Back at school Bonnie, front centre, and friends, left, Catie O’Neill and sisters Sierra, top, and Tayla Kavanagh, right, recall some of the excitement of her amazing journey. The girls have been best friends since primary school.By Kath Gannaway
THERE’S no doubt Bonnie Anderson has talent. Viewers across Australia recently voted the singing dynamo winner of Channel 7’s national talent show Australia’s Got Talent.
But, could she possibly be as totally sweet, engaging, giggly and thoughtful as the TV Bonnie?
Well, Yes! She’s every bit of it! The Bonnie who viewers fell in love with as the 12-year-old chatted about her aspirations and fears, cried, giggled and spoke so graciously of her “competitors”, is every bit the real Bonnie.
Last week, life was returning to normal for the Mt Lilydale Mercy College student who finds herself in a “sort of funny” situation of returning to school $250,000 richer.
“I haven’t really thought about the money too much,” Bonnie said. “I was just so happy to win, not just to get the money, just to be there and have such an amazing experience.”
Most of it will be put in a trust fund and will undoubtedly be a great backstop as Bonnie pursues her dream of becoming an actress and singer.
But before that happens, Bonnie will be making a couple of donations to causes she said are close to her heart.
“I chose the Asthma Foundation because of Jake (Hindhaugh – a Yarra Glen Primary School friend who died tragically of an asthma attack last month), and to the Child’s Arthritis Foundation because my cousin Maddison Lee has arthritis.”
Unable to stifle a yawn, Bonnie admits she is still a little tired after such a demanding but exciting couple of months. “I was really only scared on the first night, but it was still a bit nerve-wracking each time. I still can’t sleep thinking about it.”
Has she forgiven competition judge Red Symons for the cutting critique, which had her in tears on her first appearance?
“Yes … I forgave him a long time ago,” she giggles.
“Red is actually a really nice guy back stage … It’s just his job, I think.”
Bonnie’s plans for the future are pretty much the same as any almost-teenager – school, friends, family and just doing the thing she loves most in the world – singing.
