Blacktown’s new Atura Hotel gets behind local talent on show weekend

March 2014

Up and coming musicians taking to the Blacktown Show stage last weekend had judges, audiences and Atura Hotel representatives questioning whether Australian’s next big superstar would hail from Blacktown.

After a hotly contested final, first place was awarded to pop-country singer and songwriter Rachael Fahim whose stand-out performances on the day included Blue Moon of Kentucky & Anyway by Martina McBride.  Along with $500 cash, Rachel also won a mini-break at Atura Blacktown Hotel.

Rachael competed against seven others in the Talent Quest Final including Maddie Amble who placed second, third place-getter Leonie Oakley and our Encouragement Award Winners Kobie Midson, Kodie Amos, Kim Regent, Bethany Harrison and Olivia Grey.  No finalists walked away empty handed as everyone received at least $100 cash for their efforts.

Carol Heuchan, Internationally renowned Australian Bush Poet added her signature sizzle to the event with an engaging and entertaining style that helped relax the anxious finalists ahead of their performances.

The performances made a huge impression on Joel Gordon, General Manager of Event Sponsor and local business Atura Blacktown.  “I was blown away by the standard of the performances we saw in the final and certainly didn’t envy the job the judges had to pick a winner.  They were all stars as far as I was concerned.”

“We have some fantastic local talent in Blacktown and it is great to have events such as the Blacktown Show to give them an opportunity to be heard’ said Bam Bam Music Store Owner and Talent Quest Judge Melissa Mariasson.

It wasn’t just the performance artists that stole the show with their creative flair.  The future of Blacktown’s thriving art scene proved to be in safe hands as competition art pieces made picking a winner difficult.

Cassie Grace’s ‘Black Beauty” won Atura Blacktown’s ‘Best of the Best’ Art Prize with award sponsor and Hotel General Manager Joel Gordon noting that he was immediately drawn to the piece. “Cassie’s piece was so powerful that I couldn’t take my eyes off it.” he said. “The Atura concept is all about doing things differently and being unique and that is what we saw reflected in Cassie’s art.”

“As a new business to the area and a new sponsor of the show, I can’t stress enough how impressed I was with the local creative talent and we’re looking forward to a long association with the Blacktown Show.”

-ENDS-

For all media and image enquiries please contact:
Bria Lamberton
PR & Promotions – Atura Hotels
Event Hospitality and Entertainment
478 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
PH: +61 2 9373 6600 | M: +61 447 901 497
E: [email protected]