The first-ever Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) were presented at the Brisbane Powerhouse last night with the aim of celebrating "the leadership, achievements and musicianship of some of our most outstanding women in Australia's music industry".
The night featured live performances from Kate Ceberano, Katie Noonan, Kween G, Merenia Marin, Adalita, Lou Bennett (Tiddas), Sophie Koh, Zoe Hauptmann, Gordi, Ancestress, Emily Wurramara and a reunion performance by Do Re Mi featuring musical icons Deborah Conway and Helen Carter.
Fourteen awards were presented with the winners decided by a jury of industry professionals and practitioners.
Recognising both her achievements as a singer-songwriter and her work as an activist through her contribution to the women's movement, Helen Reddy, was the first inductee into the AWMA honour roll last night.
Speaking proudly about the success of the inaugural event, AWA founder and director Vicki Gordon said, “Congratulations to all of tonight’s winners and finalists and a huge heart felt thank you to everyone who has believed in AWMA and the possibility for change.
"This evening we have celebrated and acknowledged the value of women across all areas of the Australian Music Industry. I am proud that AWMA has created a powerful platform to build a meaningful conversation about inclusivity, diversity and equality.”
Queensland Minister for Women, Di Farmer shared Gordon's sentiment saying she "congratulate[s] the Australian Women in Music Awards committee for their work towards encouraging more girls and women in to the music industry”.
“Women make up almost half of Australians with a music qualification and half of those studying music – yet only one-fifth of songwriters are women,” she said.
“Women hold only 28 per cent of senior and strategic roles in key industry associations, and female artists earn less in general than their male counterparts.
Check out all the winners below.
INAUGURAL AUSTRALIAN WOMEN IN MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS
APRA AMCOS Songwriter Award
Recognises a female songwriter or composer who has made extraordinary impact nationally and/or internationally in the past 12 months.
WINNER - Gordi (Sophie Payten)
SHEBAH Music Leadership Award
Recognises a female CEO, Managing Director, Label Manager, A&R Director, Artist Manager or Publisher making significant impact in music industry leadership.
WINNER - Jen Cloher
SSI Diversity in Music Award
Recognises individual artists or female-driven musical collaborations for their contribution to advancing a culturally diverse and inclusive music industry.
WINNER - Mission Songs Project
AWMA Studio Production Award
Recognises a female sound engineer or producer who has made contributions of outstanding significance in the studio recording environment.
WINNER - Anna Laverty
Canon Australia Music Photographer Award
Recognises a female music photographer currently working in the field and to acknowledge her body of work.
WINNER - Wendy McDougall
Spotify Creative Leadership Award
A curatorial award recognising excellence in creative programming and/or content creation from a woman working in a music festival, live performance/venue or media setting to champion female artists.
WINNER - Zoe Hauptmann
CICADA International Breakthrough Artist Award
Recognises a female artist who has had a significant breakthrough impact nationally in the past 12 months.
TIED WINNERS - Camp Cope and Amy Shark
Twitter Australia Artistic Excellence Award
Recognises exceptional creative achievement from a female artist/musician across any genre.
WINNER - Ngaiire
Canon Australia Film-maker Award
Recognises a female music videographer, clip-maker or film-maker currently working in the field and to acknowledge her body of work.
WINNER - Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore
AWMA Live Production Award
Recognises a female working in a live production or touring environment making significant impact in her field: Includes Tour Management, Live Sound, Lighting, Backstage and Roadcrew.
WINNER - Robyn Jelleff
The Calile Hotel Musical Excellence Award
Recognises exceptional musicianship from a female musician across any genre.
TIED WINNERS - Lydia Davies and Nerida Tyson-Chew
QUT Creative Industries Faculty Educator Award
Recognises an individual who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and/or to empowering Indigenous female artists in remote and regional communities.
WINNER - Dr Anita Collins
CAAMA Auriel Andrew Memorial Award
Recognises a true pioneer of Aboriginal women in music.
WINNER – Deborah Cheetham AO
Industry Observer Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented to a female artist or musician who has made outstanding artistic contribution to the field of recording and/or live performance during her lifetime.
WINNERS - Renée Geyer, Patricia 'Little Patty' Amphlett, Margret RoadKnight
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