The young singer was among nine finalists in the competition, highlighting the region’s best young musical talent and providing scholarships to help people achieve their goals.

All had the large crowd enthralled as they performed a range of songs.

Caitlin was delighted with the win, and thanked the competition’s organisers and judges.

“I honestly can’t believe how the day turned out,” she said.

“All of the other musicians and singers that I had the honour of sharing the stage with were incredible - my God, everyone was just amazing!”

She thanked all her friends who supported her by watching her perform.

“I can't tell you how good it felt to go on stage and see you guys all their cheering me on,” Caitlin said.

The judges were impressed by Caitlin’s acapella compilation, which focused heavily on rhythm and blues.

However all he young performers did well, with Zeke Cameron taking second place for singing and playing the trumpet, and Brea Holland placing third after showing amazing versatility taking on a role of different characters from musicals and movies.

The day was a huge success, attracting a crowd estimated at between 5000 and 6000.

The event was organised by the Ulladulla Milton Lions Club, and president Allan McDonald said the conditions were ideal, with the day sandwiched between Sunday’s scorcher and Tuesday’s rain.

“It was a good day all round,” he said.

Milton Ulladulla’s Australia Day ambassador Bruce Elder heaped praise on the community and the venue, pointing to the neighbouring beach and declaring it “the most beautiful stretch of coast in all of NSW, and in the top two or three in the country”.

He said Australia Day was “a celebration of the local community, and Milton Ulladulla is a very special and unique local community”.

The former Sydney Morning Herald journalist who had written more than 60 books said the day should acknowledge those he called “the glue of the community”, including the unsung heroes who had manned stallsm raised funds, and baked lamingtons for different causes for decades.

“They are the ones who should be celebrated,” he said.

“You should keep it local, and make sure you keep it local.”

He questioned the whole premise of Australia Day, marking the anniversary of the First Fleet landing in Sydney Cove.

“We’re celebrating the establishment of a jail,” he pointed out, coming it was done under the orders of “mad King George, who was totally crackers”.