Raewyn WEGGERY
Secretary, Treasurer and Examination
Secretary
Mrs Weggery began to learn Highland Dancing at the age of six
with Mrs Andrea Quinn after being encouraged to ‘give dancing a
try’. Her love of dancing grew and at the age of twelve she began
learning from Mrs Sherilyn Hall.
Mrs Weggery successfully competed at all levels all over New
Zealand, in Daylesford Australia and in Scotland including several
years in the eighteen years and over New Zealand Championships.
During this time her love for the Scottish music, dance and culture
grew.
Mrs Weggery is a qualified teacher and adjudicator and enjoys
passing on her love of highland dancing to her pupils and watching
them succeed.
Mrs Weggery holds a Bachelor of Business Studies degree and is
the Examination Secretary and Assistant Treasurer.
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Glenys GRAY
Representative elected from the North
Island Members
Miss Gray has studied various types of dance however her main
involvement has been with Highland and National Dancing. For most of
her dancing years she was a pupil of Mrs Tui Downie and under her
tutelage was successful both in competitions, twice winning the New
Zealand Champion of Champions title, and Academy Examinations which
she passed with Honours in all grades before progressing on to pass
the Academy’s Solo Seal Examination. She has also been a
demonstrator for the Academy and has studied Highland and Hebredian
dancing in Scotland. As well as her Academy qualifications, while
living in Scotland Miss Gray also obtained Teaching and Judging
qualifications with the Scottish Official Highland Dancing
Association.
Miss Gray is a qualified Accountant and member of the New Zealand
Institute of Chartered Accountants. She currently works as Financial
Accountant for an Auckland Local Authority, and has previously
worked as an auditor both in New Zealand and Scotland.
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Kay GROUT
Representative from the Piping and Dancing
Association of New Zealand
Mrs Grout is at present the President of the Piping and Dancing
Association of New Zealand (Inc). She is retired. Prior to her
retirement she was a Principal Lecturer in law and Programme Leader
at the Auckland University of Technology.
Mrs Grout became involved with Highland and National dancing when
her daughter, Sarah, began taking lessons.
Mrs Grout is one of two Liaison Officers who act as
intermediaries between the New Zealand Academy (the examining body)
and the Piping and Dancing Association of New Zealand (the
competition body). She is therefore a member of the Executive
Committee of the Academy and at the same time President (Councillor)
of the Piping and Dancing Association.
Mrs Grout is also the present patron for the Auckland National
Dancing Teachers and Judges Association (Inc) and a committee member
of the Piping and Dancing Association of New Zealand (Inc) -
Auckland Centre.
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Adrienne HABERFIELD
Representative elected from the
South Island Members
Mrs Haberfield commenced Highland, Ballet and Tap dancing with
Betty Carnochan (the first Director of Technical Committee). When
Miss Carnochan moved overseas Mrs Haberfield studied and completed
her examinations with Miss Muriel Waugh and Mrs Jeanie Paton.
Mrs Haberfield has served as Secretary and President of the
Balmoral Club (the Christchurch Highland and National Dancing
Teachers and Judges Association), President of the Canterbury West
Coast Centre of the Piping and Dancing Association of New Zealand,
is a Life Member of the Canterbury West Coast Centre and the
Canterbury Caledonian Society. She has also adjudicated at many
Championship meetings around the country and has tutored at a number
of Summer Schools.
Mrs Haberfield runs her own business as a full time Highland,
Jazz and Tap teacher, and has been an examiner in Jazz, Ballet and
Tap dancing for the New Zealand Association of Modern Dance.
Mrs Haberfield is a Justice of the Peace
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Sherilyn HALL
Technical Director
Mrs Hall commenced Highland Dancing on Doctors advice after
having polio as a young child. She was taught by Mrs Emma Brown (nee
Maye) in her early years and later by Mrs Edna Moore, returning to
Mrs Brown on occasions for further lessons in her teenage years. She
also learnt ballet and piano.
Her competitive achievements were renowned throughout the
country.
