Southern Highland News, Wednesday, October 28, 2015 9

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Play it again, Zac

By Ainsleigh Sheridan

BRAVO, Zac Moran, and Encore!The Board of Studies overseeing Higher

School Certificate exams has shortlisted theYear 12 Oxley College student for a showcaseof musical excellence.

To be shortlisted for Encore "was my goalfrom the start," Zac said. "Even though I knewthere was a high chance I wouldn't get itbecause a lot of people don't."

Oxley College arts department headteacher Rob Hughes said Zac's nomination asa "top talent" from this year's HSC cohort was"a great thing" and "well-deserved".

"We celebrate thenomination because bythe time the Board ofStudies has workedthrough [the shortlistfor] a two-hour concert,you're lucky if you endup on stage," he said.

Encore strives to equallymix instruments, genresand exposure for studentsfrom public/private andmetro/country schools, "sothat's why we celebrate thenomination: it just meanshe did very well".

Zac impressed hisHSC examiners with aperformance repertoireof four solo pieces onguitar, all in a style calledfinger-picking, and allarranged by Australianartists.

He took guidancefrom Mr Hughes inselecting the pieces, whosaid his approach was to"encourage students topush themselves to thelimit, but certainly not tobreaking point".

"What the examinerslook for in a perform-ance is technical excel-lence, so the candidatesreally have to pushthemselves to demon-strate that in a small win-dow of time," Mr Hughessaid.

"What you don't wantis a repertoire that is waytoo difficult that younever fully realise, norpresent something thatis too safe, because theexaminers won't seeyour capability.

"Zac has performed alot in his time and it hasalways been wellreceived because he isaccomplished. So that

has been my challenge, to try to get more out ofthose performances."

"Music has always been a release for me,"Zac said. "To have it this year count towardsmy HSC marks has been exciting and enjoy-able; and Encore was a driver, an incentive.

"I'll always play the guitar and music, Iknow, will always be a part of my life. Whetherit is something I will pursue professionally, Iam not quite sure yet."

Zac will soon be quite sure whether he'smade the stage for Encore.

>> See a snippet of Zac's rehearsal for an Oxley concert earlier this year online at

southernhighlandnews.com.au

Oxley College student Zac Moran with arts head teacher and mentor Rob Hughes. Photo Ainsleigh Sheridan

Chance to be culturally awareBy Josh Bartlett

THE Highlands Aboriginal cul-ture will be celebrated inGlenquarry this week.

Glenquarry Public Schoolwill host an Aboriginal CultureDay on Friday.

More than 250 students fromthe region's small schools net-work will attend the event.

Special guests will includelocal Indigenous leaders AuntyVal, Peter Swain, and WendyLotter.

Students will learn aboutnative plants, take part in tradi-tional Indigenous games,undertaking art workshops andhear Dreamtime stories.

School principal JadSouthwell said Friday's eventwas open for students fromKindergarten to Year 6.

Mr Southwell said theAboriginal Culture Day hadbeen made possible with sup-port from Wingecarribee ShireCouncil.

"It's been a good collabora-tive effort and the day aims toraise awareness of theAboriginal culture," he said.

"It's a chance for students toappreciate and respect the cul-ture as they get older.

"These days are also impor-tant to ensure the interactionsof students between otherschools."

The Aboriginal Culture Daywill start at 10am on Friday atGlenquarry Public School.

>> For more information, call theschool on 4887 1205.

Wendy Lotter willbe a special guestat the Culture Day.

Photo supplied

AW1788027

SPECIAL NOTICE TO MEMBERS VOTING FOR BOARD

APPOINTMENTSAn election is underway for two positions on the board

of directors of your co-operative.

Voting for your directors is being conducted by way ofpostal ballot. The election is being conducted in accordance

with the existing rules in relation to board rotation.

Co-operative members will have received their ballot papers via mail, or will do so in the coming days. We strongly

encourage you to participate in the vote by returning the completed ballot papers in the envelopes provided.

PLEASE TAKE TIME TO PARTICIPATE IN DETERMINING THE FUTURE LEADERSHIP

OF YOUR CO-OPERATIVE.The result of the voting will be announced at the Co-op’s Annual General

Meeting to be held at the Co-op on Saturday 21st November at 11am,which will be followed by a BBQ. We invite all members to attend.