Conditions of Entry

To avoid disqualification – please read all conditions of entry carefully. Competitors, teachers, parents and guardians will be regarded as being conversant with the rules of the Society. Lack of knowledge will not be accepted as a valid reason for the infringement of any rule. Any queries please contact the Co-ordinator of the section.

Adjudication

The Committee reserves the right to arrange for adjudication by a person at any time, whether this person has been named or appointed Official Adjudicator or not.
Communication with the Adjudicator either by entrants, teachers or other interested parties during the Eisteddfod is strictly prohibited and the Committee reserves the right to disqualify any entrant for breach of this rule.
Decisions of the Adjudicator must be accepted as final, unless a protest is lodged, in which case the decision of the Committee will be final.
A detailed adjudication report will be available to all competitors in all classes except for Improvisation classes. Reports will be ready for collection at the conclusion of the following class or session. Parents of competitors under the age of 13 are kindly asked to collect and sign for their own/child’s reports.
Any reports not collected by the end of the Eisteddfod event may be destroyed.

Age Limit

In all competitions subject to age limit, the age shall be taken as of 31 December in the year of the Eisteddfod.
The Committee reserves the right to call upon any competitor to provide proof of age.
Entrants must perform in only events applicable to their age unless an event has no age specified.

Amateurs

This competition is open to amateurs only i.e. people who do not derive their major income from performance.

Backstage Rules

No person, other than competitors in current class, will be allowed backstage.
No competitor will be permitted backstage unless competing in the current class.
No prompting or assistance of any kind is permitted during a performance, except by the Adjudicator. Coaching or prompting from the wings is strictly prohibited.
Dressing rooms and amenities are to be left clean and tidy.
For the safety of performers and to protect the stage surface (tarkett) the use of any materials that may pose a hazard is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, glitter, bubbles, feathers, paint or any other substance that could cause slipping, staining or damage either on stage or side stage.
Props stored backstage must not obstruct passageways and must be removed from the backstage area as soon as possible after the performance.
No curtain will be used for any Dance Solo/Duo/Trio performance.

Child Protection

All teachers, support staff, and appointed volunteers involved in dance group activities at the Riverside Eisteddfod, held at the Riverside Civic Theatre (Civic Theatre), must have their Working With Children Check (WWCC) registrations verified by the Riverside Eisteddfod Society Inc. WWCC’s must be current and all verifications must be completed by 20 May 2026. Verification must be completed on time: late requests will not be considered, and only those verified by the due date will be granted access to areas where interaction with children occurs.
Due to child protection policies, no photography is allowed of performers onstage or dressing room areas.
Unauthorised recordings will be required to be deleted and offenders may be asked to leave the venue.

Competitors

Competitors must be ready to compete in the section and order in which their names appear in the Program.
Competitors who fail to appear at the time scheduled in the Program will not be eligible to compete.
All competitors must register. In Own Choice classes, competitors must hand one copy of the selected item to the Registration Clerk at least 15 minutes prior to the commencement of the class.
Competitors competing in more than one class must not repeat the same routine or item.
No person may take the place of another person in the Program.
Any competitor who has been taught, coached or advised by the Adjudicator in the six months prior to the opening date of the Riverside Eisteddfod shall be ineligible to compete in that particular section.
Once a competitor has withdrawn from a class, they will not be permitted to re-enter the same class in the current Eisteddfod.

Content

Offensive, racist, sexually suggestive or derogatory language/text/lyrics/movements etc. will not be tolerated in any sections. If the content of the performance is deemed to be unsuitable by the Committee or an Adjudicator, the performance will be stopped, and the competitor disqualified. If you are unsure, please work to a ‘G’ rating.

Correspondence

All correspondence dealing with entries must be addressed to the Co-ordinators:

Dance– Judy Roots, secretary@dubboeisteddfod.org.au
Vocal/Choral – Barbara Redgrave, music@dubboeisteddfod.org.au
Instrumental – Lyndal Elder and Kimberley Pearson, music@dubboeisteddfod.org.au

Electrical Equipment

All electrical equipment brought into the performance venues must be checked by a certified person prior to the Eisteddfod and have a current electrical tag in place. Any electrical equipment not meeting the Work, Health and Safety guidelines will not be allowed to be used.

Entries And Alterations

The Comps-Online system for entries in 2026 will enable you to make all your entries online in one transaction. To enter, go to the eisteddfod website and follow the Comps-Online link.
Entries are accepted in accordance with the Conditions of Entry for the Riverside Eisteddfod. Participants must read and comply with both the general Conditions of Entry and the specific rules and conditions for each category and event.
Only one entry is allowed in each class for each competitor in solos.
MUSIC: In Duo/Trio sections where two or more people are competing in combination, a competitor may compete in more than one combination in the same section twice only.
DANCE: In Duo/Trio sections, a competitor may appear in up to two routines, but each routine must be with a different partner. The same partnership cannot perform twice.
Entry fees are not refundable except when an event is cancelled. Entry fees cannot be transferred to another event should the entrants change their mind after the Program is complete.
Competitors with a disability are encouraged to enter. Please contact the Co-ordinator to discuss requirements.
Acceptance of an entry by the Eisteddfod Committee is conditional upon the competitor agreeing that their name may be published in the Eisteddfod Program, in results published in the media and on the Riverside Eisteddfod website and Riverside Eisteddfod Social pages.
Competitors must be present at the beginning of the session as withdrawals may alter the order of appearance. Due to this, it is unwise to anticipate exact performance times.
Please review your entries carefully – no alterations or additional entries will be accepted after the close of entries on 15 March 2026.

