Urban Quest discovers Darwin's next singing sensation

2013 Urban Quest winner
Charlotte Gittins

She may be just fourteen but that didn’t stop Charlotte Gittins from singing her way to Urban Quest success over the weekend.

The Dripstone Middle School student outperformed nine other finalists to win Mission Australia’s premier singing competition at the Darwin Waterfront on Saturday night.

Gittins sang Florence and the Machine’s I won’t call you a Liar to win the hotly contested event and land herself a career pathways package with Music NT, an Apple MacBook laptop and headphones.

"Darwin a star is born," former Australian Idol judge Mark Holden said about the Palmerston singer’s mesmerising performance.

The music industry veteran also awarded her one of his trademark “touchdowns” and said Urban Quest was just the beginning of her music career.

Crowd favourite VJ Bumanlag was the 2013 Urban Quest runner up while Katherine singer Sarina Pech was second runner up with an original track. 

Now in its third year, Mission Australia’s Urban Quest aims to help young people build self esteem and confidence through music.

Youth Services Manager Adrian McCann said the night was a huge success with a 600-strong crowd enjoying the concert under the stars.

“It was wonderful to see so many people come down and support these up and coming young stars”, Mr McCann said.  

“All of the finalists should be very proud and put on an amazing show for the Darwin community after three days mentoring with Mark Holden and Paul Costa.”

The night also included guest performances by judges Paul Costa and Dave Garnham, 2012 Urban Quest winner Gabby Wright, Darwin X Factor star Shiane Hawke and local hip hop group My Team Dilemma.

Urban Quest is proudly supported by sponsors Larrakia TV and Radio, the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, Dreamedia, Casuarina Square, Music NT, Inpex, the Office of Youth Affairs and Darwin International Airport.

For more information visit www.missionaustralia.com.au

Quest for the next Jessica Mauboy

Ten young Territorians will sing to win Mission Australia’s Urban Quest at the Darwin Waterfront this Saturday 6 July.

The hunt for the Territory’s best young singer kicked off earlier this year with auditions held in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine and Alice Springs in May.

The ten Urban Quest finalists will fine tune their skills at a three-day intensive mentoring workshop with Mark “Touchdown” Holden and country singer Paul Costa, who’s latest single Big End of Town is at the top of the Australian Country Music Charts, ahead of the big night.

Mentor and judge Mark Holden has been involved in Mission Australia’s premier youth event since its inception in 2011 and said it will be difficult to choose a winner.

“The talent this year is the best I’ve seen at Urban Quest over the past three years - it’s true,” the former Australian Idol judge said.

Mr Holden and Paul Costa will team up with Darwin’s very own singer songwriter Dave Garnham and Music NT’s Amy Hetherington to judge the Urban Quest Finals Concert.

The Urban Quest Finals Concert is free for the public and will be held under the stars at the Darwin Waterfront from 6pm.

“We encourage everyone to come along to the Waterfront, enjoy a night of entertainment and support these young singers,” Mission Australia’s Adrian McCann said.

“Urban Quest is for the community and without our partners Larrakia TV and Radio, the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, Dreamedia, Casuarina Square, Music NT, Inpex, the Office of Youth Affairs, Darwin Airport Corporation it wouldn’t be possible.”

To follow the progress of the event visit facebook.com/MissionAust.

The 2013 Urban Quest Finalists are:
• Jenaya Allen (14 years), Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Alice Springs

• VJ Bumanlag (18 years), Darwin

• Tatiana Da Silva (14 years), O’Laughlin Catholic College, Darwin

• Brandon Folino-Driver (16 years), Darwin High School, Darwin

• Charlotte Gittins (14 years), Dripstone Middle Collge, Darwin

• Charlee Mullins (14 years), Taminmin College, Darwin

• Helena Smith (16 years), NT Open Education, Darwin

• Phoebe Wear (11 years), Larrakeyah Primary School, Darwin

• Dakota Oxenham (13 years), St Joseph’s College, Katherine

• Sarina Pech (18 years), Charles Darwin University, Katherine Rural Campus, Katherine