Casey Idol Priscilla

By Kelly Yates and
HAMPTON Park singer Priscilla Leveque is this year’s Casey Idol.
The 24-year-old won the title at last Saturday night’s 2009 Casey Idol finals after singing a version of Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing in front of a crowd of more than 300.
Ms Leveque told the News she felt awesome taking home the title of Casey Idol.
She not only walked away from the competition winning the open age section and the best vocal performer award, but also scored a full-day recording and song production session at Audio Visual Media’s Cranbourne North recording studio and a mobile phone.
Ms Leveque, who has been singing for 12 years, said she would love to sing for a living.
“Everyone hopes to be famous. I’d like to crack into the music industry and make it my full time career,” Ms Leveque said.
The local performer says she draws her inspiration from singers such as Whitney Houston and Christina Aguilera.
“I love how they have great big vocal ranges,” she said.
The 2009 Casey Idol event, which was held at the Arthur Wren Hall, raised nearly $4000 for the Cranbourne Police Senior Citizens Register which was the Casey mayor Geoff Ablett’s nominated charity. Greta Radnetter from the Cranbourne Police Senior Citizens Register said she was thrilled to learn the register would receive the money to purchase a vehicle to be used for volunteers to make home visits to seniors on the register, especially those feeling lonely or experiencing a difficult time.
Currently, volunteers make regular phone calls to seniors on the register to check-up on their wellbeing.
“It’s so exciting. It’s just wonderful. It will make a huge difference because we will be able to have a car to use instead of volunteers doing it at their own expense,” Ms Radnetter said.
Hampton Park’s Holy Trinity Anglican Church also raised $500 by operating the canteen on the night.
Organiser and River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith said the event was an outstanding success, with the audience enjoying a night of solid entertainment.
“It certainly was the most successful Casey Idol,” he said.
Cr Smith said he knew Ms Leveque was going to win.
“I remember sitting there thinking, how could anyone beat this person,” he said.
Ms Leveque performed Right Here Waiting by Richard Marx at Tuesday night’s council meeting.