The time has come for positive change.
Be the force that drives it in this vital leadership role.
Contemporary Music Victoria Inc. (Music Victoria) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation and the state peak body for contemporary music. We represent musicians, venues, music businesses and professionals, and music lovers across the contemporary Victorian music community. Music Victoria provides advocacy on behalf of the music sector, actively supports the development of the Victorian music community, and celebrates and promotes Victorian music.
Are you our next CEO….
We are looking for a professional with remarkable communication skills at all levels as you converse with ministers and musicians alike. You will be driven, passionate and adaptable while not only open to change you embrace it. You will be a good operator with sound strategic and financial planning skills.
A day in the life of our CEO could include advocacy work with the Government, whilst communication will factor in all aspects of your day as you work closely with stakeholders including the Music Victoria Board Members and Creative Victoria while engaging with the media or adding value as a member of industry panels.
There will be challenge and reward in equal measure in this role, as you:
In exchange for your hard work, you'll be well rewarded: a suitably competitive salary awaits. But more than that, you'll be contributing to an organisation that brings music to the lives of Victorians, taking full ownership and driving us towards an even brighter future.
This position will commence 1 February 2021. It is expected that interviews will take place in January. This role is being readvertised. Previous applicants do not need to re-apply.
To apply for this job go to:
https://musicvictoria.recruitmenthub.com.au
Applications close 02 January 2021
By Lyndelle Wilkinson (PBS Broadcaster and Music Victoria Awards co-host), with assistance from Marty Boulton (The Age)
What started as a celebration for the 21st birthday of the EG, has resulted in where we find ourselves in 2020. With a whole lot of extraordinary in the middle. There is a history here that we would like to share.
Back in 2006 Paddy Donovan wanted to celebrate The Age’s much loved music bible, the Entertainment Guide – EG. He had another idea too – to create a public vote to honour the best music and artists of those years and award them on the night.
Droves turned up – it was a concert and a party but with awards. And ‘wha-la’, recognising and celebrating music in this great city became an annual event. It was a huge success.
I first met Paddy when he wandered into PBS FM at 8am to promote one of the early award nights at The Prince Bandroom, on my radio show. He had a huge announcement to share. Bonnie Tyler was to perform and it’s here when I learned the 'power of Paddy', as he handed me a CD and said ‘here, it’s a Bonnie Tyler track to play, it’ll go off’ and so I simply nodded and played it. Later that night, I witnessed Bonnie Tyler bursting onto the stage singing ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ backed by the mighty EG All-Stars and it blew everyone away – I know! Paddy knew. That’s how it works. That moment for Paddy would sit up there as one of his favourite music memories of all time
Those early, rollicking awards nights at the Prince were legendary, one of the best was the year he convinced the Painters and Dockers to get back together – they were celebrated and inducted into the Hall of Fame. Like the year Nirvana played nearby at the Palais - the concert that everyone says they were at – this was one of those nights. Paddy helped put the Dockers back together and they are still going today.
There were some extraordinary names being recognised along the way – fantastic musicians like Paul Kelly, Kim Salmon, Weddings Parties Anything and Wagons. Hall of Fame inductions like the late, great Steven Walker. Great contributors to our local music scene.
Six years on from the first awards night, Paddy left The Age - he became the first CEO of Music Victoria - a job he was made for. It’s a role he has embodied for the past 10 years.
In 2012 & 2013 The Age's Jo Roberts, Marty Boulton along with 2020's Hall of Fame inductee Mary Mihelakos, carried the flame for the awards, much to the delight of Melbourne’s music loving punters. By then it had become part of the city’s music calendar.
Once Music Victoria got off the ground - The Age partnered up with Music Victoria to take the awards to the next level - and to return them to the father of the awards - Paddy Donovan - from which time - they went from strength to strength, moving to 170 Russell and expanding recognition to more artists.
This period ushered in a terrific innovation - the creation of the Genre Awards, which spread the spotlight to even more Victorians artists - and til this day they are a real and important feature of the awards.
In 2019, The Age stepped away as a partner and the big event continued as the Music Victoria Awards, co-presented by Triple R 102.7FM and PBS 106.7FM.
