HORSHAM’S Kailee O’Beirne will put her singing skills to the test in Ballarat at the weekend.
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Miss O’Beirne, 19, will sing in North Britain Hotel’s XX Factor competition grand final after winning her heat last month.
MIss O’Beirne said an advertisement on Facebook sparked her interest in the competition.
“I thought I’d give it a shot for experience – I didn’t expect to go further than the heat,’’ she said.
“There were three random judges in the audience.
“They didn’t have a singing background, they just had to vote on which performance was the most entertaining.”
The competition had five rounds, with the final heat on November 22.
Miss O’Beirne competed against two others in her heat to win the second round.
The singer and guitarist performed three songs: George Ezra’s Budapest, Daughter’s Peter, and Vance Joy’s Riptide.
Miss O’Beirne said she planned to mix up the set list for the grand final performance.
“I’ve got one song the same – Peter – and then I’m changing the two others,” she said.
“I’ll also perform Skinny Love by Birdy and Hold Back the River by James Bay.”
Miss O’Beirne is in her first year at Australian Catholic University’s Ballarat campus.
She is studying a nursing and paramedicine degree.
Miss O’Beirne said she started singing as a hobby.
“I haven’t had lessons, it’s just something I enjoy,” she said.
She credited Wimmera woman Andrea Cross for helping her pursue her passion.
“Andrea Cross has got me out there and given me gigs to get experience,” she said.
The XX Factor grand final is at the hotel on Sunday.
The North Britain Hotel is hosting the competition to give regional musicians a chance to perform live.
The ultimate winner will receive $500.
Miss O’Beirne also performed in Horsham at the Richard Morris Memorial Concert on Saturday.