It's been quite the few months for Parkes Shire's singers, who have not only participated in a regional junior karaoke talent quest but also the grand final of the annual Australian National Busking Championships.
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Kosmik Entertainment, in conjunction with the Parkes Leagues Club, hosted a Junior Karaoke Talent Quest at the club during October and November.
It's the first time a junior karaoke competition had been held in the area, co-organiser Bill Kosseris of Kosmik Dance Duo said, with the heats conducted in October and the grand final on November 3.
The two sections of the competition were for Sub Junior, up to 13 years old and Junior - 13 to 18 years.
There were 14 grand finalists in total, with four Juniors and 10 Sub Juniors taking to the stage, competing for prize money and trophies totalling $800.
Bill was thrilled with the outcome and praised every young entrant who gave the talent quest their all.
"It was the first year we did this for juniors," he said.
"The Parkes Leagues Club is proud to promote and encourage junior talent in our region - a testament of this is the distances some of the contestants travelled, including Narromine, Alectown, Eugowra, Forbes and of course Parkes.
"With people travelling from other areas and performing in Parkes, it all helps promote the town."
Kirsten Minnick, also from Kosmik Dance Duo, was operator of the production of the talent quest, which was compared by Bill.
The competition was very ably judged by Peter and Gale Bell from Gedupandance, a highly successful duo from Cootamundra.
Among the talent quest entrants were Hannah Dun, Gemma Ellis and Anabelle Van Wyk of Parkes, who all had also qualified for the grand finals of the Australian National Busking Championships.
The 2019 karaoke talent quest grand finalists
Sub Juniors:
- Anabelle Van Wyk - 12 yrs.
- Aria Johnson - 12 yrs.
- Pheoby Davies - 10 yrs.
- Grace Powley - 10 yrs.
- Harrison Rowbotham - 8 yrs.
- Gemma Ellis - 12 yrs.
- Zeon Berger - 8 yrs.
- Zamael Berger - 11 yrs.
- Emily Cox - 9 yrs.
- Maddison Dopson - 10 yrs.
Juniors:
- Zayden Berger - 13 yrs.
- Zarek Berger - 16 yrs.
- Amity Gordon - 16 yrs.
- Hannah Dun - 14 yrs.
Sub Junior winners
1st Gemma Ellis of Parkes.
2nd Zamael Berger.
3rd Anabelle Van Wyk of Parkes.
Junior winners
1st Hannah Dun of Parkes.
2nd Amity Gordon.
3rd Zayden Berger.
Busking finals
The Parkes region was well represented at this year's Australian National Busking Championships grand final in Cooma.
The prestigious competition took place on November 16, with Peak Hill hosting one of its regional qualifying finals on September 14.
Parkes trio Hannah Dun, Gemma Ellis and Anabelle Van Wyk all qualified for the Cooma grand finals, with all three claiming a place.
Anabelle came second in Australia in the Primary category, while Gemma was named third in the same section (Primary), and Hannah was runner-up in the Secondary category.
Anabelle described this year's championships on her Facebook page as "an unforgettable day... A one-of-a-kind experience and an incredible atmosphere".
Hannah was also proud of her achievement, also sharing her thoughts on Facebook.
"I proudly represented my region in the Secondary category and was privileged to achieve national runner up," she said.
"I would like to say a big thanks to Allan Spencer (judge), organisers, sponsors and volunteers who put on an amazing effort to let all buskers share our love for music."
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