Superstar favourites of the awards - like Courtney Barnett, The Drones, Paul Kelly and Adalita continue to attend, support and perform at the awards – which speaks to the place that the awards now hold in our Victorian music community.
In more recent years - at our now prestigious home for the awards, The Melbourne Recital Centre, the awards have grown in stature – The Teskey Brothers, Baker Boy, Sampa the Great and Mildlife are just some of the acts to join the stage and carry home awards.
Back in 2015, for the 10th annual awards, Paddy’s marvelous mind stepped it up a notch with a special celebration at the Palace, hosting a lunch for all of the Hall of Fame inductees, right on the stage of magnificent old venue - followed soon after by a concert by some of the greats - John Farnham, Archie Roach, The Seekers - all devised and agreed to on a handshake with Glen Wheatley and the manager at The Palais at the time. Hosted by Brian Nankervis – the night was a huge success.
Over the years the Hall of Fame has welcomed Molly Meldrum, Chrissy Amphlett, Vika and Linda, Renee Geyer and Daddy Cool, who like Painters and Dockers - Paddy coerced back onto the stage. So after 25 years they reformed for the event - with what turned out to be, the last ever, unforgettable live performance of Daddy Cool. The queues that night went around the corner.
In another memorable year - Paddy was determined to fit the entire Melbourne Ska Orchestra – that’s 30 plus performers - on stage at 170 Russell with an Awards event that went for 7+hours. It went off! There are no obstacles with Paddy and his determination to celebrate and create memories. He is inclusive, well-loved and respected and humble. There are so many stories, but alas not enough time to relay them all.
The sponsorship for these awards which Paddy has been able to secure to fund these awards has been monumental, he started from scratch and after all of these years the tally of prize money going directly to artists exceeds $120,000. It's been a lot of hard work, blood, sweat and grit, but these awards are now in a commanding position.
Along the way - the awards team has expanded, changed and brought together talented and passionate people, all led by Paddy. Bek Duke, Belinda Collins, Chloe Turner, Karen Conrad, Sarah Guppy and Emily Ulman are among those who have played significant roles. More recently, they have been in the very capable hands of Laura Imbruglia these past 2 years, she and her team have confidently taken the reins and they are in incredibly safe hands moving forward.
Thanks to Paddy, these awards have formed lifelong friends and created positive change and impact to our state and our amazing and valuable music scene. And for that we could never thank him enough. He parted ways with Music Victoria just last month after 10 years of steering the ship, we could not let an opportunity pass. So Paddy Donovan. Please take a stand and take a bow.
Last night, the 16th edition of the annual Music Victoria Awards honoured Victoria’s best acts, albums, songs and musicians of the year in another exceptional awards night. Taking place as part of the Melbourne Music Week Extended program at the Melbourne Recital Centre, the live-streamed event and Channel 31 TV special revealed the seven public-voted winners and 14 industry-voted winners following a handful of previously announced 2020 awards and accolades handed out at last month’s Industry Awards event.
Co-presented by RRR 102.7FM and PBS 106.7FM, and MC’d by beloved community radio presenters and stalwarts of the Victorian music scene, Lyndelle Wilkinson and Chris Gill, the evening also featured exciting live performances on the Recital Centre stage from Alice Skye, Elizabeth, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever and Simona Castricum.
This year’s Awards queen is the ineffable Sampa The Great who took home a massive four awards including Best Album, Best Solo Artist, Best Soul, Funk, Gospel or RnB Album and Best Song for her hit single ‘OMG’, and winning a $3000 in cash from APRA AMCOS. Beloved pub rock trio Amyl and The Sniffers took home three awards for Best Band, plus Best Live Act with frontwoman Amy Taylor being crowned Best Musician. Yamaha Music sponsored four Awards categories this year, providing $5000 in vouchers for Yamaha gear for the lucky winners.
Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal and Badu Island singer songwriter Kee’ahn took home the coveted Archie Roach Foundation Award for Emerging Talent as well as a $2000 cash prize from the Foundation, and post-punk outfit Pinch Points were awarded Best Breakthrough Act, along with a $1000 credit for custom made merch from Australia’s leading merch company Sound Merch. Three-time previous Awards nominee Lloyd Spiegel took home Best Blues Album for his album Cut and Run, and previous two-time Award nominees Robin Fox and Birdz were named this year’s Best Experimental or Avant-garde Act and Best Hip Hop Act respectively.
Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife won Best Country Album for their album You Be The Lightning, four years on from taking out the same title for their previous LP Thieves, and previous Best Global or Reggae Album winners Black Jesus Experience were announced as this year’s Best Intercultural Act. The Best Regional/Outer Suburban Act with a cash prize of $3000 from Bendigo Bank, this year went to everyone's favourite siblings The Teskey Brothers, who are still based in Warrandyte.
Inaugural Awards entrants, Fiona Ross & Shane O'Mara, Sleep D, Diploid, Vanessa Perica Orchestra and Dub FX were each crowned first-time winners of their respective categories, with cathartic punk trio Cable Ties claiming their debut Music Victoria Award win for Best Rock/Punk Album for their 2020 record Far Enough after four years and eight nominations across almost every eligible category including Best Album, Best Live Act, Best Band, Best Song, and Best Emerging Act.
Music Victoria would also like to thank all their very generous partners for all of their contributions this year, plus each of the nominees of Best Song and Best Album were also awarded the opportunity for a paid and professionally filmed livestream event, thanks to funding from the Victorian Government’s Victoria Together Program.
The evening also saw Australian music icon Paul Kelly induct the late, great Chris Wilson into the Music Victoria Hall Of Fame, presenting a touching speech and inviting Chris’ wife Sarah Carroll and sons Fenn Wilson and George Carroll Wilson to the stage to accept the induction. Kim Salmon and Jo Roberts presented fellow Hall of Fame Inductee Mary Mihelakos with her official induction to celebrate her extensive and prolific industry career. Music Victoria’s outgoing CEO Patrick Donovan was also acknowledged for his work growing the Awards over 16 years and for his achievements at the helm of the organisation.
A testament to the strength of the Victorian music community, Music Victoria would like to thank Major Partners Bendigo Bank, City of Melbourne, Creative Victoria and Melbourne Recital Centre in their ongoing support of the Music Victoria Awards and send a big thank you to everyone who voted or tuned in to the 2020 Awards and to all those who continue to support and champion local musicians, venues festivals and industry. Here’s to the next 12 months of world class Victorian music!
Watch back the awards:
THE 2020 MUSIC VICTORIA AWARD WINNERS:
PUBLIC-VOTED WINNERS
Best Album
Sampa The Great – The Return
Best Band (Prize $2000 voucher from Yamaha)
Amyl and The Sniffers
Best Song (Prize $3000 cash from APRA AMCOS)
Sampa The Great – OMG
Best Solo Artist (Prize $1000 voucher from Yamaha)
Sampa The Great
Best Musician (Prize $1000 voucher from Yamaha)
Amy Taylor (Amyl and The Sniffers)
Best Breakthrough Act (Prize $1000 in merch from Sound Merch + Bakehouse Rehearsal Package)
Pinch Points
Best Live Act
Amyl and The Sniffers
INDUSTRY-VOTED WINNERS
Best Regional/Outer Suburban Act (Prize $3000 cash from Bendigo Bank)
The Teskey Brothers (Warrandyte)
Archie Roach Foundation Award for Emerging Talent (Prize $2000 cash from Archie Roach Foundation + Bakehouse Rehearsal Package)
Kee’ahn
Best Blues Album
*Lloyd Spiegel – Cut and Run
Best Country Album
Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife – You Be The Lightning
Best Electronic Act
Sleep D
Best Experimental or Avant-garde Act
Robin Fox
Best Folk Album
Fiona Ross & Shane O'Mara – Sunwise Turn
Best Heavy Album
Diploid – Glorify
Best Hip Hop Act
Birdz
Best Intercultural Act
Black Jesus Experience
Best Jazz Album
Vanessa Perica Orchestra – Love is a Temporary Madness
Best Reggae and Dancehall Act
Dub FX
Best Rock/Punk Album
Cable Ties – Far Enough
Best Soul, Funk, Gospel or RnB Album
Sampa The Great – The Return
INDUSTRY AWARDS WINNERS
Best Small Venue (under 500 capacity) (Prize: Branded tinnies from Brick Lane Brewing Co.)
