23 March 2020 16:51
Following a weekend of escalations from our Federal and State governments regarding Coronavirus RAD Australia, today issued an update on our position moving forward regarding our activities.
Events
Our student events postponement has now been extended from 1 June to 1 September and we will seek all opportunities to reschedule events which might have happened during this period to a later date.
Australian Advanced 1 Bursary
We regret to say our Australian Advanced 1 Bursary is canceled for 2020. With regards to interstate travel, student preparedness and the cost to both students and RAD Australia to run this competition, we feel it is not appropriate to run the event this year but look forward to bringing it to you once more in 2021.
Exams
We are carefully working through the significant task of reviewing our upcoming exam sessions across Australia from May and options for rescheduling, combining and revising their formats. We will commence communicating updates to Members for these exam sessions via Regional Manager’s and tour organisers within the next week, providing as much detailed information as possible on options for specific exam sessions and the subsequent process from here.
We remain positive that we can continue to support Members and students and are committed to resuming our full range of services as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.
We urge our teaching Members to complete this survey being compiled by the Ausdance Network. Data gathered will inform our governments to help guide stimulus and rescue packages during COVID-19. They will keep us updated with results and what they’re doing as the peak body for dance in Australia to help us get through this extraordinary event.
We would also like to recognise that everyone is experiencing unprecedented pressure during this crisis, on top of what has been a challenging 12 months prior. We urge you to support one another, pick up the phone and reach out if you need to talk. Here are some other numbers you can also call.
Support Act Wellbeing Helpline – 1800 959 500
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
Headspace – 1800 650 890. Headspace is a national youth mental health foundation dedicated to improving the wellbeing of young Australians.