In her early twenties Mrs Hall became a demonstrator for the
Technical Committee and later a Technical Committee member. She
assisted the Research Committee, again in a demonstrating role,
while the current Highland and Step Dance Syllabuses were being
compiled.
On Mrs Brown’s retirement Mrs Hall was appointed the Technical
Director. As Director she has overseen the development of the
Academy Initial to Grade 1 video, the preparation of the Let’s Dance
and Getting Started syllabuses, the restructuring of the Medal Tests
and the revamp of the Refresher (Dance Development) Course. As well
as undertaking examining duties, she has conducted workshops and
seminars throughout New Zealand, and tutored at Summer Schools.
In 1999 Mrs Hall represented the New Zealand Academy of Highland
and National Dancing at the International Highland Dance Conference
in Las Vegas, conducting Step Dancing workshops and speaking on an
international panel.
Mrs Hall was accomplished in netball and gymnastics and
represented New Zealand in Volleyball in the early 1970’s. She
currently owns and operates a ladies fashion boutique in Palmerston
North and when not involved with dancing in her spare time enjoys
travel, boating and deep sea fishing as well as a good book!
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Avalon MOFFATT
Representative from the Piping and
Dancing Association of New Zealand
Mrs Moffatt commenced ballet at the age of 4 and Highland and
National dancing at age 6. She was taught Highland dancing by her
mother Mrs E McLeod, in Hamilton, until the age of 16, when she
moved to Wellington. On arriving in Wellington she learnt from Mrs E
Wooller and completed her final exam under her guidance. Avalon
attained Honours in all grades and she competed very successfully
throughout New Zealand winning many North Island, South Island and
New Zealand championships. She is currently teaching dancing and has
a small school of pupils. Past and present pupils have been
successful both in competitive and examination work.
Avalon is currently a vice president of the Wellington Centre of
the Piping and Dancing and President of Wellington Provincial
Highland Gathering – a society that runs seven competitions
annually. She has been a member of Wellington Provincial Highland
Gathering for over 20 years.
Avalon has a great love of dance and wishes to serve all dancers
in New Zealand for the betterment of Highland and National dancing
and retain the heritage that has been handed down through the years
in New Zealand.
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Barbara TAIT
Representative elected from the North
Island Members
Mrs Tait commenced dancing at the age of five years after being
seduced by the beauty of the tartan socks at the local A and P Show.
She passed all Academy examinations under the tuition of Mrs Jeanie
Paton and after a successful competitive career which included
winning numerous New Zealand, Island and Centre Championship titles
under the guidance of Mrs Jeanie Paton and Mrs Emma Brown, she
became an Executive Council member of the New Zealand Academy of
Highland and National Dancing Association. This position she has
continued to hold until the present day.
Mrs Tait is also a teacher and judge of Highland and National
Dancing. She is an active member of the Piping and Dancing
Association of New Zealand and currently holds the position of
President of the Taranaki Centre of the Piping and Dancing
Association. A secondary School teacher, Mrs Tait has three
children, two of whom are Highland Dancers and all three of whom are
involved with the local Pipe Band.
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Jackie McBRIDE
Representative elected from the South
Island Members
Being born into a household where Highland Dancing was a major
part of life certainly helped when I commenced dancing lessons with
Helen Jones-Sexton, as I could already dance the Highland Fling,
Sword Dance and Irish Jig - this from watching my mother, Enid Weir,
teach from an early age. As a senior, my teacher was past Technical
member Mrs Janice Wood - both of my teachers and my mother instilled
in me a love of dance, taught me the Academy history and the
importance of where our technique has come from.
As an elected member of the Executive Council my wish is to see
the Academy grow stronger and to ensure that future members all have
the opportunity to understand and maintain our technique.
I have held the position of the Competition Secretary for 12
years at the Otago Centre and have held the positions of
President, Secretary and Treasurer for our Otago Teachers and Judges
Club (The Ghillie Callum Club). I am an active adjudicator and enjoy
adjudicating at all levels through out New Zealand.
I work for the National Bank as a Banking Consultant in
Commercial Banking and bring Financial and Administration skills
from this and previous bank roles onto Executive.
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