1. In these Rules, the word 'Committee' shall mean the Management Committee of the Taree and District Eisteddfod Society Inc.
2. All sections of the Eisteddfod are open to AMATEURS ONLY. Taree and District Eisteddfod defines AMATEUR as:
   (a) One who is not mainly engaged in a particular discipline of the performing arts e.g. Dancing, Piano, Singing, Instrumental, Acting, Electronic Organ.
   (b) One who is not a full time teacher in a particular discipline of the performing arts e.g Dancing, Singing, Musical Instruments, Speech and Drama. Teachers of any discipline of the performing arts who teach less than three (3) hours per week, would for the purpose of the Taree and District Eisteddfod, be regarded as an amateur.
   (c) Teachers may enter the Eisteddfod as a competitor in any section they are not professionally involved e.g. A teacher of Dancing may enter Singing, Instrumental,
   Speech and Drama, but may not enter as a competitor in a Dancing section.
3. Any rules and conditions applying to Special sections of the Eisteddfod shall override these Rules and Conditions in the event of any inconsistency.
4. The Committee reserves the right to cancel any solo section in which less than three entries have been received. In this case, the Committee will place the competitor in the next highest age group or refund given.
5. The Committee reserves the right to refuse any entry.
6. The Committee reserves the right to amend the program at any time and to vary the order of competitors in any sections.
7. If, through unforeseen circumstances, an adjudicator is unable to perform his or her duties, the Committee reserves the right to appoint a substitute without notice.
8. The Committee reserves the right to call upon any competitor at any time to furnish, at his or her expense, proof of age, and to withhold any prize, medal or trophy
   until such time as proof is furnished.
9. In “Age Limit Section” the competitors age shall be calculated at the 1st January each year.
10. Competitors who have been taught, coached or advised by the Adjudicator at any time during the six (6) months preceding the opening date of the Eisteddfod, shall not be eligible to compete in any section judged by that Adjudicator.
11. During the performance of an item by a child or pupil, no parent ot teacher of such pupil shall be allowed on the stage except as an accompanist or conductor or page
    turner. No prompting or assistance of any kind may be given during the performance except by the Adjudicator or assistant at his/her request.
12. Communications with the adjudicator, either by competitors, teachers or interested parties (including parents) during the competitions is absolutely forbidden and the Committee reserves the rights to disqualify any competitor for a breach of this Rule committed by any of the forgoing. All enquiries of, or representations to the
    Adjudicator, must be made through the Sessions Co-ordinator on duty at the Centre.
13. Children caught drawing graffiti on the walls of the Manning Entertainment Centre will be disqualified. (Graffiti includes the kissing the wall with lipstick.)
14. The Adjudicator’s decision shall be final.
15. There must be at least three competitors perform in any Championship. If less than three competitors Adjudication Only or refund.
16. Entries must be lodged with the appropriate Co-ordinator at PO Box 379 Taree 2430 on or before the closing date except the Dance and Vocal sections which will be
    entered on line. Applications received after the closing date will be rejected. In Dance sections we ask teachers only for a large stamped addressed envelope to receive Group section schedule.
17. In the case of Duos or Trios all names of the competitors must be placed on the entry forms. No person may substitute for the competitor originally named on the
    official entry form. Competitors may not appear in sections other than those in which they have entered.
18. No entry will be valid unless accompanied by the full fees. This is to be on-line by Pay Pal or credit card when doing your entry.
19. In sections where two or more competitors are competing in combination, no competitor may compete more than once in the same section (except in Instrumental
    section.)
20. 20a – No competitor shall be allowed to render the same item in more than section within a discipline.
    20b – Any piece that has won a first place by the same person cannot be used the following year. (Dance and Speech and Drama exempted from this rule.)
21. If a competitor desires the services of an accompanist, this must be stated on the entry form and a copy of the music must be forwarded to the accompanist one month prior to the commencement of such section. Competitors shall be responsible for rehearsal fee which shall be by private arrangement between the competitor and accompanist.