The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood
Best Large Venue (over 500 capacity) (Prize: Branded tinnies from Brick Lane Brewing Co.)
Forum Melbourne
Best Festival (Prize: 3 year subscription to loadin.com)
Golden Plains
Best Regional/Outer Suburban Venue (Over 50 gigs per year) (Prize $3000 cash from Bendigo Bank)
Barwon Club Hotel – Geelong
Best Regional/Outer Suburban Venue (Under 50 gigs per year) (Prize $3000 cash from Bendigo Bank)
*Theatre Royal – Castlemaine
Outstanding Woman In Music
Sarah Hamilton (One Of One)
Best Producer
Joelistics: Mo’Ju & Joelistics Ghost Town EP
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Mary Mihelakos (industry)
Chris Wilson (musician)
*Music Victoria ex-Board Member Tim Heath is a co-owner of Regional Venue winner Theatre Royal.
* Best Blues Album winner Lloyd Spiegel is a member of the Music Victoria Artist Advisory Panel. These Awards are industry-voted by independent panels, and nominees and winners are not involved in the voting process
Photography by Martin Philbey
This week, Wed Dec 9 at 7PM - the Music Victoria Awards!
The 16th annual Music Victoria Awards will be a live-streamed event, forming part of the Melbourne Music Week opening night program.
Announcing: beloved singer songwriter Alice Skye, dreamy Melbourne musician Elizabeth, acclaimed indie rock five-piece Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever and the incredible synth-pop icon Simona Castricum. These artists will perform live from the Melbourne Recital Centre on Wednesday 9 December, to an intimate live audience of music industry professionals, and broadcast live to the public throughout Australia and the world.
Awards Partners Channel 31 who will be broadcasting the event live on Australian TV and streaming worldwide via Music Victoria’s Youtube Channel. Industry supporters, Auslan Stage Left will be interpreting the event for our deaf community, and JMC Academy will provide students with access to valuable hands-on experience in event production, video editing, online content management and more, thanks to a brand new Education Partnership with the educational institution.
Co-presented by PBS 106.7FM and RRR 102.7FM, the annual Victorian music community love-in celebrates the best music of the year across 20 categories.
5.30pm Before the Awards - MMW Wominjeka live stream
Wominjeka! After a tumultuous year, MMW–Extended kicks off with a specially curated evening across four Melbourne locations by Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal, Zenadth Kes song woman, Kee’ahn. Join us live and online as we pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land we live, meet and create on, and capture this auspicious beginning of MMW–Extended by drone over the city.
A Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony will be presented by the Wurundjeri Corporation and take place at Melbourne Recital Centre, followed by music by dj pgz
This event will be available to enjoy in-person or via the live stream, shared here from 5.30pm on Wed 9 Dec.
