2025 Mentors — Wagga Wagga Takes 2

Meet our Mentors supporting the Wagga Wagga Takes 2 2025 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

Harry is a licenced sales agent with local real estate agent ONE AGENCY Wagga Wagga. Harry has been performing in the Riverina since the age of 12. He has been actively involved in community productions, bands and shows. Harry has appeared with The Groove Factorie, The Australian Army Band, Kapooka and also with his own band The Social Club and acoustic duo The Peach Tree Dreamers. 2023 welcomed Harry to Wagga Wagga Takes 2 as a mentor for the first time! Harry really enjoyed mentoring a local celebrity and the experience of the show he keeps returning!

Joe Madden

TGA approved drug dealer by day, singer in a rock band by night. Joe is married with three kids and a local of Wagga Wagga. His wife Mikayla, and three children: Georgia, Patrick, and Isaac, bring joy, love, and purpose to his life. He is a pharmacist and as one of the proprietors at Michael O'Reilly Pharmacy, he intends to remain local for the long-term.Joe loves music, sport, and any opportunity to laugh and have fun. This is Joe's second year being involved with Wagga Wagga Takes 2, returning with a work colleague!

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.

Mel Hale

Melanie has loved singing and performing for as long as she can remember. She is currently the Creative Arts Coordinator and Music Teacher at Kildare Catholic College and has been the vocal director for all KCC productions since 2008. Mel is thankful for the opportunity to give back to the Wagga community.

Nathan Lamont

Nathan is a vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter with a wealth of industry experience. He was previously in the top 36 of the Australasian Performing Right Association Professional Development Awards for song writing, is a 2 times grand finalist of Toyota Star Maker, has featured on X Factor, Young Talent Time, and seasons 3 and 5 of The Voice (Team Madden), graduated from the Talent Development Project (2011) and Academy of Country Music (2011) featured as contestant on Young Talent Time (2011), and has been mentored by Keith Urban.