By Dominique Tassell
A request from The Border District Eisteddfod was heard before Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) on 28 July.
The Border District Eisteddfod is seeking permission to house their perpetual trophies at the Stanthorpe Civic Centre, with a trophy cabinet currently being designed for the display in the foyer.
Rebecca Telfer, President of the Border District Eisteddfod, sent a letter to the CEO of SDRC requesting that their trophies be housed at the Stanthorpe Civic Centre.
Rebecca stated that The Border District Eisteddfod has been held in Stanthorpe since 1977 and during that time have accumulated a number of perpetual trophies.
She stated that the Library has on occasion displayed them for a month or so, but other than that they are kept in boxes.
Rebecca said The Eisteddfod considers the Stanthorpe Civic Centre to be the home of the Border District Eisteddfod and as such, are seeking permission to house the trophies there.
The Border District Eisteddfod has commissioned the design of a trophy cabinet from Tom Hoffman, stating they have the cloak room wall in mind as a suitable position.
They submitted the design to SDRC, noting it would be made in two piece for ease of transport.
Rebecca stated that “the Eisteddfod committee would be happy to negotiate an agreement for the ongoing care and maintenance of the cabinet“.
When the letter was brought before the SDRC meeting, several councillors spoke up in support of the requets.
Councillor Stephen Tancred stated he wanted to add his support to their request.
He noted that when the Eisteddfod had previously sought assistance with the rent for the civic centre, many councillors have “waxed lyrical“ about what a good job the Eisteddfod did, “and have done over a long period of time“.
Councillor Cameron Gow also lent the request his support, stating the Eisteddod had contacted him prior to submitting it.
He stated he had encouraged them to write the letter.
“They do an amazing amount of work, there’s a lot of people who are engaged in that space that have been doing that for many years and obviously accumulated an amount of trophies they don’t have what you would call spiritual home of their own.
“I’m guessing the civic centre is it, where those events take place.
“I also understand in their letter, Mr Mayor, that they’re offering to maintain the cabinet as it’s there’s and they obviously want it to be kept clean and make sure their trophies are on display so whatever agreement would need to be put in place I’m sure the CEO would be able to come up with something would speak to that and address the letter and sees that that project goes forward.“
The CEO, Dave Burges, then suggested a report be made about the centre and cabinet that could then be brought before Council.
Finally, Councillor Marco Gliori also gave the request his support.
He stated that he was at the presentations to the Border Districts Eisteddfod with Jean Chapman, one of the original organisers of the festival back in 1977.
“It’d be lovely to see something perhaps organised if it is possible to be organised.“
“Whilst they’re still getting around and presenting all these wonderful awards, she does a great job.“
The request is expected to go back to staff for development before it will be presented back to Councillors for consideration at a future meeting.