7.00pm - 9.00pm - Music Victoria Awards
Melbourne Recital Centre (Elisabeth Murdoch Hall – Invite-only)
Performing live: Alice Skye, Elizabeth, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Simona Castricum
Members of the public can tune in to watch the event live-streamed as it happens right here or on Channel 31
Subscribe to get a youtube reminder here
PUBLIC-VOTED NOMINEES
Best Album
Cable Ties – Far Enough
Elizabeth – the wonderful world of nature
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever – Sideways to New Italy
RVG – Feral
Sampa The Great – The Return
Best Band
Amyl and The Sniffers
Cable Ties
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever
RVG
Best Song
Baker Boy – Move
Leah Senior – Evergreen
Mildlife – Rare Air
RVG – I Used To Love You
Sampa The Great – OMG
Best Solo Artist
Angie McMahon
Baker Boy
Briggs
Courtney Barnett
Elizabeth
Gordon Koang
Leah Senior
Sampa The Great
Simona Castricum
Sui Zhen
Best Musician
Amy Taylor (Amyl and The Sniffers)
Erica Dunn (Tropical Fuck Storm, Palm Springs, MOD CON)
Gareth Liddiard (Tropical Fuck Storm)
Gordon Koang
Jen Cloher (Dyson Stringer Cloher)
Romy Vager (RVG)
Sampa Tembo (Sampa The Great)
SilentJay (Sampa The Great, Mandarin Dreams)
Stu Mackenzie (King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard)
Tom Iansek (Big Scary, #1 Dads)
Best Breakthrough Act
Alice Skye
Elizabeth
Grace Cummings
Nat Vazer
Pinch Points
Best Live Act
Amyl and The Sniffers
Cable Ties
Gordon Koang
Sampa The Great
The Teskey Brothers
INDUSTRY-VOTED NOMINEES
Best Regional/Outer Suburban Act
Benny Walker (Echuca)
Bones and Jones (Geelong)
Freya Josephine Hollick (Ballarat)
The Kite Machine (Geelong West)
The Teskey Brothers (Warrandyte)
Archie Roach Foundation Award for Emerging Talent
Alice Skye
Allara
Kee’ahn
The Merindas
River Boy
Best Blues Album
Aaron Pollock – Separated Through Time
Charlie Bedford – Good to Go
Joey Vincent’s Bakelite Radio – Rosary of Tears
*Lloyd Spiegel – Cut and Run
The Teskey Brothers – Live at The Forum
Best Country Album
The Cartwheels – Self-titled
Lost Ragas – This Is Not A Dream
Michael Waugh – The Weir
Mitch Dean – Holding Back the Levee
Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife – You Be The Lightning
Best Electronic Act
*DRMNGNOW
OK EG
Pugilist
Simona Castricum
Sleep D
Best Experimental or Avant-garde Act
Bridget Chappell
James Rushford
Maria Moles
Natasha Anderson
Robin Fox
Best Folk Album
Charm of Finches – Your Company
Fiona Ross & Shane O’Mara – Sunwise Turn
Liz Frencham – Love and Other Crimes
Louisa Wise – All of These Things
Ruth Hazleton – Daisywheel
Best Heavy Album
Carcinoid – Metastatic Declination
Dead – Raving Drooling
Diploid – Glorify
Internal Rot – Grieving Birth
Sithlord – From Out of the Darkness
Best Hip Hop Act
Birdz
DRMNGNOW
Jordan Dennis
Nomad
Sampa The Great
Best Intercultural Act
Amaru Tribe
Black Jesus Experience
Gelareh Pour’s Garden
No Borders Music
Sampa The Great
Best Jazz Album
Andrea Keller – Life Is Brut[if]al
Horns of Leroy – Big Night
JK Group – The Young Ones
Vanessa Perica Orchestra – Love is a Temporary Madness
ZEDSIX – The Shape Of Jazz
Best Reggae and Dancehall Act
Dub FX
Jah Tung
Marvin Priest
Monkey Marc
The Push Reggae Band
Best Rock/Punk Album
Cable Ties – Far Enough
Nuada – Beneath the Swamp
Pseudo Mind Hive – Of Seers and Sirens
RVG – Feral
Shepparton Airplane – Sharks
Best Soul, Funk, Gospel or RnB Album
Karate Boogaloo – Carn The Boogers
Sampa The Great – The Return
Surprise Chef – All News Is Good News
The Teskey Brothers – Live at The Forum
Various Artists – Over Under Away Volume 1: 10 Years of Hopestreet Recordings
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
TO BE INDUCTED AT THE MUSIC VICTORIA AWARDS
Mary Mihelakos (industry)
Chris Wilson (musician)
2020 MUSIC VICTORIA INDUSTRY AWARDS WINNERS
Best Small Venue (under 500 capacity) – The Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood
Best Large Venue (over 500 capacity) – Forum Melbourne
Best Festival – Golden Plains
Best Regional/Outer Suburban Venue (Over 50 gigs per year) – Barwon Club Hotel – Geelong
Best Regional/Outer Suburban Venue (Under 50 gigs per year) – *Theatre Royal – Castlemaine
Outstanding Woman In Music – Sarah Hamilton (One Of One)
Best Producer – Joelistics: Mo’Ju & Joelistics Ghost Town EP
Music Victoria thanks Major Partners Bendigo Bank, City of Melbourne, Creative Victoria and Melbourne Recital Centre for their ongoing support of the Music Victoria Awards.
