APRA Announce Professional Development Award Winners For 2015

The 2015 APRA PDA winners were announced this morning, with a number of Australian artists recognised for their hard work and dedication in the music industry, as well a career-boosting prize of $15,000.

Picking up awards this year at the official ceremony in Sydney included Timothy Carroll of Holy Holy, Ngaiire, Ruby Boots, Briggs and more. 

Check out the full list of winners below. 

Upon accepting his award, Briggs said the PDA's meant much more than just a financial boost. 

"This is an investment," the rapper said. 

"With this, it cements my place on a platform where I can bring all my boys with me because I always told them, once I have my foot firmly lodged in the door, I'm going to let them all in. So thank you for that opportunity."

Ngaiire kicks the festivities off with a stunning live performance.

During his own acceptance speech, Carroll revealed that he had considered giving up his music career until he met Holy Holy band mate, Oscar Dawson.

"It's been a really exciting three years and a lot of amazing shows all over the country and in Europe as well. I'm really looking forward to using these funds to continue that journey."

Timothy Carroll accepting his PDA, along with a small buddy of his. 

Similarly, speaking exclusively to theMusic, Sydney-based singer Ngaiire acknowledged that this was the first music award that she has received, and had previously considered other options outside of the music world. 

"When you've been doing it as long as I did...you get exhausted," she said. 

"Music has a way of dragging you back into the world, because if you're meant to be doing it, then you're meant to be doing it. There's a lot of people who have supported me and now that I've won, I've really got to make things count."

Ruby Boots closing out the ceremony with a live performance of her track, 'Middle Of Nowhere'.