MEDIA RELEASE: Entries open for Cooma’s double-up 2025 Australian National Busking Championships
RELEASE DATE: Sept 29 2025
ENTRIES have opened for the final heat and grand final of the Australian National Busking Championships, with an unprecedented prize pool of $14,000 cash up for grabs.
The not-for-profit ANBC is seeking musicians and performers of all abilities, ages and locations to contest the Cooma regional final on November 15 and has invited entry from winners of each category in all five 2025 regional finals for the national championship to be held for the first time the following day.
Usually, the Cooma heat is held early in the year and the national grand final in November, but ANBC founder and president Allan Spencer said a decision had been made to create one large event to attract more sponsorship and bigger crowds, to stay in the region for longer.
“Basically, we are offering three nights of live free entertainment and two days of busking competition, workshops, a street parades and markets,” he said.
“We have had a huge response from sponsors offering everything from cash prizes to accommodation for our three esteemed judges and goods.
“Now we just need busker entries and crowds to come to Cooma to support them and enjoy all that Cooma has to offer on that weekend.”
Mr Spencer said positions in the regional event were limited and encouraged buskers to secure their spot as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Categories include Primary, Secondary, Open, Masters, People’s Choice, Best Duo and Best Band. Entrants will play four, 30-minute sets at designated busking stations outside Cooma businesses on the day with announcement of winners and presentations made at the Alpine Hotel, along with winning busker performances and other live entertainment, at night.
Tamworth-based music publicist and journalist Bec Gracie, who works with many Tamworth country music stars, will sponsor a major award for the best Masters Muso (a musician over 50).
“There are so many amazing artists over 50 who are sharing their stories through music,” she said. “I want to celebrate music being made by people of all ages and I think that passion and persistence deserve to be recognised.”
Judges will include Tamworth Country Music Festival busking coordinator Kyle Kash, with Mr Spencer set to announce two more celebrity judges in the next few weeks.
“We are really excited about our judging panel this year, mostly because of their direct involvement with busking and busking competitions and also the ANBC,” he said. “More will be revealed soon.”
During its 14-year history, the ANBC has produced many musicians who have gone on to great things, including Felicity Kirchner who won the Toyota Star Maker competition at the Tamworth Country Music Festival this year. Last year’s overall winner, Arthur Hull, has been performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Berridale musician/singer/songwriter Gabi Forman, now ANBC Ambassador, guest performed at the Gympie Music Festival as a result of her performance in 2024 and has performed non-stop at various folk and other festivals.
She will perform solo and with her band during the weekend.
Further information can be found at www.busking.com.au
MEDIA ENQUIRIES/INTERVIEW REQUESTS
Karen Forman
ANBC Media Coordinator
0425675555
Allan Spencer
ANBC President
0407384590
ENTRIES OPEN: ANBC President Allan Spencer and Ambassador Gabi Forman are calling for entries for the $16,000 2025 combined Cooma regional ANBC head and national grand final in November.