A sister’s love continues to make a difference to dance.

Enid Wilson was described as both charming and outspoken during her illustrious career as a kindergarten professional and advocate for children.

Born in 1896 in Western Australia, she grew up in a large family with many siblings. Her closest sister was Norma Linley, a well-known ballet teacher and national advocate for the ballet profession.

Graduating as a kindergarten teacher in 1916, Enid spent her adult years teaching in both Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, before settling in Wellington, her lifelong home. An early adopter of progressive kindergarten methods,

Enid knew that children thrived in supportive, kind and play-based environments, and incorporated these ideas into her teaching style.

In 1928, she fulfilled a dream becoming Principal of the Wellington Free Kindergarten Association, allowing her to fully pursue her passions in early childhood learning. She was well respected within the kindergarten community, and throughout her career, she fought to make improvements that would allow children and the sector to flourish.

New Zealand School of Dance 2019 graduate Olivia Castagna in ‘Re.Structure’. Choreography by Ross McCormack. Photography by Stephen A’Court

A community focus

After her retirement in 1948, she travelled to Australia with her friend Ted (Edna) Scott, visiting early childhood centres and bringing the best of the ideas back to Wellington. On her return home in 1950, Enid and Ted bought some land in Upper Hutt and created a market garden that they named Willscott Gardens, merging their two surnames. Here, they grew and supplied fruit and vegetables to local residents and provided flowers for many important functions in the Hutt Valley and Wellington city.

Later on, Enid and Ted decided to set up a Trust to support the causes they were passionate about, which is now managed by Nikau.

The fund supports early childhood education, young people and, because of her sister Norma, the New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD).

“It is such a pleasure to have the ongoing support from the Willscott Fund,” says NZSD Development Officer Elizabeth Isaacs. “For a number of years, the fund has enabled the school to commission choreographers to create new dance works for our end-of-year performance season.”

Collaborative choreography

NZSD used the grant to engage renowned choreographer and 2001 NZSD alumni Ross McCormack to develop a stunning new work.

The students greatly valued the experience of working with one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading choreographers. “The articulation and clarity of Ross’s choreography is a standout, and the feedback was incredible,” says Paula Steeds-Huston, NZSD’s Head of Contemporary Dance.“The experience of crafting and forming the piece, preparing it for the stage and then performing it over our 12-show Graduation season was phenomenal,” says former student Courtney Mae Lim.

A contribution to Wellington’s arts scene

NZSD’s Graduation Season performances have wider positive benefits than just for the students and dance school. Elizabeth and her team know the impact it also has on the wider Wellington region.

“The performance contributes to Wellington’s cultural life, presenting audiences with exciting new and traditional dance works from New Zealand and overseas,” she says.

The Willscott Fund will continue to support early childhood centres, the Samaritans and NZSD for ever in memory of Enid and Ted.