The Entrance, NSW, Australia; September 24, 2023: The Australian National Busking Championships, Australia's premier national Music & Street Performance competition, descended on The Entrance in colour and energy for the regional busking heats. Featuring everything from circus arts, to classical pianists, to a Vietnamese-Australian fusion ensemble, the day was a thrum of energy with engaged crowds lapping in the atmosphere. 
The event came to a climax with Country/Rock performer, Owen Smith, taking out the grand prize in the general category in close competition with second place VACEO.
"The energy of the final concert was fantastic, it was great to see kids dancing and families having a great time in the sun," Owen said. “It was a thrill to bring them a grooving brand new number cowritten with Lachlan Bryan of The Wildes fame.”
Other winning acts included Belle Norman who took out the junior category, Hayden Phillis who took out the secondary category and Jacob Carroll who won the People's Choice Awards.
The day was judged by last year’s National Champions, the James Brothers, CoastFM's Rhia Norcott and the founder of the Australian National Busking Championships Allan Spencer. The day was put on by the Rotary Clubs of Erina and The Entrance were joined by West Pennant Hills-Cherrybrook and Kariong-Somersby Rotary clubs to host the event, and was broadcast live by presenters from CoastFM.
The winning acts now move on to the Grand Finals in Cooma NSW on 25th of November 2023 to perform it out for the national title.
Australian National Busking Championships: https://busking.com.au/
Additional Press Coverage: https://coastcommunitynews.com.au/central-coast/news/2023/09/buskers-shine-at-the-entrance/?fbclid=IwAR2ZntDzncZdksN8R4LPKqm3o44PY6TeAs5pq_UQIp3LaCyKh1nIxqEHGNo
