FOGG DAM CROCS TO EUROVISION
Her Darwin teacher spills the goss as Jess Mauboy steels herself for the biggest night of her life
JESSICA Mauboy may have given fans a taste of her Eurovision performance in an Instagram video from rehearsals earlier this week, but back in her home town of Darwin the sight of Mauboy on the big stage is nothing new for her family and friends.
Bill Rolfe was Mauboy’s teacher at Sanderson High School and mentored the singer as part of her grade 10 indigenous education scholarship.
“I also taught her to drive,” he said.
As the Territorian prepares to grace the biggest stage of her life, it is safe to say the NT has prepared the singer for all of life’s obstacles.
“There was this one time, she would have been 16 or 17 years old, I took her out for a driving lesson to Fogg Dam,” Mr Rolfe said.
“We were out there driving along the road when all of a sudden this massive crocodile went right up and across in front of us.”
“If she sees this I’m sure she’ll remember it. She’s an NT girl,” he joked.
Mr Rolfe taught Mauboy right up until year 11, when she went into Australian Idol. He travelled to New South Wales twice to go see the star perform, to help support the then 16-year-old contestant in her journey to the finals at the Sydney Opera House.
Mr Rolfe said Mauboy had been an excellent role model for students at the Sanderson Middle School, formerly the Sanderson High School, where she attended from 2002 until 2006.
“A lovely girl and a very good role model for other students. They all love her.
“She would have to be one of the best role models for any indigenous student or for any student or upcoming star. She has looked after herself and done the right thing.”
Mr Rolfe said he still sees Ms Mauboy when she comes back to the Territory to visit family, and recently snuck her into the school for a duet.
“We did a duo together of I Got You Babe,” he said.
“It was really funny because we hadn’t told the kids.”
Mr Rolfe said there was no doubt that Ms Mauboy had the right stuff to win Eurovision. “She’s got the talent, I know that. I would like her to win like everyone else,” he said. “The good thing about Jess is that she is very humble and if she does lose it won’t matter to her, she will be grateful that she had the chance.
“She won’t walk away with any bad feelings. Just to be able to do wha t she ’s doing is an amazing concept.”
Eurovision kicks off on Wednesday, with Mauboy expected to first hit the stage on Friday morning.