Junior Star Finder

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