Talent quest grand area finals

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 5, 25 June 1985, Page 3

Talent quest grand area finals

A capacity crowd packed the Ohakune Hotel lounge bar on Thursday night to watch the Grand Area Finals Talent Quest.

Six finalists were chosen from twelve acts, who sang and played two songs each. Gordon Pepere was first in the 'middle of the road' category, with Brenda Menehira taking second. In the Polynesian and instrumental category, Ivan Wiari was first with Debbie Perkins second. Country and western winner was Bob McGinniss with Nolene Churton second. These six performers will now compete at a show in Manunui for an area prize of $500, with the top three from that round going to Rotorua at the end of the year to compete with the best from the rest of the country. The winner at Rotorua

will collect a prize of $8,000, will have the opportunity to appear in a major show in Australia and will also be offered night club work. Bruce Leggatt, proprietor of the Ohakune Hotel, said he was very pleased with the way the talent quest had gone over the period of weeks it had been running. The standard of entertainment had been very high he added. Ratu Lewis, presenter of the show, judged Thursday's final, along with Rose Downes and Janey Dixon. Winner of each category was given a voucher for a dinner for two, plus a bottle of champagne, supplied by the Ohakune Hotel. Janey Dixon presented the prizes.