Local Member pays tribute to Karise

Member for Gosford Mr Chris Holstein has made a speech to State Parliament acknowledging Woy Woy resident Ms Karise Eden who won reality television show The Voice Australia last month.

Mr Holstein told Parliament on Thursday, June 21, that Ms Eden not only kept Central Coast residents glued to their television screens, but residents throughout Australia.

"She has had a tougher life than most," said Mr Holstein.

"Karise was a State ward and grew up living in foster homes.

"She says she had more foster homes than birthdays.

"She went on to find her own place, as she puts it, where she could lose herself in her music.

"Having been fostered by a family who owned a music store she began to play guitar at 13 years of age, and over the next few years became a singer-songwriter, mainly in the genre of blues, soul and rock, being influenced by such greats as Janis Joplin, Guns and Roses, Deep Purple, Etta James and Bon Jovi, to name but a few," said Mr Holstein.

Prior to winning the voice, Karise performed locally at places like Lizottes, Peats Ridge Festival, Erina Hive, Five Lands Walk, the Woy Woy Folk Club, Patonga Pub and the Ettalong Beef and Barramundi.

"Karise has never had a single singing lesson in her life, yet she had all four judges wanting her on their team after hearing her sing for the first time at the blind auditions," said Mr Holstein.

"She chose the internationally renowned singer Seal to help guide her through the competition.

"As he helped her build her confidence, her performances got better and better.

Her rendition of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah was inspiring and it went straight to the top of the charts.

"Karise recognised the help her coach Seal gave her when she said, 'It means a lot to have someone who trusts you and brings out the best in you and is not negative'.

"The positive flow-on effects of her participation in and winning The Voice go way beyond music and song.

"Karise's heartfelt song about her past, I Was Your Girl, prompted dozens of fans who would tell their own dark stories of foster experiences online.

"This can only be of great benefit to them as individuals.

"With so much negativity today, a story such as Karise's, which is so positive in its outcome, can only inspire other youth to find and retain hope in their lives.

"Gratitude also must be expressed to Karise's foster parents, Aunty Marilyn and Uncle Frank, who were there for her when she needed them most in her life.

"A loving and caring environment by foster parents is one of the great gifts fostering couples give to children who otherwise might not get a break in life.

"One cannot but admire those who drag themselves up from the depths of despair and are assisted by caring foster parents.

"When they achieve something great such as winning The Voice we simply have to applaud them.

"But further to that applause I only wish Karise Eden all the best in her future career and hope that she enjoys good fortune and success, but most of all that she reaches a place where she is happy and content, and that she remains strong enough to deal with what will be many pressures and demands in a career in the music business.

"She will have a hectic time that will involve a gruelling promotional schedule.

"However, as all the other well-wishers on the Central Coast know, if she stays true to herself and keeps her feet on the ground all will be well," said Mr Holstein.

Website, 21 Jun 2012

Parliament of NSW