22. (a) In all “Own Choice” sections of the Eisteddfod – Piano, Vocal, Speech and Drama, Instrumental / Electronic, a copy of each selection must be handed in for the Adjudicator. Please check sub rules for your section as rules will vary for each section as to how long before selection to be handed in. The Committee accepts no responsibility for the loss of music, scripts, discs and props etc, all photocopies will be withheld by the Committee to be destroyed after the section is finished.
    (b) It is the responsibility of the competitor to make sure that all Adjudicators copies are clearly marked with only the competitors number, not the name of the teacher or competitor.
23. Competitors may use recorded music where appropriate. (See individual syllabuses.)
24. A teacher or conductor may transpose any song published in one key to a suitable key for the pupil, competitor or choir unless otherwise stated.
25. Subject to rule 6, competitors shall compete in the order in which their names appear in the official program. If a competitor is not present when called he or she renders himself / herself liable for disqualification. Competitors must be back stage or at some place appointed by the Stage Manager, when an item in which they are appearing is announced.
26. Any use of video, audio, still, flash, phone cameras, I pads or tablet equipment during any session is forbidden.
27. The adjudicator reserves the right at all times to terminate a competitors performance at any stage. Such does not necessarily mean disqualification or disapproval.
28. (a) The Committee reserves the right to substitute a trophy for any prize listed.
    (b) The Committee reserves the right for an Adjudicator to withhold or reduce any prize where. In the Adjudicator’s opinion, an adequate standard has not been attained.
    (c) The Committee reserves the right for the Adjudicator to award a prize where, in the Adjudicator’s opinion ,a standard to merit the has been attained.
29. In the event of a tie, at the discretion of the Committee, prizes of of equal value maybe awarded to each person involved in a tie (to be purchased by Eisteddfod
    Committee.
30. Performance at the Grand Concert is by invitation only. If a competitor is fortunate to be chosen for the Grand Concert two years in a row they must perform in the afternoon concert one year and the evening concert the other. There is no exception to this rule.
31. Any protest shall be lodged with the Session Coordinator in writing within half an hour after completion of the section, in respect of which the protest is entered. The protest must be accompanied by a deposit of $50.00 which shall be forfeited if the protest is deemed frivolous or unfounded.
32. The decision of the Committee in all questions and disputes arising out of, or not provided for in the Rules shall be final. All entries therefore deemed to be made subject to this condition, and decisions of the Committee shall not be subject to any appeal of law, as being contrary to the spirit of friendly competition upon which the Eisteddfod is based. Failure to comply with any of the foregoing Rules and Conditions may involve disqualification and withholding of prizes.
33. Any rule of the Greater Taree City Council relating to the Manning Entertainment Centre shall apply during the Eisteddfod to all parties.
34. (a) In compliance with copyright laws, any copies of materials provided to the Society, unless clearly marked as "not subject to copyright" must be retained and destroyed by the Society after use.
    (b) The competitor must perform using the original copy and the photocopy must be handed in for the Adjudicator. All photocopies will be destroyed unless marked “not subject to copyright”.
35. While every effort will be made to schedule the program for special religious denominations who cannot compete on certain days, it may not always be possible. In these circumstances, competitors must either perform for "Adjudication only" on another day or perform at the scheduled time.
36. MAXIMUM TIME LIMITS WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED.
37. Unless otherwise stated, no special lighting or sound effects will be available. In Speech and Drama own sound deck must be supplied.
38. All perpetual trophies to be returned to Stacks the Law Firm or the section coordinator one month prior to commencement of the Eisteddfod. (All sections except
    Dance).

In Dance sections All perpetual trophies will be returned to the Committee after presentation and a photo taken. They will no longer be allowed to be taken home.

********IF YOU TOOK HOME A PERPETUAL TROPHY FROM THE 2017 EISTEDDFOD PLEASE RETURN TO EISTEDDFOD SOCIETY ON THE FIRST DAY OF DANCE OR TO TAREE BALLET GEAR PULTENEY ST TAREE BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF EISTEDDFOD.******