PICTURE: Kate Campbell with Douglas McFarland and Hannah Polo at the 2007 NSW/ACT Championships.

Following the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a Salute to Australia, in 2005, Kate Campbell's mother made the call to the VLSHD for her to join the well known Highland Dance School.

Now just over 3 years later Kate is on her way to becoming the schools newest Champion dancer.

Kate started competing within six months of starting Highland Dance and was an instant achiever, winning the SDA Beginners Trophy Dance in Feb 2006 and backing it up winning the Beginners Trophy Dance at Champion of Champions in Adelaide 2006.

Kate then entered the Novice level, winning the Novice aggregate in her first competition, then taking out the NHDA Novice Title and the PHDA Trophy Dance.

It was a decision by the VLSHD to promote her to Premier after only a few successful Intermediate competitions. This promotion, something the VLSHD has been successful previously with dancers Hannah Polo and Eilidh Young, saw Kate competing in one of the fiercest 13 - 15 years age groups Australia has seen in years, but Kate took it in her stride placing in only her 2nd Championship, the ACT Championship in 2007. Kate went on to place in the NSW/ACT (2007), Festival of Tartans (2008), ACT (2008) and Garrick Stewart (2008) Championships.

All these have led to her most recent success at last months Internationals. Kate took out the 14-16 years Pre-Championship and then was the Highest placed Restricted Dancer in the International Highland Dancing Championships.

Kate will now move into the 16 and Over class and is training hard to join the Scotland 2009 VLSHD team. With great strength and technique, Kate is destined to enjoy much more success throughout her career.

The VLSHD is currently training the Scotland 2008 team which head to Scotland on August 10th, Veronica McFarland will lead the team of Kyle Marston, Lauren Baldacchino, Hannah Polo and Douglas McFarland who DUTK.com believes will be competing in the World Championships.