SMEATON teenager D'Arcy Spiller has been named "a brilliant young talent" after winning the Australian Children's Music Foundation's National Songwriting Competition.
Spiller, 14, entered Sweet Melissa through her school, Ballarat Grammar.
A total of $40,000 in prizes will be distributed to the winning students and their schools to encourage music participation, creativity and imagination.
Competition ambassador, Dicko, from Australian Idol said the songwriting was excellent.
"We had a real bunfight trying to pick the top three in the senior category," he said.
"I would encourage all students to enter as there are so many well-connected judges who want to get in touch with the entrants and help advance their talents."
ACMF founder Don Spencer said the songwriting competition, now in its sixth year, was created to give young people the opportunity to take part in music.
"It is an unfortunate fact that more than 75 per cent of public schools in Australia do not have a specialist music teacher," he said.
"There is not enough emphasis placed on the emotional wellbeing of a child.
"Through music, children can find a way to express their emotions and channel their energy and abilities into something positive and creative."
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