General News
17 April, 2025
Dadswells Bridge teenager to perform at Stawell Gift
Fourteen-year-old teenager, Isabella Iuele from Dadswells Bridge, will make history this Easter as the youngest person to perform the National Anthem at the opening of Australia's oldest and richest short-distance foot race, the Stawell Gift.
Isabella is not new to performing but said she is especially honoured to be chosen to sing the National Anthem at this event.
"It is a privilege, and I am very thankful for the opportunity," she said.
While keeping the special outfit she'll be wearing a closely guarded secret, she admitted to looking forward to this next step in her singing career.
Her father John said it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and he wanted Isabella to grab it and enjoy the experience.
"When she was about four, she walked up to me and said she wanted to sing me a song.
"She sang, Let It Go, from Frozen, and I thought then she had a good voice for her age even then," he said.
From then on her interest in singing was a natural progression until one day when she was about 10 she told her mother she wanted to take lessons and pursue singing seriously.
She began training with Horsham singing teacher Lisa Thomas until her retirement and now studies with Dianne Stewart in Stawell; she finds the challenge of exams increases her ability.
John said Isabella has an old soul about her singing and is mature beyond her 14 years.
This maturity leads Isabella to say she is not hurrying to enter the international entertainment world.
"Our voices don't fully mature until we're 25 so I have plenty of time to grow gradually into that phase," she said.
Isabella said her music taste has changed in the past 10 years from Opera to Pop Jazz with some Jazz in between.
She is inspired by the powerful voices of Adele, Celine Dion, and Ariana Grande and sees herself fitting that style.
Isabella has performed in the local Rock Estedford singing Streets of London, in the Ultimate Mic Battle in Sydney as the youngest entrant, and came fourth against performers from around Australia.
She has an acting part in the Horsham College musical Thirteen and is enjoying the acting experience.
President of the Dadswells Bridge Community Association Ellie McDonald said Isabella's story is uplifting for the small community that has been through some tough times with the February 2024 bushfire and the following one in December.
"This story is about enjoyment and pride.
"We are just celebrating Isabella's success and sharing in her achievements," she said.
"Isabella has performed at many community events at Dadswells Bridge and at the ANZAC Day services and has sung at funerals and private functions.
Isabella will also perform on Sunday at the Stawell Cup, which coincides with the Stawell Gift weekend.
Isabella said her mother and grandmother were singers, and her great-grandfather played the violin so she carries on the family love of music.
