Australian Women in Music Awards (commonly known informally as AWMA) is a not for profit charity which delivers an annual award ceremony and conference program to recognise the vast contributions of women across all areas of the Australian Music industry. The two-day program includes forums, a show case event and networking.[1]
Australian Women in Music Awards | |
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Current: 2023 Australian Women in Music Awards | |
Awarded for | Recognising and celebrating women in the Australian Music Industry who have made significant and lasting contributions in their chosen field.[1] |
Location | The Tivoli.[2] |
Country | Australia |
First awarded | 2018 |
Last awarded | Current |
Website | womeninmusicawards |
The AWMA was founded in March 2018 by industry veteran Vicki Gordon and come after the research report 'Skipping a Beat' published in 2017 found gender inequality to be rife in the Australian music industry. Artist Katie Noonan said at the launch, "These awards are a powerful signal to our industry, our artists and our audience that female musicians can, should and will take centre stage".[3] The inaugural event was staged in Brisbane on 9–10 October 2018.[4] Helen Reddy was the inaugural inductee into the AWMA Honour Roll.[5]
In its second year, the AWMAs became a beacon for recognising the achievements and contributions of women across all areas of the Australian music industry.[6] In 2020 & 2021 AWMA was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.[7] AWMA returned on 17–18 May 2022 in Brisbane Queensland.
The aim of the Australian Women in Music Awards is to redress the under-representation of women in the Australian music scene by recognising the value, achievements and contributions of women in all areas of industry. Women represent only one-fifth of songwriters and composers registered with APRA, despite making up 45 percent of qualified musicians. Of the 100 most played songs on commercial radio in 2016, only 31 were by a female act or act with a female lead. Since the first Australian Independent Records Association Awards in 2006 to 2018, only 22 of the total 103 awards presented have been won by acts with a female lead, or equal numbers of women and men.[8]
Categories as listed below[9]
To see the full article for a particular year, please click on the year link.
Year | Honour Roll | Lifetime Achievement Award | Ref. |
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2018 | Helen Reddy | Patricia Amphlett, Renée Geyer & Margret RoadKnight | [10] |
2019 | Judith Durham | Joy McKean | [11] |
2020 | Not held (due to Covid restrictions) | [7] | |
2021 | Olivia Newton-John | Deborah Cheetham | [12] |
2022 | Not held (due to Covid restrictions) The 2021 was held in May 2022 | [13][14] | |
2023 | Renée Geyer and Judy Stone | Jeannie Lewis, Clare Moore and Kate Ceberano | [15] |