By TESSA MAPSTONE
BIG smiles and even bigger dance moves were busted across the floor at the Endeavour Foundation’s Battle of the Bands last Wednesday in Tewantin.
Six bands from Noosa, Kawana and Nambour performed to a packed audience hall in a celebration of music and having a go despite the limitations of having a disability.
Competition judge Cherry Bright said the event was all about getting involved and having fun.
“Everyone is a winner because everyone has done the best they can to their ability,” she said.
Strong support from local businesses saw each band receive a prize from the $750 pool of donations.
Prize for ‘best band’ went to The Outsiders, students in a special music program at Nambour TAFE, who performed original songs and wowed the crowd with their musical prowess.
TAFE teacher and temporary bass player for the band Mikey Cheetham said he was proud of his students and hoped to see them gigging at mainstream venues in the future.
“They’re not a band of disabled people,” he said.
“They’re a band.”
Endeavour Support and Operations manager Julie Elford said she received an overwhelming response to the concert.
“The event touched many people’s hearts,” she said.
“(Parents) seeing their children perform and staff and volunteers seeing how far people from our service had come from when they first started practicing three months ago.”
