IF enthusiasm alone was enough to score a place in the Australian Idol line-up, Coffs Coast teenager Gillian Higgins would be taking centre stage.
But even after camping overnight on the streets of Brisbane last weekend to secure a spot in the line-up for auditions, Gillian was unsuccessful in getting past the preliminary judges.

She returned home on Tuesday, more determined to follow the auditions to Sydney for another chance at the big time. She leaves for Sydney today, prepared to camp out another night in the city this weekend.

Armed with an aptitude for songwriting and performing, Gillian is keen to pursue a career in the music industry, regardless of her success with Idol.

And her mum Virginia thinks she’s got the goods.

“At 11 she sang backup for the Radiators when they performed here,” Virginia said. “She has sung backup for James Blundell as well and she’s got two killer originals.”

Earlier this year Gillian won the Moree Superstar competition.

“I think she’ll have more of a chance with Idol in Sydney now that she knows the procedure,” Virginia said.

Potential contestants performed for two sets of preliminary judges in Brisbane before getting the chance to impress Idol judges Marcia Hines, Dicko and Kyle Sandilands.

“Gillian was asked to do three songs for one lot of preliminary judges and they certainly said she had talent,” Virginia said.

“But she overheard someone else say they’d already got their 1000.”

If Gillian makes it through the Sydney auditions she has been assured the backing of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who she met when he visited Coffs Harbour in the lead-up to last year’s Federal election.

“She accosted him as he walked into Park Beach Plaza with her pet mouse and asked him if he wanted to pat it,” Virginia said.

“Then she said ‘if we vote for you and you get in, will you vote for me if I get on Australian Idol?’.”

Apparently, the answer was yes.