*Music Victoria Board Member Tim Heath is a co-owner of Regional Venue winner Theatre Royal. *VMDO/Songlines staff member Neil Morris is nominated for his work under the performing name DRMNGNOW. Music Victoria Artist Advisory Panel member Lloyd Spiegel is nominated in the Best Blues Album category. These Awards are industry-voted by independent panels, and nominees are not involved in the voting process.
UPDATED FEBRUARY 3, 2021
Here's an overview of what the COVIDSafe Summer Restrictions step means for the Victorian cultural sector. For further information please see the Arts and Entertainment Services Sector Guidance from the Victorian Government.
For updated information regarding face masks, click here.
To save you time we've summarised how the new restrictions relate to music:
Audiences
Musicians
Live Music Venues (e.g. pubs/clubs/hospitality)
*density quotients should be calculated per room
Indoor Seated Venues (e.g. theatres/music halls)
Outdoor Venues (e.g. amphitheatres)
Rehearsal and Recording Studios
Festival and Events
For sector guidance for arts and entertainment services businesses within Victoria, click here.
Full Summary of COVIDSafe Summer restrictions from 11:59pm 6 December 2020
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us on info@musicvictoria.com.au
See the full statement from the premier below which was delivered on December 6:
2020 has seen us embrace a new vocabulary.
We’ve become experts on “Reff rates” and “roadmaps” – on following the rules and sticking to restrictions.
Week after week, change and change – we adapted, and readapted. But we did it, because it meant keeping our state safe.
Until we have a vaccine – and even then, until we have a widely distributed vaccine – some aspects of these rules and restrictions must continue to be part of our reality.
At the same time, and because of the efforts of every Victorian, we’re able to end this year with far fewer limits on what we can and can’t do.
Our new “COVIDSafe Summer” will be in place until at least the end of January, giving Victorians a bit more certainty about what the next couple of months will look like.
These are the restrictions that will see us through the summer months – and living as normally as we can until we get a greater sense of what the rest of 2021 will look like.
Under the changes, and from tonight at 11:59pm, masks will only be required in a limited number of places: on public transport, in rideshare vehicles and taxis, in some retail settings including indoor shopping centres, supermarkets, department stores and indoor markets.
While masks are no longer mandated in most circumstances, the evidence is clear, wearing a face-covering makes a real difference in slowing the spread of the virus – so masks continue to be recommended indoors or outdoors when distancing can’t be maintained.
As has been previously announced, Victorians will be able to host up to 30 people in their home. Outdoor gatherings in public places – the beach, the park – can increase to 100.
Density limits in our pubs, restaurants and cafes will shift to 1 person per 2sq metres for both indoors and outdoors with no other cap. The use of electronic record keeping – a QR code – will be mandatory.
And for small operations, there’ll be no density limits if the patron number is under 25.
For retail and beauty services, businesses will be able to move to 1 person per 2sq metres – if they also introduce electronic record keeping. For businesses where that’s just not possible, the existing density limits will continue to apply.
The cap for funerals and weddings will also be removed, subject to a new density limit of 1 person per 2sq metres. For those who want to dance on their special day – or maybe even the Nutbush – dancefloors will be able to host up to 50 people, with a density of 1 person per 4sqm.
The same rules will apply to nightclubs. But remember, the health advice still stands: no hugs, no handshakes and if you’re feeling sick, you need to get tested and stay home.
The same new density limits will apply for community facilities, like our libraries, RSLs, and community halls.
In gyms, the density limit will move to 1 per 4sq metres – with exercise classes limited to 50 indoors and 100 outdoors.
And more relaxed restrictions for our entertainment venues will see more Victorians enjoying everything that makes us the cultural capital of Australia.
For those sick of only seeing their colleagues in a square on the screen, we’ll be able to move to a 50 per cent return for office workers by 11 January, after considering the public health advice at the time. For the Victorian public service, up to 25 per cent will be able to return to the office from 11 January, moving up to 50 per cent on 8 February.
