Entertainment
19 March, 2026
Spotlight on young talent
PREPARATIONS are in full swing for the 39th Innisfail Young Performers Competition, set to take the stage from 1–6 June. The annual showcase will once again spotlight the region’s rising talent, with young artists competing across vocal, instrumental, speech, drama and literary categories.
The event, run by a dedicated volunteer committee, provides intimate venues and highly regarded, experienced and qualified adjudicators. Every competitor receives a detailed critique sheet, offering encouragement and objective advice to help them on their musical/speech and drama journey.
In early 1987, an informal conversation took place on the street between Ailsa Moyle and Joanne Pagano.
Soon after, the first committee of the Innisfail Young Performers’ Competition convened and election of the first executive took place.
Lorna Jarvis was the first secretary, Mrs Moyle president and George Kotzas became treasurer while the patron was Julie Brown. Amazingly, after extensive planning and preparation the first inaugural completion took place not long after the initial conversation between the two ladies.
Jan O’Donnell from Cairns was the first instrumental/vocal adjudicator and Betty Tilse from Atherton, the first speech and drama adjudicator.
In the first year there were 40 individual entrants, the competition ran for a day and a half and was divided into 30 small sections with 13 choirs.
President Richard Graham said the event continued to be an important event for young people in the region to perform on the stage.
“Each year we see a large number of young people grow in confidence through the experience of performing, receiving feedback and developing lifelong friendships,” he said.
The adjudicators for this year’s competition are Louise King (music), Arminelle Fleming from TheatreiNQ (speech and drama) and Chris Burcin (choral).
This year’s preliminary program is out now and includes a wide range of sessions, from prepared readings and impromptu speeches to choirs, as well as solo instrumental performances.
The competition is open to amateurs 18 years and younger with sessions held at the Con Theatre, Shire Hall and Good Counsel auditorium.
IYPC is a wonderful celebration of music and drama for youth with choir, vocal, instrumental, contemporary and speech and drama competitions.
Mr Graham is encouraging community members to come along and support the young performers, volunteer during the week, or donate to the event.
Event organisers hope to see a stack of local talent take to the stage again.
Entries close on 30 April, and details are available via the new website www.innisfailyoungperformers.org.au.
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