CONTENT COURTESY AUSTRALIAN WOMEN IN MUSIC AWARDS
A special shout-out to CutCommon’s very own editor Stephanie Eslake, who has been named a finalist in the Music Journalist Award!
Anne Cawrse (pictured above), Jessica Mauboy, Sarah McLeod, Kate Ceberano, Beccy Cole, Vika & Linda and Marianna Annas are among the exceptional list of finalists for this year’s Australian Women in Music Awards, which will be presented at a star-studded ceremony, black carpet, concert and party in Meanjin/Brisbane on 27 September 2023 and later broadcast on ABC TV.
Australian Women in Music Awards has become one of the most important events on the Australian music industry calendar, acknowledging the vast contributions and shining a light on the incredible accomplishments of women across all areas of industry from on stage, to those working behind the scenes, technicians, leaders, elders, performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, filmmakers and photographers, music journalists and more.
“AWMA has raised the collective voice — demanding equitable access, safety and recognition for women in the Australian music industry. We support and promote women as vital, essential contributors to the future business growth of the sector and are calling on the industry to adopt Gender Equality as a Core Music Industry value,” said AWMA Founding Executive Producer & Program Director Vicki Gordon.
“Gender equity is still a long way in the future and we all need to remain vigilant.”
Twenty AWMAs are ready to be snapped up this year, from a public and self-nomination process that attracted hundreds of individual nominations, each assessed by a specially convened 37 seat Jury Council comprised of industry professionals and practitioners of the highest calibre, with representation across a diverse range of music disciplines and cultures.
“We received nominations from every state and across all areas of diversity, the quality was exceptional with a broad representation from artists and music practitioners who operate outside the mainstream industry. It made the task of our jurors very tough,“ said Dr Diana Tolmie, Senior Lecturer of Professional Practice at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, D’Addario International Artist and AWMA Juror Chair.
Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman said: “Congratulations to this year’s finalists, who should not only be proud of their achievements but also the inspiration they provide in empowering young women and girls considering a future in music.”
Inaugural ARIA Executive Leader Game Changer Award
FINALISTS: Emily Collins, Nazlican Eren, Sophie Galaise
Lifetime Achievement Award
FINALISTS: Kate Ceberano, Jeannie Lewis, Clare Moore
Tina Arena Special Impact Award
FINALISTS: Oana Gilbert (RIP), Lisa Smith, Kylie Thompson
Humanitarian Award
FINALISTS: Gemma Farrell, Alison Hams, Andrea Smith
Diversity in Music Award
FINALISTS: Cerisa Benjamin, Ripple Effect Band, Ruth O’Brien
Excellence in Classical Music Award
FINALISTS: Anne Cawrse, Celia Craig, Jenny Duck-Chong (pictured below)
Inaugural Women in Heavy Music Award
FINALISTS: Jelena Goluza, Emmy Mack, Amy Simmons
Creative Leadership Award
FINALISTS: Claire Edwardes, Sharni Honor, Chelsea Wilson
Artistic Excellence Award
FINALISTS: Beccy Cole, Jessica Mauboy, Vika & Linda
Studio Production Award
FINALISTS: Candice Lorrae, Robyn Lee Payne, Elise Reitze-Swensen
Live Creative Production Award
FINALISTS: Nikki Nouveau, Sarah Ponturo, Naomi Price
Live Production Touring Award
FINALISTS: Karen-lee Herrmann, Jenny Moon, Stacey Queffert
Music Leadership Award
FINALISTS: Marianna Annas, Beth Appleton, Mary Jo Capps AM
Songwriter Award
FINALISTS: Tanya Batt, Sarah McLeod, Toni Watson
Emerging Artist Award
FINALISTS: Ashli, Jem Cassar-Daley, Merinda Dias-Jayasinha
Music Photographer Award
FINALISTS: Ruby Boland, Lucinda Goodwin, Mia Mala McDonald
Filmmaker Award
FINALISTS: Philippa Bateman, Triana Hernandez, Amy Louisee
Music Journalist Award
FINALISTS: Stephanie Eslake, Jane Gazzo, Tait McGregor
For more information, visit the Australian Women in Music Awards website.
