Rolande Hooklyn from the Sapphire City Dance Academy has taught Georgia for the past four years and she and her mother Nicole are more than happy to make the trips.

“Basically we’d heard she was a really good teacher and it just went from there,” Nicole said.

“She (Hooklyn) tries to convince us to go somewhere local, but we love coming here.

“Everything just clicked. It was only meant to be short-term at first, but here we are.

“It’s only a really small place, but I think that makes all the difference.

“Quality over quantity.”

All the travel and hard work appears to have paid off for Georgia, with recent wins at eisteddfods in Inverell and Armidale.

She won the classical solo event and was runner-up in the classical championship at the Inverell Eisteddfod, where the adjudicators commented on her presentation and correct ballet technique.

In the Armidale Eisteddfod, she won the classic championship and the song and dance championship.

Like most 12-year-olds, Georgia was a little bit shy when asked questions, but said winning the eisteddfods was exciting.

She added that the best thing about dancing is that it’s fun and she would like to continue learning and become a teacher some day.

Nicole said she has no problems with the travel and will be happy to keep coming to Inverell.

“No I see that it’s all been worth it,” she said.

“She’s made lots of friends and likes learning and applying what she’s being taught.

“I’m happy to do whatever I can to encourage her and she’s very determined.”