27/10/04
A total of 15 talented seniors' acts will this afternoon take to the stage in front of an audience of 1,000 to compete for the chance to be crowned Western Australia's first-ever 'Senior Star'.
Seniors' Minister Sheila McHale will open the 'Search for a Senior Star' talent competition Grand Final at the Australian Pensioners Insurance Agency Seniors Concert at the Regal Theatre.
Ms McHale said the finalists were chosen from a field of 128 entries and two competition heats held in Bunbury and South Perth.
"The top 15 include impressive solo vocalists, sassy tap dancers, snappy barbershop singers, a quirky mime act and a choir," she said.
"Our finalists already impressed the judges with amazing performances during the competition heats, and the pressure is on to perform at their peak during the Grand Final."
The finalists have just four minutes each to perform for the scrutiny of the judging panel, which includes The Sunday Times social writer Holly Wood, John West of Sunfly Karaoke and Beth Ormsby from BBC Entertainment.
Ms McHale congratulated all finalists for their efforts.
"The popularity of this competition and the amazing talent of our finalists shows WA has an untapped resource in talented senior performers," she said.
The winner will receive a professional karaoke machine, courtesy of Sunfly Australia, and a $500 Woolworths gift-voucher and will have the opportunity to perform during the WA Seniors Awards Gala Ceremony (October 31).
The second and third place-getters will also receive generous prizes.
The concert is an official BankWest Seniors Week event. For more information about BankWest Seniors Week call 9328 9155 or 1800 671 233 (for country callers) or see http://www.osi.wa.gov.au.
Sponsors of BankWest Seniors Week 2004 are BankWest, Australian Pensioners Insurance Agency, The Western Australian Senior, Hollywood Private Hospital, Woolworths Supermarkets, Channel Nine Perth, The Sunday Times, Radio 6PR, WIN Television and Council on the Ageing (WA).
Minister's office: 9213 6900
'Search for a Senior Star' - Finalists
