Christie Lamb, 17, who graduated from Campbelltown Performing Arts High School last year, was a particular hit and came home with trophies, a new guitar, money and a scholarship.

``Last year I couldn't do as much because I had whooping cough but this time I had the time to go out and go to people's album launches and meet new friends,'' she said.

``To have all the bonus winnings on top was just amazing.

``You never expect anything because it's all someone's opinion in music.''

Christie won the open age category of the Jazzer Talent Quest against 120 entrants from Australia and New Zealand. She also won best vocal talent, best country gospel vocal and the open age songwriter categories in the Capital Country Music Association national talent quest and received a $2000 scholarship to Camerata country music college for 2011.

Christie has also been booked for shows in Tamworth next year.

Amelia Richards, 16, from Bradbury won the junior category of the Tamworth Songwriters Association award for a song called You're Mine, which she wrote about teenage love.

``I literally cried when I won,'' Amelia, a student at Ingleburn High School, said.

``Mum nearly strangled me in excitement and it was really, really surprising because I was up against such great songs.

``It was like the Logies because they would play your song as the finalists were announced and then they would play it again as you would go up on stage.''

Kearns-raised Tori Darke was banking on her odds to score a trip to Nashville, but the talented rising singer was pipped at the post in the Toyota Star Maker Grand Final title.

Kiara Taylor, 12, from Camden went to the festival for the second time.

``I got third with a duo I did with Georgia White in gospel in the CCMA and I was also a finalist in the vocal, which was exciting because last year I didn't get into the CCMA.''