Sure enough, when she came of age, Akers entered the competition and she won it too.

James Blundell however was a different story, he entered the competition at the eleventh hour, after a bloke at a pub in Sydney handed him an entry form –  he took away the title that year too.

But still to this day, Blundell says it’s one of the best decisions he’s ever made.

Thirty years on for Blundell and ten years on for Akers since their Star Maker wins, they’ll be joined by fellow star maker contestants on stage at Toyota Park on Friday night.

Toyota Stars Under the Stars will be held at 7pm and will feature performances from the two country stars.

Akers, who will perform one last show at the Family Hotel on Saturday morning, said she’s thankful for the opportunities the competition has given her.

“It’s really exciting, I think it’s crazy for me being 10-years,” she said.

“Star Maker was such a great thing for me and like the other artists who were in Star Maker, it kick started everything for me.

“It’s going to be good to get up there and celebrate with everyone.”

The Golden Guitar winner is also a finalist for the Female Artist of the Year category.

She said winning Star Maker had helped her reach her dreams.

“I used to go and watch Star Maker most years with my family, this is my 26th festival this year,” she said.

“I was just dying to turn 18 so I could enter Star Maker and thought, I’m going to win this, I don’t care what anyone says.

“I remember when I had the interview for Star Maker, and I was asked what I was going to do if I didn’t win.

“I said I’m going to win, I’ve been preparing for this for the last ten years.”

Blundell paid tribute to Akers for taking advantage of what the competition had given her – describing her as one of the hardest workers in the industry.

When Akers won Star Maker she hopped straight on Blundell’s tour bus and travelled the nation.

“I think some of the artists over the years have dismissed how important that break was,” he said.

“Even more so now – when I won it, there was still a lot of people involved but nothing like there is now.

“You get people like Kirsty who make the most of it – some people don’t realise how important it actually is.

“I’ve known her since she started, and she just puts her head down and gives it her all and Star Maker has a great ambassador.

“This is one of the things that will give you an advantage in what is really hard to get into in a highly competitive industry.”