Australian Women in Music Awards

Women are really kicking goals in the local music scene, so it’s fantastic to see their diverse and exciting contributions acknowledged with the 2019 Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA). Taking place in Brisbane on October 9, the awards celebrate all the incredible things women are doing in the industry. Looking through the list of contenders, it’s thrilling to see such diversity represented with women of all ages, races, and sexual identities in the mix.

“As well as the opportunity to celebrate tremendous talent, AWMA provides a platform for artists and music practitioners including those in regional and remote areas, to come together, to learn and empower one another. We received almost double the nominations this year, from every state and across all areas of diversity, reflecting the urgent need for change in the Australian music industry,” said AWMA Founding Director and Executive Producer, Vicki Gordon.

Only a select few will come away with awards on the night, so I want to publish the names of all the finalists here now. If you’re not across their work, take the opportunity to see what they’re all about.

ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE AWARD
Christine Anu
Nai Palm
NGAIIRE

CREATIVE LEADERSHIP AWARD
Claire Edwardes
Elaine Chia
Katie Noonan

DIVERSITY IN MUSIC AWARD
Christine Anu
Lisa Cheney & Peggy Polias (Making Waves)
NGAIIRE

EMERGING ARTIST AWARD
Alice Skye
Ella Fence
Lisa Caruso

EXCELLENCE IN CLASSICAL MUSIC AWARD
Caroline Almonte
Claire Edwardes
Sarah-Grace Williams

EXCELLENCE IN IMAGE MAKING AWARD
Chloe Jean
Melaine Knight
Ntombi Moyo

FILMMAKER AWARD
Aimée-Lee Xu Hsien Curran
Tashi Hall

HUMANITARIAN AWARD
Alison Hams
Dami Im
Lindy Morrison, OAM

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Joy McKean, OAM
Marcia Hines, AM
Vika and Linda Bull

LIVE PRODUCTION AWARD
Jenny Moon
Kait Hall
Laurie May

MUSIC JOURNALIST AWARD
Ange McCormack
Jane Gazzo
Jules LeFevre

MUSIC LEADERSHIP AWARD
Elise Reitze-Swensen
Lynette Irwin
Sue Telfer

MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHER AWARD
Jessica Vaini
Kerrie Geier
Tashi Hall

SONGWRITER AWARD
Mojo Juju
NGAIIRE
Thelma Plum

STUDIO PRODUCTION AWARD
Elise Reitze-Swensen (Feels)
Kathy Naunton
Virginia Read

In addition to the awards night, the AWMAs will host a thought-provoking program at Brisbane Powerhouse on October 8 and 9 with forums exploring women’s visibility in hip hop, the intersection of music and politics, and more. If you’re local or travelling to Brissie for the awards, make sure you get amongst it.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Australian women are kicking some serious arse in the music industry right now. Amy Shark, Courtney Barnett, and Eurovision queen Kate Miller-Heidke are all making their mark on the international scene, and we’re got a host of fresh new talent coming up the ranks. So it’s only fitting that the Australian Women in Music Awards are returning for a second year in October.

Last year’s event saw performances from the likes of Kate Ceberano, Katie Noonan, Adalita, Do Re Mi, and Emily Wurramara, and you can bet organisers will have more special acts in store this year. There’ll also be brand new forums including Visibility in Hip Hop – Women on the Front Line, The Art of Rebellion – The Intersection of Music and Politics, and Image Making – The Changing Face of Music, which will help ignite the conversation about women and their place in the local music industry. There are new award categories too recognising Excellence in Classical Music, Music Journalist Award, and Excellence in Image Making.

“We have so many wonderful people committed to the work we are doing,” explained the awards’ founder and executive director, Vicki Gordon. “The AWMAs will keep getting bigger and more powerful; we are providing recognition for many women in the industry that have been ignored for far too long.”

The second annual Australian Women in Music Awards returns to the Brisbane Powerhouse on October 8. Without any television coverage, buying some tickets is the only way to see what goes down. They’re on sale now from Ticketek.

Image used with permission from Beehive PR; photo credit: Cheryl Gray (Mulberry Seed)

Tag: Australian Women in Music Awards

2019 Australian Women in Music Awards Just Weeks Away

Australian Women in Music Awards Returns to Brisbane