Australian Women In Music Awards Unveil Ceremony & Conference Program Details
"Australian Women In Music is committed to delivering a culturally safe and inclusive platform to foster long-term structural change across the sector and AWMA is doing just that."
Sarah McLeod, Kate Miller-Heidke, IXARAS (Credit: Supplied)
With just a matter of weeks to go until the 2025 edition of the Australian Women In Music Awards, organisers have today shared the details for its AWMA Conference along with information about Awards ceremony itself.
While the AWMA Awards will be taking place at the Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane on October 9th, 2025, the event itself will feature broadcaster and author Yumi Stynes, who returns to co-host alongside Australia’s rising star, operatic soprano, Nina Korbe.
Their presence will be complemented by a roster of talented artists, including Kate Miller-Heidke, Missy Higgins, ‘Babyshakes’ Dillon, Sarah McLeod, Arrkula Yinbayarra (alongside Shellie Morris), The Waifs’ Donna Simpson and Vikki Thorn, teen prodigy IXARAS, and mezzosoprano Aylish Ryan.
Meanwhile, the ceremony will also feature the AWMA House Band, which includes AWMA Music Director and bassist Zoe Hauptmann, keyboardist and vocalist Sarah Belkner, guitarist and vocalist Kath Halloran, and drummer Lozz Benson.
The day prior to the Awards, on October 8th, will see the launch of the AWMA Conference, with the year's program focused around the theme of 'Youth, Leadership & Legacy.
Described as a "dynamic thought leadership platform built to share insights and ideas to provoke new ways of thinking," the Conference looks to highlight diverse and myriad experiences and perspectives to amplify the voices of First Nations women, female and gender diverse individuals working across all areas of the Australian music industry.
Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter
Most notably, this year will see a special 'In Conversation' event delivered by live music and entertainment photographer Brittany Long.
Elsewhere, the Conference also features discussions surrounding equity and opportunity in music technology, sound production and digital creation; storytelling and cultural leadership of First Nations women in music; the development and ongoing sustainability of gender diverse young people in the music industry; and new leadership models which move away from traditional patriarchal structures.
"Australian Women In Music is committed to delivering a culturally safe and inclusive platform to foster long-term structural change across the sector and AWMA is doing just that”, AWMA Founding Executive Producer & Program Director Vicki Gordon said in a statement.
Tickets to the AWMA's 2025 Conference and Awards are on sale now, with full program details also available now.
AUSTRALIAN WOMEN IN MUSIC AWARDS
2025 FINALISTS
ARIA Executive Leader Award
FINALISTS: Monique Douglas, Kimbali Harding, Nicole Richards
Opera Impact Award
FINALISTS: Nicole Car, Andrée Greenwell, Siobhan Stagg
Universal Music Australia Lifetime Achievement Award
TO BE ANNOUNCED ON THE NIGHT
Tina Arena Special Impact Award
FINALISTS: Nancy Bates, Elise Reitze-Swensen, Kylie Thompson
Ethical Engagement Consultancy Humanitarian Award
FINALISTS: Tina Broad, Catherine Mundy OAM, Yantra de Vilder
SSI Diversity in Music Award
FINALISTS: Grace Chia, Christine García, Mindy Meng Wang
Excellence in Classical Music Award
FINALISTS: Cheryl Barker AO, Claire Edwardes, Catherine Milliken
Australian Women in Music Inspiration Award
TO BE ANNOUNCED ON THE NIGHT
Oztix Women in Heavy Music Award
FINALISTS: Leah Martin-Brown, Chrissy McHugh, Monica Strut
Collarts Creative Leadership Award
FINALISTS: Luara Brandao, Kimberley Galceran, Sonja Horbelt
Sony Music Australia Artistic Excellence Award
FINALISTS: Kate Miller-Heidke, Missy Higgins, Dr Shellie Morris AO
Studio Production Award
FINALISTS: Tahlia-Rose Coleman, Elise Reitze-Swensen, Louise Wheatley
Creative Technical Solutions Live Creative Production Award
FINALISTS: Kate Berry, Karen Norris, Sarah Ponturo
The Fortitude Music Hall Live Production Touring Award
FINALISTS: Letisha Ackland, Bonnie Knight, Kat Rallis
ALH Hotels Music Leadership Award
FINALISTS: Alexis Benedict, Maggie Collins, Fiona Duncan
APRA AMCOS Songwriter Award
FINALISTS: Dallas Frasca, Missy Higgins, Vikki Thorn & Donna Simpson of The Waifs
City of Gold Coast Emerging Artist Award
FINALISTS: Beckah Amani, Katia Geha, Maeve Grieve
Hotel X Music Photographer Award
FINALISTS: Adrianne Armida, Izzie Austin, Suzanne Phoenix
Filmmaker Award
FINALISTS: Izzie Austin, Emily Dynes, Chrissy McHugh
Brisbane City Council Music Journalist Award
FINALISTS: Megan Burslem, Jane Gazzo, Jules LeFevre
More From Our Network
