Haystack Mountain Hermits’ upright-bass player and songwriter Kerrie Gambley is ending the year on a high, securing a judging position at the Australian National Busking Championships while two of her original songs have made the Top 30 in the Australian Songwriters Association competition.
Kerrie, who performs with her family band on festival stages across the country, said she was thrilled to be invited back to judge alongside fellow former champions John Littrich of The Water Runners and former Tamworth Busking organiser Kyle J. Kash.
“I was actually asked to be a judge a few years ago, but I just couldn’t fit it in at the time,” she said.
“I’m really excited to be invited again.”
As a former ANBC and Tamworth Busking Champion herself, Kerrie said the honour carries deep personal meaning.
“Allan Spencer, who founded the championships, loves involving judges who have been buskers and really understand the event,” she said.
“It means a great deal to give back to this wonderful volunteer-run organisation that provides performance opportunities, recognition and visibility to artists.”
Her perspective on judging is shaped by more than a decade of busking experience with her family, who began performing on the road in 2011 and went on to win major titles including Best Band, People’s Choice and the National Open Championship.
“Busking is so much more than performing on the street,” she said.
“I’ll be looking for mastery of the art form, of course, but also those moments where the artist and audience truly connect.”
On top of the judging role, Kerrie is also celebrating two of her works – 400 Acres Below the Divide and The River is Risin’ – making the ASA Top 30.
One draws on her family’s century-old connection to Wahlabul Country, while the other reflects the real experiences of relatives caught in the 2022 Lismore floods.
“I was absolutely thrilled to get through to the Top 30,” she said.
“Storytelling is what touches my soul.”
Closer to home, Kerrie said Tamborine Mountain’s creative community continues to inspire her.
“It definitely punches above its weight,” she said.
“I love celebrating our collective success.”
The Haystack Mountain Hermits are also finalists in two Gold Coast Music Award categories – Live Act of the Year and People’s Choice – rounding out what Kerrie calls an “exciting end to the year.”
