PRESS RELEASE: Expressions of interest for Australian Women in Music Regional & Remote Women’s Music Program
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Expressions of interest now open for Australian Women in Music’s Queensland Regional & Remote Women’s Music Program
Expressions of interest are now open for the 2025 Australian Women in Music (AWM) Queensland Regional & Remote Women’s Music Program, with an invitation to First Nations women, female, and gender diverse artists and music practitioners in regional and remote Queensland to apply.
Supported by the Queensland Government, this is the sixth annual Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) Queensland Regional & Remote Women’s Music Program, offering an unparalleled opportunity for eight aspiring music industry practitioners to gain professional experience and participate in the entire two-day Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) and Conference Program, to be held in Meanjin Brisbane on 8-9 October 2025. The event includes the annual AWMA Conference, networking opportunities, the AWMA black carpet, Award Ceremony, Concert and after party.
Fiona Simpson MP, Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Multiculturalism, said:
“Women in rural, regional and remote communities face unique challenges in the music industry – but they also bring powerful voices, stories and talent which deserve to be heard. The Crisafulli Government is proud to support this program and break down barriers for women in every corner of our state, particularly those with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage. This is an incredible opportunity and experience, and I encourage all eligible women to make their voices heard.”
The 2025 Queensland Regional & Remote Women’s Music Program offers a unique developmental experience, particularly focused on First Nations and multicultural artists, and widely open to women at different stages of their careers across all areas of the music industry.
Participants are fully supported to attend and participate in a series of Conference forums as well as the First Nations Women’s Music Showcase, providing unique networking opportunities across the entire two-day AWMA program. All travel including airport transfers, accommodation in Brisbane and per-diems will be provided.
This year there will also be an opportunity to establish a collaboration with at least one of the 2025 participants to provide insight into the extensive rehearsal and performance experience required to perform at either the First Nations Women’s Showcase or the highly coveted Award Ceremony Concert.
Following a six-week Expression of Interest period promoted through regional channels via social media and marketing, eight women are selected on merit as the Regional Program Delegates by the four-member Program Selection Committee. Regional Delegates will be selected based on their current work, professional needs, status in the music industry and their contribution to creating a more inclusive space within their own communities.
AWMA Founding Executive Producer and Program Director Vicki Gordon noted that several previous regional participants have gone on to perform and/or work with the team at AWMA.
“The opportunity to continue to bring together a diverse group of women from across Queensland demonstrates our commitment to making the music industry more accessible for female artists, musicians and music practitioners who are too often excluded from high profile industry events of the calibre of AWMA,” said Gordon.
Two previous regional delegates, Ellie Hanlon, from Airlie Beach, and Natasha Hardiman, from Mackay, took up roles at AWMA 2024, including supporting the 2024 Regional and Remote Music Program delegation. Ellie has rejoined the AWMA 2025 team as this year’s Nominations Co-ordinator.
With a record number of nominations received last year, another stellar line-up of finalists is expected at AWMA 2025 across categories spanning all music genres and the many behind-the-scenes roles vital to the Australian music industry.
AWMA is committed to ensuring all participants are nurtured and supported to gain insight by developing authentic relationships in the music industry to experience real career outcomes. AWMA will also profile each of the selected women on the AWMA website and social forums.
Since AWMA’s inception in 2018, almost 2000 individuals have been recognised with an AWMA nomination, with 1946 nominations from 2018-2024.
AWMA has become a vital platform for recognising the vast contributions of First Nations and culturally diverse artists, musicians, technicians, photographers, journalists, leaders, artists with a disability, and music practitioners from every corner of the sector.
Applicants are invited to submit a biography and explain how attending AWMA will benefit their career and professional experience in the Australian music industry, and provide a link showcasing their current work. Applicants must be Australian citizens, and be aged 18 and over.
Applications for EOI for the Queensland Regional & Remote Women’s Music Program are open from 17 June, 2025, via AWMA website HERE: https://womeninmusicawards.com.au/regional-callout/
Applications close on Monday, 4 August 2025.
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AWMA is made possible with support from the Queensland Government and is assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and corporate, industry, and community partners.
For interview opportunities with Vicki Gordon, please contact publicist Josie Gagliano at [email protected] or 0411 234 022
Notes and links for Editors:
AWMA Queensland Regional & Remote Women’s Music Program: https://womeninmusicawards.com.au/regional-callout/
AWMA Website: womeninmusicawards.com.au
AWMA Nominate Link: https://womeninmusicawards.com.au/nominate/
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