By Sonia Isaacs
AFTER months of preparation and planning, the highly anticipated ‘Surge’ High School Rock Spectacular was held at the Caloundra Events Centre Playhouse on Wednesday August 17 to a large appreciative crowd of supporters, family, and friends. 26 kids from five local high school rock bands representing Beerwah, Burnside, Caloundra, and Maleny State High Schools, along with Meridan State College battled it out, with the judging panel of industry heavyweights impressed with the calibre of talent displayed by the teenage rock stars.
Meridan State College were declared winners on the night, receiving a trophy, music vouchers and a coveted opportunity to perform at this year’s Caloundra Music Festival. The award for ‘Best Guitarist’ was handed out to year 12 Beerwah State High student Rory Callinan, who impressed the judges including Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson and Caloundra Music Festival director Richie Eyles, with her immersive rock performance.
As well as the honour, Rory was presented a guitar worth $650 from Glasshouse Guitar Works as part of her prize.
Mike Turner from Beerwah State High School said everyone who attended the evening loved it, and a lot of great feedback had been received from the schools, parents and kids involved.
Mr Turner said that one of the “coolest highlights by far” of the evening was a ‘secret surprise’ performance of a sixth band comprised of one member from each school who performed an electrifying version of the iconic punk rock anthem ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go’ by The Clash. To provide “the cherry on the top”, the finale performance also involved the remaining kids from all the bands get up onstage to dance in ‘flash mob’ style performance that echoed the collaborative and supportive spirit of the inaugural event that was brilliantly received by all involved.
Mr Turner said that already the school and music industry community were expressing their support for a similar styled event to happen again next year, and he is thrilled by the success of the initiative which promoted young people championing positive mental health through their music, and forming connections with each other and the music industry here on the Sunshine Coast.
“There was a comment made on the night which I think summed it all up well, it was about how people hadn’t seen youth unite like this before, and it was a strong theme that came across to the audience that these were young people working well and being on this journey together which was positive,” said Mr Turner.
“I feel so proud of the team and everyone involved, and because there has been so many disruptions, postponements, and cancellations to events in the last few years it’s been a really nice feeling to have something come together that works and is completed from beginning to end.
“It’s really encouraged me as well to work with such lovely teenagers who were just brilliant kids. It was great to see so many girls who wanted to rock enter the competition, and that the kids were so proactive and willing to seize this wonderful opportunity,” said Mr Turner.
Main image: Winning band ‘Lamkin Lane’ from Meridan State College