Details of further changes will be made available online.
As always, this won’t be everything for everyone. But these are the careful steps we can take as we continue to protect our state and everything we’re built.
Victoria, enjoy your summer.
You’ve earned it.
On Tuesday 1 December 2020, the Music Victoria members elected two board directors at its Annual General Meeting: Sally Mather and Fiona Duncan
Shortly after the AGM the new board co-opted Catherine Haridy and Matthew Kennedy to the board for another 1 year term, while Kerry Kennell was appointed for a 3 year term. They will join Sally Howland, Dean Hampson, Chris O’Neill, Heidi Braithwaite and Chelsea Wilson. Please see full board details here.
The officer positions were unanimously appointed: Ms Howland as Chair, Mr O’Neill as Deputy Chair, Mr Hampson as Treasurer and Ms Kennell as Secretary.
We thank outgoing board members, Tim Heath and Melinda Dine, for their dedication to the organisation and their huge contribution to the board.
Elected at the 2020 AGM:
Sally Mather
Sally Mather has worked in music venues for over 15 years across all facets of the business. In her current role at Marriner Group, she manages programming and commercial partnerships for Forum Melbourne. During her previous 10 years with the Corner Group, Sally oversaw the music & marketing operations of the group, including booking, marketing, ticketing and logistics for Corner Hotel, Northcote Social Club and The National Richmond. Sally is passionate about making live music accessible to all and has been involved in driving a number of initiatives & projects focused on improving safer spaces, accessibility and diversity in live music venues, as well as creating networking and mentoring opportunities for women in music.
Fiona Duncan
With over 30 years’ experience across artist management, event and tour management, publicity and industry advisory roles, Fiona has a deep understanding of the musician’s perspective, alongside proven abilities in strategic management, financial management, advocacy, governance and policy.
From her very first roles in radio and publicity, she knew the Australian music industry would be a lifelong passion. As one of the longest serving female music managers in this country, working with some of Australia’s biggest and most influential performers paved the way for a diverse and challenging career; the highlight being management of Spiderbait from emerging artists to one of Australia’s most successful and enduring rock bands with a number one record, hottest 100 no 1 spot, multiple ARIAs, multi-platinum albums and sold-out tours.
Now living and working regionally, Fiona has a new understanding of the needs of the regional music industry and contributes to several working groups and initiatives such as a member of Music Victoria’s Women’s Advisory Panel, member of the Music Victoria Regional Working Group, the State Government Live Music Roundtable, a member of the Festivals Sub-Committee, and a member of the reference group for the Cultivate Program.
Appointed after the 2020 AGM:
Kerry Kennell
Kerry Kennell, a proud Torres Strait islander woman from the eastern islands Ugar and Erub, launched into the Victorian music scene in late 2018 managing the band Key Hoo. Kerry went from zero to one hundred in the industry, and quickly became known as an influencer and mentor to new and emerging artists.
Originally from Queensland, Kerry brings over 15 years of experience as a business owner and lawyer, having worked in private practice, legal aid, and all levels of government. Kerry’s entrepreneurial spirit saw her branch out on her own in early 2019, and she is now consulting to small business and not-for-profit organisations, where she mentors and empowers First Nations business owners, entrepreneurs, and creatives.
Holding Bachelor of Laws from Griffith University, Kerry brings experience from government, law, construction, and music. Kerry specialises in the areas of business management, strategic planning, and working with First Nations creatives, which will enable her to make a positive and meaningful impact with Music Victoria.
Catherine Haridy
Catherine Haridy has been managing musical Artists and Producers, Mixers, Writers, Engineers and even a Music Philosopher for the last 12 years. Coming from a record label background, Cath cut her teeth at both Warner Music and Festival Mushroom Records in A&R before crossing the floor to Management in 2006. Her stable includes a roster of talented and enduring Artists including Eskimo Joe, Jebediah, Adalita, Bob Evans and ABC TV family artist dirtgirl along with some of the brightest in Music Production and Writing: Anna Laverty, Tony Buchen Steven Schram, Joel Quartermain, JP Fung, Jimi Maroudas as well as Mick Glossop (ANZ only) and Ian Caple (ANZ only). The management company has expanded into managing non-musical artists forging a wonderful partnership with Berlin-based Australian, Craig Schuftan, who has had three works published, won an ARIA for his work with The Chaser and broadcast the successful “Culture Club” on national youth network Triple J.
