Sing it with some country soul for the South

Meila Scully, 12, of Riversdale, was a finalist in the junior gospel, junior solo and open western sections of the Southern Country Music Awards (SCMA), at the Taieri Bowling Club on Saturday night.

Organising committee chairwoman Julie Moyle said Meila was one of 179 entrants in the regional competition, held on Friday and Saturday.

The winners were: Paul Downs (veteran section), Keily Smith (senior section), Cailin Henderson (intermediate section), Georgia Martin (junior section), Jacinta Kerepeti (songwriter section) and Hazel Evans (tiny tots section).

All but Hazel will represent the South at the New Zealand Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year Awards in October, in Tauranga.