Georgia Potter Wins Inaugural Carol Lloyd Award At Qld Music Festival Launch

Emergent alt-pop musician Georgia Potter has been named as the first-ever winner of the $15,000 Carol Lloyd Award, a prize created in honour of Australia's original 'rock chick'.

Announced at last night's launch for the 2017 Queensland Music Festival and presented by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, the award will provide Potter with funding to either record an original album, or create an EP and undertake an accompanying tour, as well as assistance with industry interaction as she continues to establish herself as a professional musician.

Potter is best-known as the creative centre of alt-pop trio Moreton, who released their debut single, The Water, in July last year, around the same time as signing with Create/Control. Her songs have gathered broad acclaim in the short time since, follow-up single Reckless even picking up airtime on Los Angeles radio station KCRW.

The 2017 Carol Lloyd Award was judged by QMF artistic director Katie Noonan, former co-owner of iconic Brissy venue Joc Curran, revered industry identity Leanne De Souza, singer-songwriter Sean Sennett and ex-Go-Betweens bassist John Willsteed.

Potter won the prize after more than 70 entries were whittled down to five finalists, a group that also included QMA-winning songstress Emily Wurramara, Cairns blues-and-roots favourite Leanne Tennant, thespian and musician Angela Tookey and singer-poet Teila Watson, aka Ancestress.

"Moreton's unique artistic vision and fresh voice made her an absolute standout application," Noonan said in a statement.

"We feel she is on the cusp of a significant career, and that this grant will help her realise her grand vision and contribute significantly to the Australian contemporary music vernacular."

Lloyd — a beloved fixture of the Queensland music industry, renowned for her work with cult '70s outfit Railroad Gin and as the first Australian artist of any gender to pick up a worldwide publishing deal with EMI — passed away in February following a more-than two-year battle with terminal pulmonary fibrosis.

Noonan previously described the award as a chance to "enable and inspire the next generation … to carry the flame lit by Carol more than four decades ago".

Entries for the 2018 award will open in October.

The Queensland Music Festival will run from 7-30 July across the state.

See the event's website for more information.