With ASB Polyfest celebrating its 50th year, we thought we'd take a look back and see when our involvement in the festival began. The earliest mention of Avondale College's participation in what is now known as Polyfest appears in Taikaka 1977 when the Polynesian Club won the cup for the Ailao - Fire Dance, as well as places in their three other items. Read the excerpts below!
TAIKAKA 1977
POLYNESIAN CLUB
The Polynesian Club this year has been a great success. The membership, amounting to 30 this term, can vary from one term to another.
The year's activities have included performing for the Rosebank Primary children and preparing for a Polynesian Speech contest, which was held at Epsom Girls' Grammar.
Enthusiasm of the girls is especially good, particularly when they are winning some contest. In fact, they have the intention of winning a cup at Mangere College shortly.
Between the girls no embarrassment exists, they are used to watching their family perform - watching fire dances, slap dances, drum sasa dances and action dances.
Everyone is most thankful for the work and effort of Mrs Irwin.
POLYNESIAN COMPETITION
At the Polynesian competition at Mangere in October the Avondale College Polynesian Group won the Rabbiege Cup for the Ailao - the fire dance. Patti Shelton took the leading role in this dance with Lua Leauga and Apaula Laga assisting him.
The group won places in all their other items too, Mauluulu, Slap Dance and Siva La'an.
Apaula Laga took first place in Junior Samoan Speech Contest.