinda Neal and artist and NAISDA graduate Ms Christine Anu were among those presenting awards and enjoying traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island dance and music performed by NAISDA's young developing artists.

"Last year's young Australian of the year Ms Tania Major gave the keynote speech and the Minister congratulated the graduates on their fine achievements, as did Ms Neal," NAISDA spokesperson Ms Jennifer Dakers said.

"NAISDA is one of the most significant cultural and learning institutions in Australia," Ms Neal said.

"We are privileged to have the college here on the Central Coast.

"I pay tribute to Kim Walker and his staff for creating an environment here at NAISDA where creativity, passion and talent can combine."

The NAISDA dance college opened in 1975 and moved to Mt Penang Parklands in September 2006 after more than 10 years at The Rocks in Sydney.

Press release, 11 Apr 2008 Jennifer Dakers, NAISDA