Celebrating Mapoon’s homegrown talent

ROYSTON Sagigi-Baira. What a champion. For those who weren’t watching at home on Sunday night, the man from Mapoon has done his community proud, becoming the eighth winner of singing talent competition Australian Idol.

He’s in good company.

The 24-year-old now sits proudly alongside Idol alumni like Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll, Casey Donovan, Jessica Mauboy, Matt Corby, and others.

Royston fought back tears as it was announced he had won the coveted title and ultimate prize, a recording contract with Sony Music and $100,000.

From his very first audition, his community have been behind him.

On Monday, Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council mayor Aileen Addo said Royston was an inspiration to the young people of Mapoon, as well as young people around Australia – especially Indigenous kids.

On screen on Sunday night, Royston acknowledged his family supporting him in the audience and said the win would change his life.

“I just want to say thank you so much to everyone who voted for me. Thank all this mob up here, all my family and friends for coming, everyone who’s been voting, thank you so much.”

Royston’s next challenge will be, as other artists like Baker Boy, King

Stingray, and the late Gurrumul have done before him, to bring his community’s language into mainstream pop songs.

He also hopes to be able to return home and conduct music workshops with the children of Mapoon.

But more than anything, Royston’s journey from the audition hall to centre stage proves that when you put your mind to something, anything is possible.

Well done Royston.