Young songwriters are being encouraged to write from the heart as part of the Port Douglas Community Garden's Youth Singer Songwriter Competition.

The competition, sponsored by Origin Espresso, has a true grassroots theme with songwriters and musicians encouraged to incorporate nature or community (or both for those super-creative) into their work to help promote the Community Garden project.

Organiser of the event, Lisa O'Neill, said the competition will be a great chance for young people to step into the spotlight.

"We believe there is an awesome amount of talent in this area. This is a great opportunity for all the creative youth around the community to enter into this competition and showcase their talent.

"Generally they're only able to do that at school, but this is going to be to the whole community which opens up their audience."

The competition is open to anyone under the age of 25 and from the Douglas community. Solo acts or bands are both welcome to enter with the winner taking away $125 cash, a two-hour recording session, and airplay on Radio Port Douglas.

The winning entry will also be asked to perform at the Port Douglas Community Garden Festival being held on 24 March.

"The winning song will become the theme song for the garden so anything we do from this point on, your song will be attached to it," Lisa said.

"We're open to anything and everything. Get creative!"

Entries are just $5 and close on 16 March so for more information contact Lisa at backtorootslisa@hotmail.com. 

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