Inverell’s Town Hall will once again be alive with music, dance, and laughter when Inverell’s Got Talent returns this October as part of the town’s long-running Sapphire City Festival.
Now in its sixteenth year, the talent show has become a cornerstone of the festival calendar.
“We started the event in 2010 as a community project and a fundraiser for the town,” Paul Allison, past president and current publicity officer of the Inverell East Rotary Club said.
“It’s become an integral part of what we do every year, and we usually pack the town hall for the finals night.”
The event serves as the festival’s opening night, drawing performers and audiences from across the district.
“We have people from all backgrounds – choirs, rock bands, vocalists, guitarists, pianists,” Mr Allison said.
“It’s unbelievable. We’ve got talent ranging from classical to rock, and we involve kids and adults. It’s a fun night.”
With two thousand dollars in prize money on offer, performers will compete in junior and open categories, with awards also recognising standout efforts such as most improved.
Over the years, categories have varied, including prizes for original songs, but this year the focus will remain on showcasing the strongest performers in each age group.
“We usually have about 20 performances,” Mr Allison said. “We have plenty of entries, so we try to narrow it down during auditions to a respectable number. The final show runs about two to three hours.”
While the Inverell East Rotary Club hosts the event, Mr Allison is quick to highlight the individuals who have kept it running.
“Even though it’s organised by our club, there’s one man in particular – Tim Newbury, a past president – who really started it, and he’s been landed with the job ever since,” Mr Allison said.
“Richard Hudson, our executive secretary, does all the online stuff – bookings, entries – he’s our IT guy. The event is also supported by a large group of sponsors that we are really grateful for.”
This year’s highlight will be a performance by guest judge Luke Vassella, a Lismore-based singer-songwriter well known along the NSW North Coast.
“He’s fantastic,” Mr Allison said. “He’s really popular from Byron Bay down to Port Macquarie – a great performer and a recording artist.”
For Mr Allison, the event’s success lies in the ongoing enthusiasm of the community and the steady flow of new talent.
“Everybody expects it every year,” he said. “I don’t think we’ll ever be able to stop it.”
Auditions will be held at Inverell High School’s Welsh Hall on Thursday, 10 October, with entries closing the week prior on Friday, 4 October.
Finalists will then take the stage at the Town Hall on Friday, 18 October, for the much-anticipated performance night.
Tickets, which remain at the same price as in recent years, are $15 for adults, $10 for secondary students, and $5 for younger children, and can be purchased online through TryBooking, at the Tourist Information Centre, or via the Inverell’s Got Talent Facebook page.
Read all the way through to the end of the story? So did lots of other people. Advertise with New England Times to reach New England locals who are interested and engaged. Find out more here.