Good Sportsmanship

It is expected that children are well supervised by parents/carers/responsible adults to ensure that appropriate and respectful behaviours occur at all times, especially when inside the auditorium and theatre during performances.
Good sportsmanship is expected from all competitors towards each other.
Any person or persons found to be intimidating any competitor, Committee member or volunteer will be escorted from the venue and may be barred from further attendance at the Eisteddfod.
In the spirit of good sportsmanship, it is expected that all performers are encouraged and supported by the entire audience.
Loud or inappropriate audience behaviour will be openly addressed at the discretion of the Adjudicator.
Verbal grievances/complaints to individual committee members, volunteers, performers or parents are not in the spirit of the Eisteddfod competition and will not be tolerated and could lead to exclusion from any further participation in the Eisteddfod.

Lost Property

The Eisteddfod Society accepts no responsibility for lost or damaged property.
Items found will be posted on the Eisteddfod Society’s Facebook page for identification.
It is the owner's responsibility to arrange collection of their lost items.
The Eisteddfod Society will not post or deliver any found property.

Music – Accompanists

No official accompanist will be available for vocal and instrumental classes. Competitors are responsible for arranging their own accompanist. All negotiations are between the competitor and the accompanist.
The grand piano will be in a predetermined position on the stage and is not to be moved at any time during a section or session unless permission is granted by the Adjudicator and/or Co-ordinator.

Music – Recorded Accompaniments/Backing Tracks

All music for backing tracks, recorded accompaniments and Dance must be registered and uploaded on Music Uploads.
Competitors will be notified of the date for commencing uploads as soon as it becomes available.

Music – Sheet Music

It is important that all competitors and teachers realise their responsibilities regarding laws under the Australian Copyright Act. Copyright – except where a licensed copy has been obtained, all royalty and copyright payments and liabilities are the responsibility of the Competitor.

Vocal/Instrumental competitors must hand one copy of the score (with bar numbers) to the Registration Clerk at least fifteen minutes prior to the commencement of the class as well as the Copyright Declaration Form completed, listing all pieces being performed by the competitor.
Competitors must clearly show on the front of the score in the top right-hand corner – class number, competitor number and item name. If two pieces are required, the copy must clearly show piece one and piece two.
The Copyright Declaration form will need to be signed and given to the Registration Clerk when the competitor first performs at the Eisteddfod. It will then be filed.
The Committee accepts no responsibility for the loss or damage to any music or paper.
If work is original, please add a post-it note and state ‘Not Subject to Copyright’.
The original is to be used by the competitor. All photocopies will be destroyed by the Eisteddfod Committee after use.
The necessary form can be found on the Riverside Eisteddfod website the eisteddfod website
Licensing enquiries – 1300 162 162, welcome@onemusic.com.au, www.onemusic.com.au The Riverside Eisteddfod Committee will not be liable for any copyright infringements relating to the submissions of photocopies. Competitors submit copies at their own risk.

Photography

Due to legal requirements related to privacy and child protection, the use of cameras or recording devices by individuals is strictly prohibited at our events.
It is the responsibility of the competitor, parent, carer or school representatives to inform any visiting media outlet e.g. local Photo News or Daily Liberal reporter and photographer, if photographs are not to be taken of specific competitors.
It is the responsibility of the competitor, parent, carer or school representatives to inform the Eisteddfod Committee if photographs taken by a committee member, before and after a performance, are not to be taken of specific competitors.
Photos and/or video etc. taken by Committee members may be posted on the Riverside Eisteddfod social media pages and website.
It is the responsibility of schools to inform and remind parents, family members and friends, unauthorised recording and sharing of images or videos of children may violate child protection laws and potentially place a child at risk.
Due to child protection policies, no photography is allowed of performers onstage or dressing room areas.
Unauthorised recordings will be required to be deleted and offenders may be asked to leave the venue.
The Eisteddfod committee may at times approve the appointment of a professional photographer to record performances.

