Australian musicians and singer-songwriters Sophie Payten (best known as Gordi) and Danielle Caruana (Mama Kin) have been re-appointed to the Music Australia Council, while Josh Pyke and Leah Flanagan have joined the federal government’s organisation on two-year terms.

Of course, none of the aforementioned artists only make music. Mama Kin co-founded The Seed Fund, a philanthropic organisation that supports artists. She’s also a published author. In addition to her music career, Gordi is a trained medical doctor who supported local communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Leah Flanagan is the National Director of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO), while Josh Pyke is a children’s book author, Director of Josh Pyke Touring, and Chair of the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA).

As detailed on its website, the Music Australia board works to “develop new strategic partnerships within and beyond the music sector, including to undertake research and data collection around key issues, including festivals and venues.”

This will see them “increase development of original music through investment in artistic creation”, as well as “develop new co-investment agreements with states, territories and industry to deliver national sector-wide priorities.”

The federal Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said of today’s announcement: “Appointing the right mix of skills and experience to the Council ensures Music Australia continues to deliver what the industry needs to grow and realise its potential, at home and internationally.

“It’s essential that Australian musicians and industry experts themselves have a seat at the table – and that’s what these appointments will achieve.

“With their dedication, passion and expertise in Australian music, the appointees will make sure that Australian music is the soundtrack to life in Australia.”

Gordi, Mama Kin, and Fred Leone were appointed to the Music Australia Council in August 2023. Other council members appointed in 2023 included ACFTA CEO Adrian Collette, Michael Chugg, UNITY Management Group’s Petrina Convey, Labor parliamentarian Lisa Baker, the Victorian Department of Education’s Fred Alale, and Future Classic CEO Nathan McLay.

Across its first four years, Music Australia received backing of $70 million, arriving as part of the Labor government’s $283 million Revive program for the arts and culture industries.