By Bridget Cook
THE Rotary Club of Cranbourne’s Christmas carols event will have the ‘X Factor’ this year with hometown singing sensation Andrew Wishart secured to perform.
The Clyde family man, who was named runner-up in Channel 7’s national singing show The X Factor last month, will take to the stage at the event on Sunday night.
The appearance will be Mr Wishart’s first performance in the City of Casey since shooting to fame in the talent show this year.
Mr Wishart is the perfect example that it’s never to late to follow dreams.
At the age of 41, he auditioned for the show singing Adele’s Someone Like You after being pushed into it by his four children – Tully, Levii, Bahlin and Indiah.
“They hounded me to try out for it, I had no choice,” he said.
Prior to that, he had been playing in a band with two of his good friends playing the pub scene and at corporate gigs.
The X Factor’s four celebrity judges recognised his talent and he was put through to the top 12 and had Natalie Bassingthwaighte as a mentor in the over 25s group.
He made it all the way to the grand final show and was just pipped at the post by 16-year-old Reece Mastin by less than 1 per cent of the votes.
Mr Wishart said coming second out of the whole of the country was the highlight of his time on the show.
“Who would have thought that an overweight, grey-haired, 41-year-old man could have won,” he said
“But I must have struck a chord with a lot of Australians.
“They recognised something in me, something they enjoyed.”
Mr Wishart said the whole experience was surreal.
“It was definitely life-changing,” he said.
“I learnt so much from it. Although you don’t realise as you go through, you learn so much without even realising.”
He said the hardest part of the experience was being away from his wife of 15 years and number one fan Robbie and the children.
“It was very hard being away from the family but the further I got through and the longer I was there, the more we learnt how to cope,” he said.
“Everyone was missing someone, but I was the only one with children.”
Mr Wishart said life after the show had been very hectic.
“It took a while to come down from it initially,” he said.
“For 14 weeks I had been told what to do, where to be and what was scheduled. For a while I was looking for someone to tell me what to do.
“Then you get into the swing of things and life gets back to normal.
“I’ve been basically getting up and going all day, with different music projects.
“I’m not going straight back to my old job. I want to make this work and grab it with both hands.”
Mr Wishart said he had been out and about in the City of Casey since the show and been recognised by lots of local residents.
“I get stopped to get photos and people come up to me,” he said.
“I like it for the fact that people get a kick out of it. I don’t go seeking it though.”
And what does the future hold for him?
“Well, I’m hoping an album, a top 10 single and continued support from everyone who supported me on the show,” he said.
“I hope to hit as many towns as I can to give back to the people who put their hands in the pockets and voted for me. I want to give something back to them.”
The carols MC for the night, local entertainer Dave Whalen, was the driving force behind getting Mr Wishart to perform.
He arranged for O’Brien Real Estate, Berwick, and A Positive Move event management to sponsor the performance, which were more than happy to get on board.
Mr Whalen said he expected Mr Wishart’s appearance to double the crowd.
“He’s a great local talent and local guy,” he said.
“He is also very family orientated so we though he’d be absolutely perfect for the carols.
“Our carols are already huge but this will definitely give it a kick along.”
Mr Whalen encouraged everyone to come down to get a good spot.
The carols will be held on Sunday night at the Cranbourne Racecourse, Grant Street, Cranbourne, from 6pm.
As well as Mr Wishart’s performance, the event will also include a host a great local talent singing well known Christmas songs, a visit from Santa and a grand fireworks display to finish.
There will be a free sausage sizzle, cordial for the kids and takeaway cappuccinos can be purchased from the course canteen.
