From artists working in remote communities, to those gracing Australia’s biggest concert stages, the Australian Women In Music Awards (AWMA) celebrated women, non-binary and gender non-conforming members of the Australian music community in Meanjin/Brisbane on October 9.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following article contains the names and images of people who have died.

Jump to the full list of finalists and winners.

Celebrating First Nations women

The spotlight was on First Nations women, with a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Legacy Award added, to recognise and encourage First Nations women and their contributions to the music industry.

Cultural songwomen from the Arrkula Yinbayarra (Together We Sing) project, with Dr Shellie Morris AO, were the inaugural recipients of the award.

The project was born out of a desire to maintain the languages of Borroloola, in the Northern Territory’s Gulf region.

Arrkula Yinbayarra and Morris also performed during the event.

Morris picked up two other awards, the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Artistic Excellence Award.

A black and white image of Ruby Hunter in a head dress with feathers and shells.

Ruby Hunter was inducted into the Honour Roll, which includes artists like Helen Reddy and Dame Olivia Newton-John. (National Portrait Gallery: Jacqueline Mitelman)

Ruby Hunter was posthumously inducted into the AWMA Honour Roll. 

In 1994 the Ngarrindjeri, Kukatha and Pitjantjatjara woman became the first Aboriginal woman to sign with a major record label on the release of her solo debut album, Thoughts Within.

Hunter helped tell the stories of the Stolen Generation through her music and was a mentor and parental figure to so many First Nations musicians in subsequent generations.

Speaking of Hunter’s importance as a role model, Yvette Scholtmeyer said:

“You can’t be what you can’t see.”Recognising artists across genres

Artistic awards crossed a full range of genres, including indie-folk, heavy music, hip-hop and R&B, opera and classical music.

Donna Simpson and Vikki Thorn from The Waifs received the Inspiration Award recognising creative role models for younger generations.

Accepting the Songwriter Award, Missy Higgins thanked the women who supported her journey: 

“I would not be where I am without the incredible women in my life.”

Chinese-Australian hip-hop/R&B artist, Grace Chia, won the Diversity in Music Award for her genre-defying sound and her transformative contributions to cultural diversity and inclusion.

Internationally renowned Australian soprano Nicole Car received the Opera Impact Award, and composer and performer, Catherine Milliken, won the Excellence in Classical Music Award. 

A smiling woman in a white sleeveless blouse crosses her arms in front of her, resting her chin on her left arm.

Soprano Nicole Car has built a huge international career, helping pave the way for other Australian opera singers. (Supplied: Heather Elizabeth.)

Composer Katia Geha took out the Emerging Artist Award, and the Women in Heavy Music Award went to Monica Strut.

Celebrating other contributions of women in music

Other awards on the night recognised advocates, photographers, music journalists, filmmakers, producers and leaders.

Tina Broad smiles at the camera and wears a white shirt with a black tie.

Tina Broad’s work in regional areas won her the Humanitarian Award. (Supplied: AWMA)

For her work to create a vibrant musical life outside of metropolitan areas, Tina Broad received the Humanitarian Award. 

Broad ran the national programs Play for Life and SongMakers while based in regional Australia, prioritising engaging outreach outside of metropolitan areas.

Dark Mofo music director Kimberley Galceran won the Creative Leadership Award recognising her bold and progressive programs, showcasing some of the most exciting female, gender-diverse, and culturally diverse artists from Australia and the world.

Acknowledging progress and exploring what still needs to be done

Throughout the ceremony, the presenters and recipients stressed the importance of women supporting each other, holding each other up, and making a better future for women and gender diverse people in the music industry.

“We pay tribute to the many among us and those who have gone before us, who have fought for safety, for opportunity, for creative excellence and the freedom to express the deepest truths of ourselves,” said Vicki Gordon, founding executive producer and program director of AWMA.

Ackowledging the challenges of her 30-year career, and the people who supported her on her path, The Superjesus singer and guitarist, and AWMA Chair said:

“Equality should be the starting point, not the finish line.”

The awards ceremony was preceded by a one-day conference exploring issues still affecting women in Australian music. 

Entertainment photographer ‘on wheels’, Brittany Long, shared the challenges and triumphs that shaped her career, as well as her vision for a truly barrier-free live music scene.

Other conversations centred on remote First Nations women in music, storytelling and cultural leadership, explored the young female and gender diverse creatives shaping the future of music, and examined gender norms in audio and tech.

A singer and pianist at a grand piano perform on a purple-lit concert stage.

The ceremony has a history of star-studded performances. This year included Kate Miller-Heidke, Missy Higgins, and Sarah McLeod and many others. (AWMA: Darcy Goss Media)

Hosted by broadcaster Yumi Stynes and soprano Nina Korbe, the ceremony also featured performances by Aylish Ryan, Babyshakes Dillon, ixaras,  Missy Higgins, Sarah McLeod, and Donna Simpson and Vikki Thorn.

In a tongue-in-cheek performance, Kate Miller-Heidke along with the house band summed up much of the feeling of the room:

“You underestimated me dude / And I almost feel sorry for you / Because the tide is turning.”Winners and finalists of Australian Women In Music Awards 2025Executive Leader AwardWINNER: Nicole RichardsMonique DouglasKimbali HardingOpera Impact AwardWINNER: Nicole CarAndrée GreenwellSiobhan StaggLifetime Achievement AwardWINNER: Dr Shellie Morris AOTina Arena Special Impact AwardWINNER: Kylie ThompsonNancy BatesElise Reitze-SwensenHumanitarian AwardWINNER: Tina BroadCatherine Mundy OAMYantra de VilderDiversity in Music AwardWINNER: Grace ChiaChristine GarcíaMindy Meng WangExcellence in Classical Music AwardWINNER: Catherine MillikenCheryl Barker AOClaire EdwardesAustralian Women in Music Inspiration AwardWINNER: Donna Simpson and Vikki Thorn of the WaifsWomen in Heavy Music AwardWINNER: Monica StrutLeah Martin-BrownChrissy McHughCreative Leadership AwardWINNER: Kimberley GalceranLuara BrandaoSonja HorbeltArtistic Excellence AwardWINNER: Dr Shellie Morris AOKate Miller-HeidkeMissy HigginsStudio Production AwardWINNER: Tahlia-Rose ColemanElise Reitze-SwensenLouise WheatleyLive Creative Production AwardWINNER: Kate BerryKaren NorrisSarah PonturoLive Production Touring AwardWINNER: Letisha AcklandBonnie KnightKat RallisMusic Leadership AwardWINNER: Fiona DuncanAlexis BenedictMaggie CollinsSongwriter AwardWINNER: Missy HigginsDallas FrascaVikki Thorn & Donna Simpson (The Waifs)Emerging Artist AwardWINNER: Katia GehaBeckah AmaniMaeve GrieveMusic Photographer AwardWINNER: Suzanne PhoenixAdrianne ArmidaIzzie AustinFilmmaker AwardWINNER: Emily DynesIzzie AustinChrissy McHughMusic Journalist AwardWINNER: Jules LeFevreMegan BurslemJane Gazzo