Singers will battle to help the homeless

Mark Holden and Deni Hines will touch down in the Top End in a bid to get a roof over homeless young people’s heads in Darwin and Palmerston.

The Australian pop idols will be in town to guest judge Mission Australia’s Urban Quest, a fundraising talent competition that aims to increase awareness about local youth homelessness. 

Holden and Hines will team up with local celebrity radio host Amanda Pernechele to judge the finals concert on 2 April at the Darwin Entertainment Centre.  

Mission Australia Operations Manager Brad McIver said the event will address an emerging problem in Darwin and Palmerston.

“The majority of young homeless people are fending for themselves and sleep out in improvised dwellings or shack in with friends, acquaintances and really anywhere they can,” Mr McIver said.

“Urban Quest will help generate funds to support the development of accommodation for them through event participation, public donation and finals concert tickets.”

In the Territory, up to 5000 people are homeless and more than one quarter are young people aged between 12 and 18 years.

Urban Quest is open to solo acts and groups aged between 10 and 19 years across vocal, street, rap and beatboxing categories. 

Heats will be held at schools in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine and the Tiwi Islands with Mark Holden to judge the semi finals at Casuarina Square on 29 March.

Ten acts will go through to the finals concert and experience a workshop with Holden ahead of the big night at the Darwin Entertainment Centre on 2 April. 

The concert opens National Youth Week in Darwin and includes a guest performance by Deni Hines.

Competition details:

·         Entry closes 1 March

·         Heats at Tiwi Island College on 9 March

Maningrida Community 11 March

Darwin High School, Sanderson Middle School, Palmerston Library and Katherine High School on 9 March at 3:30pm

Malak Theatre, Palmerston Library and Browns Mart Theatre on 19 March at 2pm

·         Semi finals at Casuarina Square on 29 March  at 3:30pm

·         Urban Quest finals concert at Darwin Entertainment Centre on 2 April at 7pm

For more information, entry forms and to donate visit www.missionaustralia.com.au or facebook.com/missionaust.