each year. In addition to performing, the three-day festivals provide the opportunity for rural and remote students to participate in many health, education, employment, sport, visual and performing activities during the day. Outcomes Global Rock Challenge events in each country attempt to deliver specific health and lifestyle themes such as anti-tobacco, drugs and alcohol messages. A three-year research study by the University of Sydney Department of Public Health and Community Medicine was the first cross-sectional analysis of participating and non-participating students. Professor Don Nutbeam found that participants in the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge in Sydney secondary schools had higher self-esteem than the control group of schools who did not participate in the event; that participants smoked less tobacco and marijuana and drank less alcohol than the control group. Dr Rose Grunstein also found that students in participating schools but not in the actual team also had lower propensities to smoke, drink excessive alcohol or take other drugs. The Rock Eisteddfod Challenge as an Intervention to Increase Resiliency and Improve Health Behaviours in Adolescents (1999–2001) study examined a sample of 44 Sydney high school students and explained the effectiveness of the events as a youth program. The overall findings included a lower incidence of drug, marijuana and alcohol use among participating REC students compared to students in non-participating REC schools. Students similarly had an improved sense of identity, belonging, purpose, problem solving skills, and social competence. As an intervention program, the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge improved flexibility, empathy and caring, good communication skills, sense of belonging and sense of purpose. 90% of students from REC schools and 87.5% from control schools knew that the message was an anti-substance abuse message, the study found very positive attitudes toward the REC, particularly amongst those who took an active role in the event. Divisions In all Rock Eisteddfod Challenge events there are Open and RAW Divisions. In Melbourne and Sydney there is an open, small and premier division. J Rock Team Numbers- max 143 participants Performers- Min 10 Max 100 Stage Crew: Min 0 Max 20 Support Crew Max 20 Expenditure Maximum- $2,500 Small Teams Team Numbers – max 73 participants Performers: Min 10 Max 40 Stage Crew: Min 0 Max 10 Support Crew: Max 20 This division was cut out of the competition in 2008 in favor of RAW. RAW Introduced in 2006, the RAW Division is the division of the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge which