Annie Greig was well-known not only in the Tasmanian arts circle, but on the national stage too.
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After her death on Tuesday, tributes have flowed for the beloved dancer and choreographer.
Greig was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2008, with the only cure a lung transplant which Greig received in October 2019.
However, though her recovery was a success for a year after her surgery, at the end of 2020 Greig experienced problems with the new lung.
Greig's partner, Jen Brown, shared that the final year for Greig was an increasing struggle, yet "she maintained her zest for living, for hanging out with mates, for a glass of fine Tassie bubbles, and for exercising her effervescent sense of humour".
"That mischievous Annie smile will stay with everyone who knew her forever. She was one a kind," she said.
Ms Brown said something others may not have known about Greig was that she was also a farmer, and managed the family farm she inherited while working in the arts sector.
"[Greig] was equally at home in the shearing shed as in the theatre and the dance studio. She loved her mob of sheep and alpacas and all the annual rituals associated with life on the land. She was particularly fond of the two old Fergie tractors she had been driving since childhood," she said.
During her art career, Greig worked with the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association, the University of Tasmania, Arts Tasmania, the Tasmanian Cultural Industries Council, the Asia Pacific Performing Arts Network, and the Australian Choreographic Centre.
She was also president of Ausdance NSW and the national vice-president of Ausdance.
Greig became Tadance's artistic director in 1997. She stepped down from the role in mid-October 2015, but current artistic director Adam Wheeler has fond memories of Greig.
"She was incredibly generous. She had a real keen eye for spotting talent ... and would find ways and mechanisms to support [those people]," he said.
"Her wisdom, her knowledge, her taste, will be really missed in our community. She was our elder, she was the one that many of us could go to if we were feeling lost or unsure of how to move forward."
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One of Mr Wheeler's fondest memories of Greig was at an after-party for the Australian Dance Awards where no one wanted to be the first to get up and dance. So, Greig and a friend made the first move.
Tasdance also shared a post on Facebook with a message from Mr Wheeler and Emma Porteus expressing how Greig's legacy would be the foundation for the company's future.
Trisha Dunn said she was "truly humbled" to have spent 13 years under Greig's guidance at Tasdance, and share many adventures and travels during that time.
"Annie was the most vivacious person I've ever known. Her infectious enthusiasm for everything in life was inspiring to say the least," she said.
"[She] will be sorely missed, but no one will ever forget her cheeky smile, wicked laugh, and zest for life."
Other past colleagues, friends, and community members also took to Facebook to share their condolences and fondest memories.
RANT Arts said Greig had been an advocate and celebrator of dance in all forms, and was a "rare and wonderful life force".
"While proudly Launcestonian where she began her dance training, her practice embraced all peoples and places.
Well deserved were the awards recognising her service and contribution to dance and Australian society, but it was her work elevating and supporting young dance artists to pursue their passion and build their career in dance that her impact was most felt," the post said.
Greig was awarded a Bicentennial Medal in 2003 for her services to dance and was placed on the Honour Roll for Women in Tasmania in 2010. Ausdance National said Greig was a "true force of nature in the dance world - a leader of integrity, innovation, generosity of spirit and great humour".
The Princess Theatre shared that its team was thinking of Greig and "her creativity, her rigour, and her belief in the communal power of the arts".
"We are thinking of her incredible contributions to our nation's cultural life, and how she championed Launceston, its artists, and its people," the post said.
"Annie's immense legacy lives on in our city's festivals, theatres, rehearsal rooms, and dance studios.
And in all the artists, producers, and audiences who pass through them."
Bass Labor MHA Michelle O'Byrne shared her deepest sympathy for Ms Brown and those in Greig's life.
Deputy mayor Danny Gibson posted Greig was "kind, wholesome, tenacious, giving, humble and oh, so much fun".
"Our city will miss you. Our arts and cultural sector will miss you ... I will miss you. Your legacy will live on," he said.
The Australian Musical Theatre Festival, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and Arts Tasmania were also among the companies to share their condolences.
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