‘Unreal’ win for musician
Gore musician Ali Green had no idea that she was going to be crowned the 2024 Gore Country Music Queen.
“When they said my name, I was like, ‘Oh, my God, this isn't happening’. It was just overwhelming. All the support over the past couple of weeks has been incredible. I couldn't have done it without the Gore community and the support of my family and friends. It's been unreal,” she said.
Green was announced the winner, and Michaela Jameson the runner-up, at the Gore Country Music Queen Gala on Sunday night at the Bayleys Tussock Country Festival.
Following the win, Green was looking forward to taking part in next year’s Tussock Festival’s events.
“I'd love to organise some events at the MLT establishments around Gore, some live music every weekend and the lead up to the Tussock Country [festival] next year,” she said. “I'd love to join in the social media and events promotion of Gore, because that's my jam, I love events and making people happy.”
Green cited her family, who had long been into country music, Kaylee Bell, Jenny Haraway, Joni Mitchell, The Mitchell Twins and others as her influences in music.
Competition convener and 2019 winner Melissa Wishart said there were five contestants this year.
As part of the competition, the contestants were all required to give a speech, as well as know the history of the town. This included visiting the Gore Vistor Centre and the Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre at Mandeville.
They also attended events as VIP guests and judges at the Country Music Honours and competitions, Wishart said.
She said the judges thought that all the contestants were wonderful, and it was a very close competition.
“They all wanted to give each girl a prize of some sort because they loved them all so much. They wanted to acknowledge the hard work that all five of them put in.”