The wizard, longtime foe of the salt dragon, helps the dwarves and elves to combat the salt with the strengths of community awareness and the knowledge of wise farm management to reduce the salt goblins and turn the problem into a manageable situation. Rock Eisteddfod co-director and maths teacher, Adrian Grogan, says the main reason for choosing salinity as the theme is because it gives students a great opportunity to address an issue that affects not only their local area, but Australia as a whole. This sets Boort's performance apart from many others. The production company, including performers and backstage crew, consisted of 134 people. Around 90 per cent of the school was involved.
Practices usually involve the entire school, with barely a soul in the schoolgrounds at lunch times.
Already practice is well under way for this year's extravaganza and costumes and sets are being deftly designed and constructed by a dedicated and enthusiastic throng of students and teachers. The wider community also becomes involved, making costumes, sets or helping with transport. With all the fun and excitement the Rock Eisteddfod creates, Boort Secondary College hopes the central message of being aware of the problem of salinity, and its causes and solutions, can shine through. Andrea Noonan is a year 11 student at Boort Secondary College who recently completed work experience at The Age. Any unauthorised use, copying or mirroring is prohibited.