Queensland hosts national awards for Women in Music

The amazing talent of female musicians across Australia has been celebrated in Brisbane tonight at the 2019 Australian Women in Music Awards.

Attending tonight’s awards, Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch congratulated the talented winners, finalists and nominees named in the second annual Australian Women in Music Awards.

“The Palaszczuk Government is proud to support this showcase of women’s talent and diversity across the music industry with $300,000 in sponsorship for the Awards over this year and next year,” she said.

“These important awards recognise and honour the outstanding accomplishments of women across the Australian music industry, while acknowledging some of the barriers female artists face in an industry that is still to achieve gender equity.”

Minister Enoch said the Australian Women in Music Awards aimed to highlight issues of gender equity, while at the same time recognising the work and achievements of female artists and industry professionals.

“Queensland is taking the lead in driving change,” Minister Enoch said.

“The Queensland Government has actioned the Queensland Women’s Strategy 2016-21, a five-year plan to guide the State closer to a future where people are treated equally and given equal opportunities to shine.

“Our Government continues to invest in the talent and creativity of women across all art forms, providing platforms to kick-start the careers of emerging female musicians and help artists to reach new audiences and land new opportunities.”

Minister Enoch presented the award for the 2019 Honour Roll Award to Judith Durham AO, a pioneer of the Australian music industry.

“Judith Durham is a trailblazer, helping to pave the way for the talent of today,” she said.

In accepting the Honour Roll Award, Judith Durham said: “They say the longest journey begins with just one step, but you have to have a dream to start, and I had plenty of dreams.

“It’s such a blessing to have spent my 76 years of life so far in musical expression; so emotionally healing, inspirational and uplifting,” Judith Durham said.

A full list of tonight’s winners is further below.

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