The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) has announced the prize recipients of the 2025 Eileen Hogarth Awards, held on Sunday 27 July at the Adelaide College of the Arts.
Formerly known as the South Australian RAD Awards, this year marked the first presentation under the new name, which honours Eileen Hogarth, the first examiner from South Australia. A distinguished RAD Life Member, Hogarth played a pivotal role in the development of dance in the region. These Awards are the longest-running RAD student awards in Australia and continue to offer young dancers invaluable stage experience, performance confidence, and a strong sense of community.
The event brought together students from Grade 2 through to Solo Seal, all of whom are current South Australian RAD exam candidates. Over the course of the day, students participated in syllabus or open classes taught by guest teachers Chantal Berry and Helen Cooper, observed by an audience of families and friends, and adjudicators Suzanne Arrigo and Chylie Cooper. Finalists from each award class were invited to perform again in a morning or afternoon final, with winners and runners-up announced at each level.
Adjudicator Suzanne Arrigo reflected on the day: "Such an array of talent was seen at the RAD Eileen Hogarth Awards yesterday. I felt honoured and privileged to watch students at all levels perform and showcase their classical technique with passion and commitment. From the youngest of students to the more advanced it was such a joyful day of dance!"
Fellow adjudicator Chylie Cooper added: "Congratulations to all the RAD teachers in SA for presenting strong and talented young students. It was a privilege to award to our up-and-coming artists. It was a trip down memory lane, and it felt special to be a part of the day!"
Philippa Lynas, RAD Regional Manager for SA, WA and NT, acknowledged the significance of this year’s event: "This year, we were especially proud to have renamed the event in honour of Eileen Hogarth. In keeping with her pioneering spirit, 2025 saw the expansion of awarding four training scholarships with major Australian dance institutions, including The Australian Ballet School and Sydney Dance Company. These secondment-style opportunities aim to connect talented South Australian students with leading companies nationwide — we wish each of them an inspiring and enriching experience. What a fabulous day celebrating the culmination of months of hard work and preparation by our South Australian students and teachers in their 2025 examinations."
2025 Eileen Hogarth Awards: Prize Recipients
Badenoch Iversen Award for Grades 2–3
Winner: Summer Ferguson (GWB Studios)
Runner-Up: Isabel Romeo (Aldgate Dance)
Gwen Mackey Award for Grades 4–5
Winner: Emika Ichinohe (Vivienne Winter School of Ballet)
Runner-Up: Emelia Petronzio (GWB Studios)
Jacqueline Tucker Award for Grades 6, 7 & 8
Winner: Thomas Hobbs (Terry Simpson Studios)
Runner-Up: Roux Walter-Engelsma (Vivienne Winter School of Ballet)
Sheila Laing Training Enhancement Award
Winner: Mila Laughlin (Terry Simpson Studios)
Terry Simpson Encouragement Award
Winner: Julianne Sison (Turning Point Dance)
Joyce Clother OAM Scholarship
Winner: Ivy Bainger (GWB Studios)
Sydney Dance Company Holiday Workshop Scholarships
Recipient: Roux Walter-Engelsma (Vivienne Winter School of Ballet)
Recipient: Holly Zbierski (Terry Simpson Studios)
Floyd & B'Nay Award for Intermediate Foundation & Intermediate
Winner: Laura Thomas (Turning Point Dance)
Runner-Up: Emika Ichinohe (Vivienne Winter School of Ballet)
Sir Robert Helpmann Award for Advanced Foundation & Advanced 1
Winner: Ilya Degroot-iouguina (Turning Point Dance)
Runner-Up: Aubrey Adams (Hills Ballet School & Terry Simpson Studios)
Kathleen Short Memorial Cup for Advanced 2 and Solo Seal
Winner: Ruby Gool (Terry Simpson Studios)
Runner-Up: Holly Zbierski (Terry Simpson Studios)
Eileen Hogarth Award
Winner: Ruby Gool (Terry Simpson Studios)
Lorraine Irving OAM Scholarship
Winner: Josiah Spode (Whyalla Ballet School)
Susan Taylor Encouragement Award
Winner: Aaliyah Williams (Turning Point Dance)
2025 Bloch Encouragement Award
Winner: Mila Laughlin (Terry Simpson Studios)
Sydney Dance Company PPY Secondment
Recipient: Bundjalung Coker (Terry Simpson Studios)
Australian Ballet School 1-Week Short-Term Scholarship
Recipient: Ilya Degroot-iouguina (Turning Point Dance)
The RAD expressed its sincere thanks to the many volunteers and supporters who helped bring the event to life, and to the South Australian RAD Panel for their ongoing dedication. Gratitude was also extended to the event sponsors and national student event sponsors, Bloch, Energetiks, and Capezio, for their continued commitment to nurturing the next generation of dancers.