TWO local songwriters who are also good friends are celebrating this week after both hit individual success in separate national music competitions.

Sixteen-year-old Ray-Lee Russell's song Heartbroken (also known as Broken) is now in the final round of the Top 25 songs in the youth category of the Australian Songwriter's Association's 2012 Songwriter's Competition, after finding Top 10 success in the same category last year.

She now goes on to the next round and if successful, will make it to the Top 10 at the ASA National Songwriting Awards gala night at Wests Ashfield Leagues Club in Sydney on December 13.

Meanwhile, her good friend, 28-year-old Lani Brouwer-Hughes, has taken out the digital heat of the Telstra Road To Discovery music development program, giving her a chance to travel to a three-day music camp in Melbourne as well as perform at the semi-finals in Queenscliff, Victoria.

While they have only known each other for a year, the pair say they are like sisters and are both thrilled with their success this week.

"We're like family, it's very exciting," Ray-Lee said.

More entertainment news Page 15.

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