Narooma’s first Regional Busking Festival and Competition last Saturday was such a success, so much so that Narooma Rotary president Bob Antill said the club would like to make it an annual event.
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“It was a great day with 57 buskers performing at the town’s 29 sponsored Busking Hot Spots and literally filling the town with music, but the event didn’t just happen,” he said.
“It was the result of a lot of work by a dedicated committee who did an amazing job and with the support of the whole community.”
The Festival was organised by Narooma Rotary Club, partnered with the River of Art, and was part of the Australian National Busking Championships (ANBC).
Over 500 people filled Narooma Golf Club auditorium late Saturday afternoon and evening for the concert by the festival’s ambassadors The String Family, followed by a concert by the finalists in the busker competition and the presentation of prizes.
Three people associated with ANBC judged the buskers throughout the day.
The judges made 24 awards, the major ones being:
- Open champion: Tyler Strucklak and Skye Armstrong of Batemans Bay ($1,000 donated by Narooma Sporting & Services Club)
- Open second: Mariano Reggiani and Mike Jones of Fretz & Reedz of Tilba ($500 Narooma and Dalmeny IGAs)
- Open third: Liquid Sun from South Gundagai ($250 Blue Water Seafoods)
- Secondary champion: Matilda Rose of Bredbo ($500 Narooma High School)
- Secondary second: Will Stephens of Werribee, Victoria ($300 Narooma Seafood Direct)
- Secondary third: Charlize & Eric of Akolele ($100 Narooma Mechanical and Automotive Services)
- Primary Champion: Narooma Rhythm Hunters ($300 Easts Holiday Parks)
- Primary Second Place: Mitchell Loudoun of Dalmeny ($200 Montague Vets)
- Primary Third Place: Bray Constable of Narooma ($100 Narooma Mechanical and Automotive Services)
- Best Band (three or more performers): Kumera Patch of Congo ($500 Narooma Pharmacy and Rotary)
- Best local performer: Jakob Poyner ($300 Narooma Plaza)
The People’s Choice Awards (awarded to buskers who received the most Busker Votes):
- Winner: Narooma Rhythm Hunters ($1,000 Narooma Golf Club)
- Second: Kumera Patch of Congo ($300 Narooma Plaza Pharmacy)
- Third: Matilda Rose of Bredbo ($200 Lynch’s Hotel)
Festival coordinator Sandra Doyle was delighted with the number of people who turned out for the Festival, many coming from Batemans Bay to Bega, and with their responses.
“It has been an awesome community event,” Mrs Doyle said.
“We want to thank everyone who took part – spectators, buskers, our sponsors especially our major sponsors – Narooma Golf Club, Narooma Sporting & Services Club and Narooma Easts Holiday Park – and our team of volunteers from our own Rotary Club and from Lions, Quota, Probus, View, CWA and MACS.”
Mrs Doyle paid special tribute to her “Dream Team” of Rotarians Lynda Ord, Chris O’Brien and husband John, with assistance from her daughter Nadine Holland.
Narooma Festival winners will be invited to compete in the National Grand Final in Cooma in November.
Stan Gorton
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
