Invercargill born prima ballerina Rowena Jackson died in Brisbane last week (15 Aug), aged 98.

Born on 24th March 1926, Jackson attended Waihopai School in Invercargill before moving to Dunedin and later Auckland.

In 1941 Jackson won the first Royal Academy of Dance scholarship in New Zealand, which led to her moving to London before joining the Sadler's Wells Ballet School (later renamed the Royal Ballet) in 1946.

She was promoted to prima ballerina of the company in February 1954.

In 1959 Jackson and her British husband Philip Chatfield - also a noted dancer - moved back to New Zealand where she became the artistic director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet company.

In 1961 Jackson was awarded an MBE for services to ballet.

The couple moved to Brisbane, Australia in 1993.

Jackson's Southland roots continue to be celebrated in the province, with a retirement village and a rehearsal room at the Invercargill Civic Theatre named in her honour.