TAREE PCYC Gymaroos, along with Newcastle and Cowra representatives earned a standing ovation at the 2015 World Gymnaestrada Helsinki in Finland for their powerful first performance.
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"The intensity of this Gymaroo performance made some audience members sit back in their seats whilst others removed sunglasses to wipe a tear," informed the Taree PCYC Gymaroos Facebook page.
Reportedly the Gymaroos authentic representation of Australia was well-received by international audiences and other Australian teams.
Their performance and costumes was strongly influenced by Aboriginal culture, creating a proud moment when the Aboriginal flag was hung at the Gymnaestrada for the first time since the event started in 1955.
The Taree PCYC Gymaroo team took part in the opening ceremony of the event where they marched into the stadium with 21,000 other performers.
PCYC Taree long time coach and advisor Doreen Rayward carried the Australian flag and led the team as they marched.
After arriving in Helsinki after 30+ hours of travelling the kids managed to get stuck into their training before their first performance.
They are all enjoying a summer of a different kind, where the sun shines until 9pm and swimming involves rain, and a 13 degrees Finnish lake.
UPDATE:
The PCYC Gymaroos say thank you
THE PCYC Gymaroos performance team wishes to thank the families and businesses of the Manning Valley Community for their help in aiding the team's current Helsinki tour.
On Wednesday July 8, the team flew out of Sydney to represent Australia at the World Gymnaestrada.
The Gymaroos will be one of the 1000 performances to occur in Helsinki, Finland over the week.
Tickets have been on sale for five months for spectators to watch 38 nations share their performances.
The Gymaroos have prepared a spectacular performance and have uniquely designed costumes to set it off thanks to the generous supporters who jumped on board with their Pozible crowdfunding campaign.
Coach Sarah Hayes said she is looking forward to watching the Gymaroos perform but also watching their faces when they walk in to the opening ceremony with 20,000 other athletes.
"This experience will show the kids that they are capable of being part of something bigger - then they can strive to be part of something bigger for the rest of their lives. The Gymnaestrada is all about believing in yourself no matter what walk of life you come from. Self-worth is such an important belief for kids to have," Sarah said.
"The Gymaroos should be very proud. Their performance tells stories of the Manning Valley, of Australia and of the Australian people - proud of their Aboriginal history and positive about reconciliation."
The final piece of music in the Gymaroo performance is entitled, 'The Best is Yet to Come.'
