Meet our Mentors supporting the Wagga Wagga Takes 2 2026 Celebrities
Aaron Oldaker
Aaron Oldaker is a busy local musician, part time solider, and improving horse rider. Aaron spends most weekends taking his one-man band show to audiences around the region. The key feature of Aaron’s live performances is his use of loops and a live-sequenced drum machine to get a full band sound without backing tracks. When he’s not gigging, Aaron volunteers for local Veterans’ groups including RSL sub-branch and the new Pro Patria Veterans’ wellness centre. Still an active member of the Army Reserve, the Afghanistan Veteran still works several days a week at Kapooka where he holds the rank of Major.
Amber-Rose Walker
Amber has been in the world of music since she was 5 years old, singing, playing piano and entering eisteddfods in both rural and central NSW. She has done many stage shows and musicals from the age of 15 and since studying in Wagga, has been involved in many local productions such as Strictly Ballroom in 2019. Amber has sung locally as a guest with the Kapooka Army Band and continues to sing for charity events throughout the community. Amber is very excited to be apart of Wagga Wagga Takes 2 and feels privileged to prepare one of the celebrities for the event.
Dionne Crook
Dionne sings with local covers band Deja Groove. They have been entertaining local pubs, clubs and community events since 2005. Compared to a lot of other mentors, Dionne is relatively new to singing and performing. She bought herself singing lessons for her 30th birthday, thinking she needed a hobby, and has loved every minute since. Joining Murrumbidgee Magic Harmony Chorus early in her singing career stood her in good stead for listening to and learning how to harmonise. After stepping in as a Judge for Wagga Wagga Takes 2 2023, Dionne is happy to be back on stage performing this year.
Harry Mangelsdorf
By day, Harry is a Licensed Real Estate Agent with Belle Property, helping people buy and sell homes across Wagga Wagga. By night, you’ll often find him behind a microphone, entertaining audiences throughout the Riverina.
Harry has been performing since the age of 12 and has been involved in countless community productions, bands and live shows over the years. His musical journey has seen him perform with The Groove Factorie, the Australian Army Band Kapooka, his own band Get Around Brother, and acoustic duo Harry & Geoff.
In 2023, Harry joined Wagga Wagga Takes 2 as a mentor for the first time, guiding a local celebrity through the experience. He loved the energy, camaraderie and spirit of the show so much that he’s kept coming back for more!
Bill Robertson
Bill is an expert and enthusiastic entertainer who has become a regular in many Festival and Musical Theatre productions around the Wagga area including: ‘Tumbafest’, ‘La Festa’, ‘The Christmas Countdown Shows’, ‘The Boy from Oz’, ‘My Fair Lady’, ‘Oliver’, ‘Rock of Ages’, ‘Wicked’, ‘Strictly Ballroom’, ‘Mamma Mia – The Musical’ & ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert – The Musical’.
He is also fronted several local bands including 'Who's the BOSS', ‘Radio Velvet’, ‘One Shot Too Many’ & ‘Recreational Rockstars’.
He would like to thank Jill for her patience and enthusiasm and is thrilled to be supporting such a great cause.
Josh McKellar
Josh is a veteran of the local music scene, having been performing live in the region for 20 years. He has featured in a variety of shows, as well as countless live acoustic gigs and fronting local rock acts ‘One Shot Too Many’ & ‘Radio Velvet’. In 2018, Josh enlisted in the Australian Army and is now posted to the Australian Army Band Kapooka. Josh is one of the most experienced of the Wagga Wagga Takes 2 Family. He never tires of the fun of leading another ‘victim’ through such an entertaining - and rewarding - experience.
Matt Olsen
As a born and bred Wagga boy, Matt is always very proud to add his voice to any event in our city, especially when there is an important charity as a beneficiary. Singing for Matt has always been about making people feel good no matter the circumstances. Thanks also to Pottsy and Patto for the invitation to be part of this wonderful event.
Carli-Jean Kulmar
She left Wagga for a while, but she’s back! Carli-Jean Kulmar (CJ) is a civil litigator and mediator by trade and teaches in the Canberra Law School at the University of Canberra. CJ is a seasoned soprano who has performed lead roles (a very long time ago) in Sydney productions of The Wiz, Oliver and Trial By Jury. Locally, CJ has graced the stage in productions such as Legally Blonde and Nunsense, sung with local rock bands, and made numerous appearances with the Australian Army Band Kapooka. CJ is very happy to be involved with WWT2 again now she has returned to Wagga.
Smurf
Smurf grew up in Sydney's north, taking up guitar after winning $1,000 on a radio quiz on Triple M.
After overindulging in karaoke at pubs, a local band signed him up to sing for them at age 18.
Fast-forward to 2014, and a (slightly) older Smurf moved to Wagga to start a family, and the local scene rekindled his love of music after a 25-year absence.
He took Rocket 88 to new heights as their vocalist and joined Radio Velvet some time later, taking over from WWT2 vets Josh McKellar and Bill Robertson and adding guitar to the mix.
Still playing regularly with Radio Velvet, he also plays solo gigs with a "virtual band" and is again loving life in music.
The invitation to join the WWT2 cast was the recent icing on the cake.
Shelley McCormack
Shelley is a senior Hairstylist, contracting out of Envy Hair in Wagga. Shelley has been involved in musicals and bands throughout the years, in and around Wagga, with her most current gig being an acoustic duo with the talented guitarist, Kate Harpley from Temora. When Shelley isn’t performing and styling hair, along with her husband, Dermot, they are the proud and busy Parents of 3 boys, Parker, 11, Cooper, 9 and Finley, 6. This is Shelley’s 15th year participating in Thomas Bros Wagga Wagga Takes Two and says “It’s the love for the show, the people involved and the amazing money raised for local charities that keeps me coming back.