Toyota

Toyota Star Maker 2010 - brought to you by the All New Prado

Oh what a winner! Luke Austen declared 2010 Toyota Star Maker

Following in the footsteps of Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan and Beccy Cole, Queenslander Luke Austen has been crowned winner of Australia's oldest and most successful country music talent search, 2010 Toyota Star Maker.

Luke was the judges' number one choice from a pool of 19 finalists and six grand finalists who each performed at the event in Tamworth on Sunday, 17 January.

Luke said that he is excited by the prospects that lie ahead.

"It's an amazing feeling to be awarded a prize that has started the careers of some of the biggest names in country music. It's a huge opportunity and I intend to make the most of it," he said.

Based in Margate, Queensland, singer-songwriter and guitarist Austen has a wealth of experience in the country music industry. Since winning the perpetual musicianship award at Charters Towers Country Music Talent Quest in 1997, Luke has since added to his trophy cabinet and broadened his horizons, touring with some of Australia's best known country stars.

In 2000 and 2004 he completed four tours of Australia with legendary bush balladeer Brian Young and in 2004, he became a fulltime member of Troy Cassar-Daley's touring band. In 2009 Luke released a five-track EP, No Stranger to the Rain.

Luke faced stiff competition in the 2010 Toyota Star Maker Grand Final from fellow Queenslander Cory Hargreaves, along with Chelsea Basham (WA), Mandi Jarry (NSW), Rick Caballo (NSW) and Tori Darke (NSW).

All 19 finalists were joined at the event by 2009 Toyota Star Maker winner Liam Brew who, testament to his success garnered through his Toyota Star Maker win, has been nominated for a Golden Guitar for Best New Talent at the 2010 CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia.

  Luke Austen, Grafton NSW

Toyota's commitment to rural Australia

Toyota has a long and proud history of supporting rural Australia – through country music festivals, environmental initiatives and grassroots sporting programs.

Tamworth Country Music Festival – Toyota has supported Australia's longest standing music talent search, Toyota Star Maker for the past 15 years and is committed to initiating fundraising activities for a relevant rural cause each year through its involvement at the annual Festival. In 2010 Toyota’s rural charity partner will be Aussie Helpers to assist rural communities affected by flooding, droughts and bush fires across Australia.

To raise awareness of Aussie Helpers Toyota will once again treat country music fans to the Toyota Free Concert for Rural Australia. Headlined by Lee Kernaghan and featuring some of the biggest names in country music, the concert will be staged in Bicentennial Park at Tamworth on Friday, January 22 from 5pm. It will not only provide top entertainment, but also allow patrons to dig deep and make a donation.

Toyota will also conduct daily hat give-aways at Centrepoint Shopping Centre on Peel Street in exchange for a gold coin donation to Aussie Helpers and Toyota ambassadors the McClymonts will be encouraging people to donate generously to the cause, through a special performance held in Aussie Helpers honour on Monday, 18 January at Festival HQ stage, outside the Council building on Peel Street in Tamworth.