The Australian National Busking Championships™ (ANBC) is an Australia-wide network of busking festivals, celebrating the rich diversity of Australian Music & Street Performance Culture. It was first held in Cooma in 2012 and is now held in 9 locations around the country, culminating in the national finals in Cooma each year where the winner of the grand final is given the title of Australian National Busking Champion along with substantial prize monies.
The partnership of Erina and The Entrance Rotary Clubs with the Australian National Busking Championships came about following a visit to Noosa in Queensland by Erina Rotarian Fiona Morrison. Fiona saw the potential for a Central Coast chapter of the Busking Championships, with the Memorial Park at The Entrance being an ideal location. As Erina Rotary Club already had a strong relationship with The Entrance Rotary Club, joining forces on this event provided an opportunity to work together again. Under the guidance of Erina President Mark Hancock, Secretary Jason van Ritten and The Entrance Rotary Club President Peter Ward, and members from both clubs, the first Central Coast heat of the Busking Championships was undertaken in September 2022.
With the sun shining on performers, crowds turned out to encourage their favourite buskers and to vote for the People’s Choice favourite by giving their favourite a purchased token (or two!). Prizes totaling $4000 were sponsored by local businesses, Rotary Clubs and individuals, to support the recognition of individuals who devote their time, energy and enthusiasm as performers in the Central Coast region. Categories included Open section (18+ years), Secondary School aged (14 – 17 years) and Primary School aged (13 years and under). Additional prizes were awarded for the People Choice, Judges Encouragement Award, General encouragement awards and Best Band on the day. The winner of each section then went on to the finals being held in Cooma on 26 November to compete for the title of Australian National Busking Champion.
The Judges were looking for how buskers personified ANBC’s message about celebrating the rich diversity of Australian Music and Street Performance Culture. It was satisying to all involved that the winners of the Central Coast 2022 heat, the James Brothers, went on to win the Australian National Busking Championship that year. The James Brothers are now a key feature of the Central Coast heats, and of the national competition too.
The cooperation of two Rotary Clubs with the support of Central Coast Council recognised that by hosting a Regional Heat here on the Central Coast we could enrich our communities culturally and economically as part of a national network. The people of the Central Coast were very generous with their support of the buskers on the day, and the closing concert, in which all the finalists performed, was a treat for everyone – including the performers who enthusiastically encouraged each other, with cheers and genuine fellowship.
For photos and results of past Central Coast heats of the Australian National Busking Championships please click here.