Policy Statement

The Riverside Eisteddfod encourages open and positive ongoing communication and sharing of ideas between Committee and the community participating in the Riverside Eisteddfod event. Feedback and suggestions from the community about any aspects of the Eisteddfod are always welcome and can be provided by writing directly to the Eisteddfod Committee by either mailing the Secretary, PO Box 497 Riverside NSW 2830 or email secretary@dubboeisteddfod.org.au. The Eisteddfod Society encourages people to use these same channels to provide information about any practice or event that they consider to be unfair or which makes them unhappy. The procedure for responding to complaints is given below: a. In keeping with the requirements of the Ombudsman Act, any complaint about the conduct of a committee member that involves any child protection matter should be made directly to the President or in their absence, the person next in charge. b. A complaint can be anything which a parent, teacher, competitor or community member thinks is unfair, or which makes them unhappy with the service provided. c. Complaints are to be resolved as quickly as possible. When an official written complaint is lodged the parties involved are to attempt to settle the matter through the appropriate written communication policy as stated above. d. All complaints will be discussed between the members of the Eisteddfod Committee who are able to attend at the time of the arranged meeting. e. The secretary will keep a written record including the following details:

Date complaint received.
Details of the written complaint received which contains a full description of the situation.
Name and details of the person making the complaint.
Details of the preferred outcome for the person making the complaint.
Any action taken, and by whom.
Date the complaint was resolved and the outcome. f. The status of the complaint will remain open until the complaint has been resolved. g. Any person with an official complaint or concern is to put the complaint in writing, attaching any witness statements. h. All Eisteddfod Committee members will be informed of all complaints and outcomes and may provide support in complaint resolution. If appropriate the Honorary Solicitor may be contacted for assistance in resolving the issue. If the solicitor is unable to resolve the matter, the matter will be referred to an independent body such as a mediation service.

Principles Of Dealing With Complaints

Only the relevant people dealing with the complaint will know the name and details of the complainant and the nature of the complaint.
The Eisteddfod Society will only action complaints received in writing from the complainant.
Every effort will be made to address the complaint within a reasonable period of time – ideally the complaint will be addressed within five working days and reach an acceptable outcome within 28 days from the date the complaint was lodged.
The person making the complaint will be consulted on the procedure to be followed to address the complaint and informed of the outcomes as they arise.
In the event that complaints are received anonymously they will not be investigated.

Prizes

The Committee invests the Adjudicator with the power to withhold any prize where he or she believes insufficient merit has been displayed.
Before two places can be given in a class at least four competitors must enter, and for three places at least six competitors must enter. No split prizes shall be awarded in any class or category.
The Committee reserves the right to vary any prize money if there are fewer than five entries received. Where, due to lack of entries, two classes have been combined, the prizes will be those stated for the more senior of the classes.
In Championship classes where the entries are less than five, the Committee reserves the right to reduce the places as per above.
Every performance receives an adjudication report, except in improvisation classes. It is the responsibility of competitors to collect prizes and reports. These must be collected by the final day of the Eisteddfod.
If there are insufficient entries in any class to justify it being run, the Committee reserves the right to omit it from the Program or combine it with another class in the Section.

Prize money and medals for each class are shown against the class in the online syllabus.

Props

Dance – props are only permitted if they are a NECESSARY part of the routine and must be easily and quickly carried on and off stage by the competitor, parent or friend.
Please Note: All Props MUST be stored in the designated area and MUST NOT obstruct the passageway or doorways. Please arrange storage and removal with the Co-ordinator, props must be removed from the backstage area as soon as possible after the performance.
All props must be labelled with the competitor’s name.

Protests

 In the event of a protest, it must be lodged within thirty (30) minutes of the Adjudicator's decision. The protester must submit a written protest, along with a deposit of fifty dollars ($50.00), to the Co- ordinator or a Committee member. The written protest must include: - The reason for the protest. - The class or session details relevant to the protest. - The time the event occurred. - The protester's name and contact details.  If the protest is upheld, the deposit will be refunded.  Please note: Only an entrant, teacher, or parent affected by the event may lodge a protest.

Rehearsals

No rehearsals are allowed on the Civic Theatre stages during the Eisteddfod (Monday 1 June to Sunday 21 June 2026).
To organise a rehearsal on stage prior to the commencement of the Eisteddfod (30 May), arrangements are to be made with the staff of the Civic Theatre.

Restricted Category Guidelines

A Restricted competitor is someone who has not won first place in any eisteddfod or competition in the same category (regardless of age or level) by the closing date 15th March 2026.
Competitors in this section must enter only in their age group.
If you win a first place after entries close, you are still eligible for the restricted category.
Please note, no changes to the program will be made after entries close, and requests to transfer to the Open category will not be considered.

Schools

A school is defined as an educational institution eligible to be registered under the Education Reform Act of 1990.

Stage Dimensions

Convention Centre Stage Dimensions – 10 metres wide x 6.5 metres deep
Theatre Stage Dimensions – 11 metres wide x 10 metres deep.
The committee reserves the right to amend the Syllabus/Program at any time.

Time Limits

All time limits are listed in individual categories in the Syllabus.
Unless specified otherwise, competitors must comply with the specific time limits stated in the Syllabus. Significant overtime may be penalised.