By Cam Lucadou-Wells
An annual Cranbourne singing contest, which has raised more than $25,000 for Cancer Council Victoria, is open for auditions.
Star Search 2016 winners Victoria Nikolaou and Frankie Mileto say they revelled in the experience – an audition, heats and then a grand final.
Both have gone on to perform with other grand finallists at Berwick Show, Casey Kids Carnival and Relay 4 Life events.
Victoria, 11, who took out the junior category with a performance of Little Mix’s song Wings, is re-entering in the next oldest age-division.
She’s loved singing for as long as she can remember and sung at festivals and school concerts.
The Star Search quest took her confidence to another level.
She got more comfortable on stage and made a heap of friends, with a dream of a stint on Eurovision quite a few years down the track – or being the next Adele.
“I enjoyed the experience a lot,” she says.
“It was fun and exciting. I was a little bit nervous about it but got over it quite quickly.”
Frankie, a 22-year-old actor, won the people’s choice award with some famous air-guitar on the floor during his rendition of Pink’s song Trouble.
He appreciated the supportive environment, given he didn’t have a singing background.
“It’s great just to be up on stage and being able to perform – and it’s for a good cause.”
Star Search, which is run by volunteers, will once again donate money to helping people with cancer.
Singers of all ages can perform a song either as a solo, duo or trio act at the auditions.
Without any need to pre-book, they are instructed to bring their music as well as a $15 entry fee.
The event progresses to heats in July, with the grand final battle for cash and trophies at Westfield Fountain Gate in August.
The auditions are on Sunday 21 May, 2pm and Friday 26 May, 6pm at The Factory Rehearsal Centre, 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East. Gold-coin entry for spectators. Details: www.starsearch4ac.com.au
