More than 200 community members turned out to support the first-ever Battle on the Bank held in Inverell on Friday night — a youth-led music event that gave young local performers a platform to shine.
Organised by the Inverell Youth Think Tank Team, the night featured seven performers aged 12 to 24, each taking the stage with acoustic ballads, iconic hits and cultural rhythms.
The evening opened with a stunning performance by Moree based Kyla Belle, whose soulful vocals captivated the audience from the start. Following her set, the main competition began, with performers covering artists like Pete Murray and Benson Boone. The crowd was invited to vote for their favourite act, and the results were incredibly close.
Peyton Childs, just 12 years old, won the night with a moving rendition of Beautiful Things, claiming first place by a single vote. Cooper Blair thrilled the crowd with his dynamic didgeridoo performance to take second place, while 18-year-old Natalie Tu earned third with a heartfelt vocal performance of Lucky by Megan Moroney.
As a special prize, Peyton received a professionally produced video of his performance, generously provided by Tim Dennis, capturing the moment to share and remember.
Bringing the night to a close was Terra Firma, whose popular blend of country, reggae, rock, and rap left the audience on a high note.
“This was more than just a music event — it was a celebration of youth leadership, creativity, and community,” said Rohan Cowley from the Youth Think Tank Team. “We’re incredibly proud of what our young people created and we have shown country kids really can do anything.”
Battle on the Bank was made possible thanks to the support of the NSW Government and a generous donation from the Ashford Central School P&C Association.
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