Izzy James

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads)—I am pleased to acknowledge Morpeth's own Izzy James on her Country Music Association of Australia [CMAA] Academy of Country Music scholarship. Izzy, is just twelve-years-old but has been playing guitar since she was six years old. Izzy was raised on a steady diet of Shania Twain and Dolly Parton by her parents. Izzy loves everything to do with country music including performing, playing guitar, singing and songwriting. The scholarship is awarded by the CMAA, the representative body of country music performers in Australia and was set up to contribute to the maintenance and growth of the Australian country music industry at a grass-roots level. The scholarship allowed Izzy to spent seven days in Tamworth at the Country Music Association of Australia Academy of Country Music where she was guided in song writing and performance skills by professionals. Izzy, in year seven at Hunter School of Performing Arts, is currently recording the song she co-wrote at the Academy with musician Sarah Buckley called Biting Bullets. Congratulations Izzy on following your dreams to be a country music recording artist.