AUSTRALIA – NATIONAL – October 4, 2013 – Imagine this….one minute, you’re singing karaoke at your local. The next, you’re standing on the world stage in Finland competing against the world’s best karaoke singers for the title of Karaoke World Champion!

Nine lucky Australians are preparing to do just that. They’re preparing for the Australian National Finals of the Karaoke World Championships this weekend.

Now in its 10th year, originating in Finland and hosted in as many as 30 different countries worldwide, the Karaoke World Championships is the world’s most exciting amateur singing event.

After months of national heats and state finals, the search to find Australia’s top karaoke singer has narrowed to just nine national finalists. The winner will represent Australia at the world finals to be held in Lappeenranta, Finland from November 21 – 24.

Primary school teacher, Anella Di Biase, 24, from South Australia will be joined by Lauren Moran, 21 (ACT), Alisha Cail, 29 (VIC), Candice Kraaymaat, 25 (Nth QLD), Scott Waddington, 41 (Reg. NSW), Anita Palmer, 28 (NSW), Chris Stavrinos, 27 (NT) and Emily Ruffin, 30 (WA) to compete for the opportunity of a lifetime.

Queensland’s representative will be announced immediately before the Australian National Grand Final after nearly 40 contestants from around the state take to the stage to show they have what it takes.

Last year’s Australian Champion, Candice Skjonnemand, was narrowly beaten by Raquel Pando from Spain for the female world title. Luis Boutin, from Panama, was crowned the male champion.

Australia has proudly claimed the international title a record three times, sharing the record with Lebanon and proving that Australians are a forced to be reckoned with on the world karaoke stage.

For more information regarding the Karaoke World Championships, please visit www.kwcaustralia.com.au

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QLD State Final – Sat. Oct 5, 2013 – Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club, South Tweed Heads – Showtime: 2.00pm Australian National Final – Sat. Oct 5, 2013 – Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club, South Tweed Heads – Showtime: 8.00pm World Finals – November 21 – 24, 2013 – Holiday Club Saimaa, Lappeenranta, Finland

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Australian Finalists –

Nth QLD – Candice Kraaymaat, 25, Charters Towers – Beauty Therapist, Youth Worker, Make Up Artist SA – Anella Di Biase, 24, Mt Gambier – Primary School Teacher ACT – Lauren Moran, 21, Canberra – Stay At Home Mum VIC – Alisha Cail, 29, Fawkner – Stay At Home Mum WA – Emily Ruffin, 30, Geraldton – Receptionist NSW – Anita Palmer, 28, Kemps Creek – Stay At Home Mum Reg. NSW – Scott Waddington, 40, Inverell – Arbatrist NT – Chris Stavrinos, 27, Nightcliff – Administrator with Larrakia National Aboriginal Corporation QLD – TBA – Sat. Oct 5, 2013 – Showtime: 2.00pm
www.kwcaustralia.com.au