She’s got two miniature sheep, rabbits and chooks in the backyard, a couple of horses up the road and longs for her family to move to a farm.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It’s fair to say Wodonga’s Eliza Spalding is a country gal at heart.
Now the talented songstress is hoping she can raise the funds to attend a week-long talent camp at Australia’s country music mecca.
The 14-year-old Wodonga Middle Years College student has launched a GoFundMe campaign after being selected for the Academy of Country Music course in Tamworth from July 1 to 9.
There she hopes to hone her song-writing skills, learn the finer points of performing and how to build a career in music.
In the meantime she’ll sing for her supper tonight, Friday June 9, with younger brother Zac and other artists at O’Maille’s Pub Wodonga.
Eliza, who takes guitar and singing lessons at school, said it was Kasey Chambers who put her firmly on the path to country music.
“I love performing,” she said.
“I think it’s easier to say all the things that are in your head and your heart through singing.”
Having said that, Eliza jokes that it’s often difficult to find songs to sing with her brother that aren’t love songs.
The pair regularly performs across the region and enjoyed their largest gig to date in front of 10,000 people at Albury’s Carols By Candlelight in December 2016.
Carols creative manager Lizzie Pogson said she was delighted to uncover the talents of the Spalding siblings when they auditioned.
“At the tender age of 14, Eliza is an amazing talent,” Mrs Pogson said.
“She has the world at her feet and we will do all in our power to help her.”
Mrs Pogson is helping to organise a concert at Thurgoona Country Club Resort on Sunday, June 25, from 2.30pm to 5.30pm to support Eliza’s trip to Tamworth.
Callin’ on Country will feature former Tamworth Star-Maker finalists Sharyn Bilston, Korey Livy, and Louise Egan as well as performances from Eliza and Zac (tickets are $20).
A trivia night with auctions and raffles will also be held on Friday, June 23, at Mirambeena Community Centre.
Eliza’s mum Sandy is set to join her daughter in Tamworth to attend a separate parents’ business management course.
- ENTERTAINMENT: p18-19