Rockhampton footy star Jaymon Bob makes Australian Idol Top 30

Meet Rockhampton’s young Indigenous sports star, fresh from representing Australia at the World Cup, who is now aiming for a grand final finish on Australian Idol.

Jaymon Bob cheekily recounts how he was sitting in his family home after being grounded for one of his teenage antics when he picked up a guitar and started playing the basic notes his dad had taught him.

As his fingers moved effortlessly across the strings, it ignited an artistic fire that had been smouldering inside him for years.

“I fell in love with it, and that’s where I think my real passion for music started,” Jaymon said.

“I did love music in primary school but I was very involved in a lot of sport so music was always in the background.

“My music teacher always told me I needed to do it but I took the sporting route early.

“I wouldn’t change that for the world - it led me to represent my country and my culture on multiple occasions.”

SPORT TO SINGING STAGE

A natural athlete, Jaymon played soccer in his formative years before migrating towards touch, a sport in which he would excel.

He forged a reputation as one of the game’s best, going on to play for the Indigenous All Stars and representing Australia at the elite level, most recently at the 2024 World Cup in England.

Rockhampton touch footballer Jaymon Bob representing Australia.

He is now drawing on that sporting success and his heritage as he sets about chasing his musical dream.

He took a leap of faith, signing up for national singing competition Australian Idol.

“For the last two years, I’ve been really trying to make a career out of music,” he said.

“One of my mates, Trent (Richardson), participated last year and it was cool to see him do so well so I thought I’d give it a crack too - and it’s going well so far.”

That’s a pretty humble assessment of an audition that floored judges Kyle Sandilands, Marcia Hines and Amy Shark and earned Jaymon a golden ticket to the Top 30.

‘THAT’ AUDITION

Jaymon gave a stunning rendition of island country artist Maoli’s take on Garth Brooks’ hit, If Tomorrow Never Comes.

“I like his slowed down, relaxed, emotional feel to the song and I thought that the judges might like it too - and it paid off,” he said.

Clearly they did, fast-tracking Jaymon into the competition’s Top 30.

“We have been waiting for you for a very long time,” Shark said at the end of the performance.

Rockhampton's Jaymon Bob received a golden ticket to Australian Idol's Top 30 after his stunning audition.

Sandilands added: “We come across people like you very rarely.”

Jaymon was moved to tears, and admitted during an interview this week that it was pretty emotional.

“It’s still a bit raw,” he said.

“Hearing such kind words from high-profile people like that, it really meant a lot.

“It was a great feeling.”

THE INSPIRATION

Jaymon hopes his appearance on Australian Idol will inspire Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth to chase their dreams and show that anything is possible.

He is also driven by a burning desire to make his parents Roy and Vickie and siblings Jardel and Kaliah proud.

“I have a beautiful family and a beautiful home,” he said.

“I can’t talk about my parents without crying. I love them to death.

Jaymon’s parents Roy and Vickie Bob.

“I get a bit of tough love from Jardel and Kaliah but I know they are right behind me, supporting me.

“My mum can sing, she has the voice of an angel, so I can confidently say I got my singing genes from my mother.”

Members of Jaymon’s family waited anxiously backstage during his audition but there was one family connection very close to him on his stage.

“The guitar I performed with was one my grandfather bought for me before I started gigging,” Jaymon said.

“It has a special place in my heart and there’s even a little plaque on the back that says ‘Love ya, mate’.”

THE BIG BREAK

Jaymon recalls the events of September 2022 that delivered one of the biggest moments of his musical career at the Capricorn Food and Wine Festival.

“I remember I’d had a pretty terrible day at work and I saw this message from Tom Busby, asking if I would open for Busby Marou in their first show at home in five years,” he said.

“I’d never done a gig so I snuck in a Father’s Day performance the weekend before just to get a bit of stage time and work out how to look confident.

“I think that’s what really got the ball rolling for me and still today, it is a highlight of my life.”

PAVING THE WAY

Jaymon has done plenty of pub gigs and recently started doing some weddings.

He has also joined the Zac Cross Band as their bass player, where he is gaining more on-stage experience and learning the backstage ropes.

“I love doing it so I really don’t consider it work,” he said.

Jaymon said he was really grateful to the band members for taking him under their wing and to Tom Busby who, as well as offering the career-changing gig, had encouraged him to start writing his own music.

“He told me to get the pen and paper and write as much as I can,” he said.

“I’ve written multiple songs and I’d love to get into a studio and record them.

“I want to be a full-time musician.

“To be able to support my own family and retire my mum and dad - that’s a massive goal.”

POWER OF MUSIC

Jaymon is a proud Ghungalu man, and said song and dance was an integral part of his culture.

“Music’s not only something to listen to - you can feel it.

“It can make you feel every emotion under the sun. That’s the beautiful thing about it - you can reach so many different emotions through a song.”

Jaymon said R&B and soul sat at the top of his repertoire, but he would also throw in some reggae and country, choices heavily influenced by his cultural background and his hometown of Rockhampton.

“I’ve written country songs, I’ve written R&B and soul. Now, it’s all about trying to form them into one to try to make my own genre.”

‘BE YOURSELF’

Jaymon said it was great to be able to draw on the Australian Idol experience of his good mate Trent Richardson, who made it to the top six last year.

The two were introduced through sport, playing touch together when they were 11 or 12.

They had mutual connections and their friendship grew over the years.

“We’ve recently started getting into music together and we’ve done a gig,” Jaymon said.

Emu Park’s Trent Richardson, who appeared on Australian Idol last year, is a good mate of 2025 contestant Jaymon Bob. Picture, John Gass

“Trent’s as supportive as anything so it’s good to have him on my side.

“He had a few little tips and tricks but the best thing he said to me was just be yourself.

“That couldn’t be anymore true and I think that’s why he did so well - he was himself and Australia fell in love with him.”

It’s pretty clear Jaymon has won plenty of fans too, with social media flooded with messages of support for him.

“It’s very overwhelming. I’m feeling the love and it hits a soft spot in my heart.”

Australian Idol returns on Sunday night.

Originally published as Rockhampton footy star Jaymon Bob makes Australian Idol Top 30