Junior Star Finder

Semi Finalists have now been selected for Ballina Star Finder 2007 with the first semi final this Sunday from 2.30pm.

The lineup for each semi final follows:

Semi Final 1 - Sunday, October 28
Jeff Morris, Tracey Reynolds, Heidi Adams, Chantell Connolly, Phil Mayer, Holly Brown, Cheney Holton, Intan Udur & Terressa Herring.

Semi Final 2 - Sunday, November 4
Toni Coles, Mark Thompson, Samantha Ford, Jessica Curry, Jesse Mount, Sarah Grant, Ricki Lee Petrie, Marlyn Vause & Rodney Cameron.

Semi Final 3 - Sunday, November 11
Naomi Watson, Brett Kempnich, Skye Wood, Emma Randall, Madelaine Patrech, Tracey Candy, Leticia Armstrong, Harry Nichols, Laura Scott & Sarah Connor.

Don’t miss your chance to witness some extraordinary talent over the next few weeks as the best of the best continue to battle it out for over $11,000 in cash and prizes.

The GRAND Final of the 2007 Junior Star Finder competition took place at the Ballina RSL Bowling Club, Canal Road Ballina on Sunday August 12th.

Fifteen contestants aged from 10 to 13 years delighted the large crowd and made the judge’s task almost impossible. The winner’s points could not be split so the decision was made to have two winners and two second place awards. Gary Fox came up with an additional Panasonic CD Stereo System for the joint winners.

The sportsmanship and mature attitude displayed by all the contestants was phenomenal. Haylee Writer (12 years – Ballina) smiled her way through technical problems not once but three times during her performance. Haylee handled the pressure very well and came back stronger each time. Haylee’s attitude was very mature for one so young.

First place was shared by Sammy Jo Coleman (11 Years – Ballina) and Zac Barnham (11 years – Alstonville). Both received a Panasonic CD Stereo System plus a Laser 1 GB MP3 Player, sponsored by Gary Fox The Good Guys Ballina and $100.00 in cash sponsored by the Ballina RSL Club. Equal second place was awarded to Laura Dilling (13 years – Federal) and Chloe Lang (12 years – Ballina), both girls received 1 GB MP3 player’s from Gary Fox The Good Guys Ballina and $50.00 cash from the Ballina RSL Club.

The next three contestants came within one point from the second place getters. Francesca Miller (13 years – Ocean Shores), Hannah Solly (11 years – Lismore) and Claudia Allard (12 years – Burringbar) caused much discussion when the judges were deliberating the outcome of the event.

All Grand Finalists received CD vouchers from All Music and Vision. The children presented the judges and event support with gifts at the conclusion of the day. Dylan Alderman delivered the speech while Claudia Allard presented gifts. All parents can be extremely proud of their children.

BACK ROW L-R
Chloe Lang, Event Judge Susan Teyes, Sponsor and Judge Gary Fox, Laura Dilling and Event Judge Sam Vitrue
FRONT ROW L-R
Sammy Jo Coleman and Zac Barnham

BACK ROW L-R
Dylan Alderman, Hannah Stroud-Watts, Zac Barnham, Francesca Miller, Lani Pardon
CENTRE ROW L-R
Haylee Writer, Erin Baker, Emily Van Baarsen, Hannah Solly, Chloe Lang
FRONT ROW L-R
Dana Lock, Sammy Jo Coleman, Claudia Allard, Jeremy Stevenson and Laura Dilling

The fifth and final heat of the 2007 Junior Starfinder competition took place at the Ballina RSL Bowling Club, Canal Road Ballina on Sunday August 5th.

Nine contestants aged from 9 to 13 years of age competed in the final heat. The last group of three contestants to take their place in the Grand Final were Chloe Lang (12 years - South Ballina), Erin Baker (10 years - Ballina) and Dylan Alderman (13 years - Ballina). All participants receive CD vouchers from Ballina RSL Club Ltd, All Music and Vision and Gary Fox the Good Guys Ballina.

