They pulled it off.. and... what a fabulous festival it was. We were all well and truly ready for a good hit of live music....

2020 such an unprecidented year -amidst COVID regulations the festival committee did a fantastic job to keep this year's festival on the rails - the outcome of which was a full Queensland line up for the 2020 festival. One we'll all remember, I'm sure.

An annual event on the fourth weekend of October each year, the festival runs in conjunction with the monthly markets when the township of Yungaburra comes alive with the longest running festival in Queensland.

The festival was opened by President, Mick Hodgkins and welcome to country by Dulgabarra Yidinji elder - Uncle Laurie Padmore before the festivities for the weekend kicked in.

For me personally, it is always a joy to be involved with the festival in any capacity. This year with performances at the Garden Vibe and Quincan Cafe, one of the judges of the songwriting competition and MC host for the "Women in Song" festival song circle, I had a fabulous time. I love the intimacy of this year's festival, less people yet more connected somehow.

2020 Tablelands Songwriting Competition:
Judges - Jeanette Wormald, Fiona Sewell and Shirley Lynn were impressed with the talent that came through this year's McGinty's Tablelands Folk Festival Songwriter Competition. Amazing sponsorship prizes from Buzz Music, Cairns; Cairns Voice Studio, McGinty's Irish Bar, Atherton Trophies and Coconut Groove Studio made this a competition to be in the running for. An additional prize was awarded on the day, donated by Jeanette Wormald.

2020 award winners are:
Open Songwriter Award: Madeleine McCaw, Best Song: Jane Cornes & Neil Steward - "Mermaid's Lullaby" [pictured with Robyn from McGinty's Irish Bar], Emerging Songwriter Award: Danielle Davis, Highly Commended: Ella Hartwig, Encouragement Award: Emily Lane, Antonia Gwenyth

Women in Song:
For the fourth year running now the Festival Song Circle has celebrated the amazing talent of songwriters at the festival. This year's special event was "Women in Song" and it was held at Quincan Cafe.

What a wonderful session, five vibrant women on stage presenting and talking about their songs in round robin style.

The Jazzuleles - Shirley-Ann Rowley and Allison Skardon, Katie Who, Tess Devine and Aurielle Brunjes embracinig the stage to the delight of their audience.

Following is a video performance of "Cooroora Mountain and Me", a song co-written with Zoe Strickland. The song was performed as part of my set at The Garden Vibe on Sunday.