Australian Women in Music Awards: Winners crowned in Brisbane

As the Australian Women in Music Awards made a post-pandemic return, one Aussie icon paid tribute to another. WINNERS LIST

Amy Price

2 min read

May 19, 2022 - 12:00AM

Entertainment

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When it comes to celebrating Australia’s female music powerhouses, it doesn’t get much better than Tina Area performing a tribute for Olivia Newton-John.

After a two-year Covid-19 hiatus, the Australian Women in Music Awards returned to the Tivoli in Brisbane last night, with Arena treating the crowd to a special tribute for Newton-John to celebrate her induction into the AWMA Honour Roll.

Arena also presented the inaugural Tina Arena special impact award, which was won by Dina Bassile for her work creating disability access for live music and arts events.

Tania Doko, from ARIA-award-winning duo Bachelor Girl, took home the songwriter award, which was one of 20 handed out on the night.

The event, hosted by Yumi Stynes and Dizzy Doolan, brought artists and music industry peers together after long Covid-19 interruptions and two years of cancellations.

It included performances by Sahara Beck and Montaigne as well as a new classical composition, commissioned by AWMA and performed by Elena Kats-Chernin, who won the artistic excellence award.

Tina Arena at The Tivoli in Brisbane for the AWMAs last night. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“There is a certain magic that comes from the sisterhood,” said Queensland singer Katie Noonan, who presented on the night.

“For as long as time itself, women have gathered to share stories and sounds and connect with each other. I am a fiercely proud independent Aussie female artist and I am cheering on my sisters who, despite the difficulties of the last two years, are continuing to triumphantly share their stories.”

Aboriginal Australian soprano and composer Deborah Cheetham was honoured with the lifetime achievement award for her 25-year contribution to the arts, accepted on her behalf by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

“Not only has this event celebrated the most innovative, hardworking and influential women in Australian music, it’s been an opportunity to further amplify the voices of First Nations women, who have historically been undervalued and under-represented,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“I congratulate all of this year’s winners and honorees, and thank AWMA for promoting gender equality and diversity, fostering female talent, and hosting the country’s brightest stars here in Queensland.”

In pictures: Australian Women in Music Awards