Event Judges were unanimous in their decision. Event judge, Sam Virtue said of Erin Baker, “You sent shivers up my back – thank you” at the conclusion of her second song, I still call Australia home by Peter Allen.

The Grand Final is scheduled to commence at 1pm Sunday August 12th at the Ballina RSL Bowling Club, Canal Road, Ballina.

Finalists Heat 5

Left to Right: Chloe Lang (South Ballina), Dylan Alderman (Ballina), Gary Fox (Event Judge & Sponsor) & Erin Baker (Ballina)

Contestants Heat 5

L - R Back Row
Annie Alderman (Ballina), Shania Rose (Alstonville), Jaymi Dolan (Wardell), Brooke Rudgley (Tintenbar), Brooke Moore (Ballina)
L - R Front Row
Chloe Lang (South Ballina), Dylan Alderman (Ballina), Erin Baxter (Ballina), Hannah Goodchild (Mullumbimby)

Heat four of the 2007 Junior Starfinder competition took place at the Ballina RSL Bowling Club, Canal Road Ballina on Sunday July 29.

Seven contestants took place in the competition. The next group of three contestants to take their place in the Grand Final were Francesca Miller (13 years – Ocean Shores), Haylee Writer (12 – Ballina) and Lani Pardon (10 – Ballina). All participants receive CD vouchers from Ballina RSL Club Ltd, All Music and Vision and Gary Fox the Good Guys Ballina.

Francesca Miller was the final contestant to take the stage on Sunday. Francesca delighted the crowd with her two song choices - Had a bad day and Sunday Morning. Event Judge, Susan Teyes commented “Wow! What a way to finish our afternoon. I think you are brilliant. You have a massive vocal range and you know how to use it”.

With one heat remaining this weekend, the Grand Final is shaping up to be a fantastic afternoon of entertainment.

Finalists Heat 4

Left to Right: Back Row - (Event Judges)Susan Teyes and Sam Virtue. Front Row - Lani Pardon (Ballina), Francesca Miller (Ocean Shores) and Haylee Winter (Ballina)

Contestants Heat 4

L-R Back Row
Melanie Neergaard (Ballina), Madison Ryan (Ballina), Brooke Tonks (Dunoon), Arielle Hankinson (Ballina)
L-R Front Row
Lani Pardon (Ballina), Francesca Miller (Ocean Shores) and Haylee Writer (Ballina)

The third of 5 heats of the 2007 Junior Starfinder competition took place at the Ballina RSL Bowling Club, Canal Road Ballina on Sunday July 22.

Eight contestants took place in the competition. The third group of three contestants to take their place in the Grand Final were Sammy Jo Coleman (11 years - Ballina), Emily Van Baarsen (13 – Goonellabah) and Dana Lock (10 – Ballina). All participants receive CD vouchers from Ballina RSL Club Ltd, All Music and Vision and Gary Fox The Good Guys Ballina.

Event judges, Gary Fox, Susan Teyes and Samantha Virtue encouraged all the contestants for getting up and giving it a go. All three judges passed on valuable tips to the young stars of the future.

Gary Fox announced prior to the Presentation of the day’s winner that never in the history of the Junior or Senior competitions had any contestant received a perfect score until today, Ballina’s own Pocket Rocket Sammy Jo Coleman was the first to do so. Sammy sang into everyone’s hearts with Blue (Leanne Rimes) and A Little Bit Lonesome (Kasey Chambers). Event Judge, Sam Virtue said “You are the Bomb; Country Girls watch out, cause here she comes”.

Finalists Heat 3

Dana Lock (Ballina), Gary Fox (Event Sponsor and Judge), Sammy Jo Coleman (Ballina) and Emily Van Baarsen (Goonellabah)

All Contestants Heat 3

Back Row – Standing L-R
Jessica Camilleri, Penny Skehan, Phoebe Dlask, Stephanie Bordin & Jemima Masterson
Front Row L-R
Dana Lock, Sammy Jo Coleman (Standing front) & Emily Van Baarsen