CAIRNS State High School is leading the push to hold an alternative gig to the cancelled Rock Eisteddfod Challenge. 

Hundreds of high school students were disappointed when 27 Rock Eisteddfod and J Rock competitions were cancelled across the country after its foundation failed to get enough money from government and corporate sponsors.

The Rock Eisteddfod Challenge is expected to return next year, but local schools, supported by the The Cairns Post, are organising a one-off event for the region’s youth to fill the gap in 2010.

Cairns High teachers Glyn Donaghy and Tanya Findlay are keen to hold a non-competitive event with an open format so that all interested schools could participate.

The teachers were this week gauging interest from Far Northern schools and hoped at least 10 schools would take part.

Ms Donaghy wanted primary schools to get involved also.

"We want as many schools involved as possible and there is support out there for schools," Ms Donaghy said.

Malanda State High School deputy principal Gill Harrington has welcomed the "great idea".

"If all the schools work together we can make something really special," she said.

"The support in our community is there.

"I’m getting people from our local community and parents saying, ‘How can we make this happen?" she said.

Ms Harrington expected a quarter of the school’s students to get involved, with 70 students already practising their routine.

She said the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge, which Malanda High won locally in 2005 and 2003, was an important event for smaller communities.

Year 12 student Julia Skelton, who has danced since the age of six, was among Malanda High students "devastated" by the Rock Eisteddfod’s cancellation.

A meeting with interested groups is planned for March 3 or 5. Contact Tanya Findlay or Glyn Donaghy at 4050 3030.

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