by Janine Marshman
Thu 3 Oct
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Nina Korbe performs in tribute to Dame Joan Sutherland during the Australian Women in Music Awards. (Photo: AWMA / Darcy Goss) |
From opera to heavy music, women, non-binary and gender non-conforming members of the Australian music community charged to the front at the 2024 Australian Women In Music Awards (AWMA) held in Meanjin/Brisbane on October 2.
Trailblazers Dame Joan Sutherland OM, AC, DBE, and Patricia "Little Pattie" Amphlett OAM were both inducted into the AWMA Honour Roll.
Sutherland is recognised as one of the greatest sopranos of all time.
Introduced by Katie Noonan, who talked of Sutherland as a great inspiration to her, the award was accepted by Sutherland's granddaughter, Natasha Bonynge.
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Natasha Bonynge remembers her grandmother, Dame Joan Sutherland, during her posthumous induction into the Awards Honour Roll. (Photo: AWMA / Darcy Goss) |
In tribute to 'La Stupenda', as Sutherland was known, First Nations soprano Nina Korbe performed one of Sutherland's signature pieces, the Jewel aria from Gounod's Faust.
Patricia "Little Pattie" Amphlett OAM, who many might remember from her appearances on TV variety shows like Bandstand in the 60s and 70s, was recognised for her contribution to musical entertainment, and her long and continued advocacy on behalf of artists.
The 21 awards presented recognised the significant contributions across the sector, from performing artists, to advocates, photographers, music journalists, film makers, producers and leaders.
Working towards greater equity in the Australian music industry
Improving diversity, equity and inclusion in the industry was a key theme of the event, shining a light on many leaders in this space.
First Nations singer/songwriter Toni Janke received the Diversity in Music Award acknowledging three decades of work performing and advocating for great inclusion of First Nations artists.
ABC Classic and ABC Jazz manager Kat McGuffie was recognised for her passion and commitment to broadening audiences and representation in music with the Creative Leadership Award.
Celebrating women and gender diverse people through words and music
Matriarchal energy was a theme of the night, with many thanking the mothers and women who have supported them through their careers and lives.
Winners gave shout-outs to the mums who were sharing the event with them, and the children bringing different meaning and focus to their work.
The ceremony included performances across a wide variety of genres, including appearances by Sarah Blasko, MO'JU, Nina Korbe, Sarah McLeod, Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp, Karen Lee Andrews and Emily Wurramara.
Kasey Chambers, who took out the Lifetime Achievement Award, performed a banjo cover of Eminem's 2002 hit, Lose Yourself.
The ceremony closed with a desert metal rendition of Midnight Oil's Beds are Burning, featuring all the night's performers, led by Mutitjulu elder Ukambari Trigger.
Highlighting the issues impacting women in the music industry
The AWMA conference on October 1 brought together women in the music industry for a day of panel discussions centring on issues impacting women and the broader industry.
Discussions ranged from the importance of intersectionality in approaching diversity and inclusion in the Australian music industry, centring the voices of First Nations women, safety in the workplace, and sustainability.
2024 Honour Roll Inductees
- Dame Joan Sutherland OM AC DBE
- Patricia "Little Pattie" Amphlett OAM
First published at ABC News, October 3, 2024
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