Liesl Pederson was starstruck when she went on stage to sing I am Australian at the Kyogle Australia Day ceremony at the KMI Hall.

Liesl is well known at Kyogle events often singing the national anthem at the Kyogle Show and performing on Anzac Day.

Now a school teacher in Brisbane, Liesl continues her singing and acting. In December last year, she starred in Hairspray with the Queensland Musical theatre.

Despite her vast experience performing today, there was a glitch and the backing music for I Am Australian wouldn’t play. Liesl waited, the audience waited. The problem couldn’t be fixed.

Keith Potger was sitting on the stage. He had already given an address as an Australia Day Ambassador. He’d even sung I’ll Never Find Another You and Morningtown Ride.

Everyone was waiting. Keith stood up and offered to play guitar while Liesl sang. Liesel said she was stunned.

Her mother used to listen to The Seekers and when Liesel was younger and busking in Kyogle, she’d sing hits by The Seekers.

And here she was on stage with one of the founding members of The Seekers singing to her hometown.

Watch the performance below.

Liesl Pederson sings with Keith Potger at the KMI Hall on Australia Day.

Did you know?

The song I Am Australian was originally written and performed by Bruce Woodley (from The Seekers) and Dobe Newton (from The Bushwackers) in 1987.

This article appeared on indyNR.com on 26 January 2026.
Related story: Liesl has a dream to sing on The Voice. Her first single brings her closer to that dream.