Catherine is a former board member of Support Act Limited (SAL): a charity supporting musicians and music professionals who experience crisis or hardship. She was Chairperson of the Association of Artist Managers (AAM) for 4 consecutive years, and remains a current board member, is an APRA Ambassador, an AMP Award Patron and formerly involved for 7 years with the board and several sub-committees of the Community Broadcasting Foundation (CBF). Cath continues to be involved in various advocacy issues that affect artists and their managers, and is a proud Patron of the AAM!
Matthew Kennedy
Matthew Kennedy has worked within not-for-profit business management and development, across all of local, state, national and international levels, for nearly 25 years. Since 2011, Matthew has been the Chief Executive Officer of Tennis Victoria, a $5-6million umbrella body which has over 40 staff and about 900 member clubs, centres and associations. TV’s registered participants have grown from 90,390 to over 270,000 in this period. Matthew previously worked for the International Cricket Council for a decade and was its Global Development Manager, first based out of London and then later Dubai, responsible for overseeing an annual budget of $30million to best support the ICC’s 94 non-Test cricket nations. In doing so, he worked with – and learnt from – a very diverse range of governments/departments and sporting bodies.
Matthew began his career in 1993 at the Victorian Cricket Association, finishing seven years there as its Community Cricket Manager. He has been a Co-opted Director on the Music Victoria Board for the past two years, hoping that his acquired skills and experiences in governance, strategic planning, organisational leadership and growth, and stakeholder relations, have contributed positively in that time. Under its new structure, Matthew presently sits on the MV Operations sub-committee. He previously served on MV’s Business and Strategic Planning sub-committee, Finance sub-committee, Women’s Affairs sub-committee, and HR/Employee sub-committee. Matthew has a Bachelor of Business in Sports Management (Deakin University 1992) and a Graduate Diploma in Sports Law (Melbourne University 2008). He recently sat the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course and is due to complete the assessment tasks shortly.
For inquiries, please contact Music Victoria Acting CEO Dale Packard
9686 3411 / info@musicvictoria.com.au
By Susan Scollon - Insurance broker at PNOinsurance
When the Victorian Government closed venues as part of Covid-19 minimisation measures, many venue operators assumed that their business interruption insurance would cover their losses. To be informed by their brokers that pandemics were not covered and losses would be their own responsibility, crushed any hope of light at the end of the tunnel.
Insurers caught off guard
Insurers never intended to provide cover for a global infectious disease. From a commercial perspective, covering losses for such an unpredictable, widespread event is not financially viable. Terrorism risk is similarly assessed as so unpredictable and potentially financially catastrophic that the mechanism to fund recovery from such an event is not via insurance companies, but via government through levies.
Insurers are constantly updating their policy wordings in response to loss trends and changes in legislation. Many have not been so adept in updating their infectious disease exclusion, given the last truly global pandemic (the Spanish Flu) was 100 years’ ago. Now it appears a large number of them have been caught off guard, failing to update their policy wording to reflect current legislation.
Insurers look to exclude cover for global pandemics by reference to diseases declared
A recent Australian test case addressing business interruption due to the pandemic has ruled in favour of the insured, meaning that many businesses can potentially claim for losses suffered due to Covid-19 closures and restrictions.
In essence, the NSW Supreme Court addressed a specific issue on whether insurers could rely on their policy exclusions that reference the now defunct Quarantine Act 1908, which was replaced in 2016 by the Biosecurity Act. The judges unanimously found against insurers and held that Covid-19 is not a disease ‘declared to be a quarantinable disease under the Quarantine Act 1908 and subsequent amendments’ and as such, were not excluded from the disease benefit clauses.
What does this mean for venue operators?
This result is not a blanket confirmation that all claims for business interruption losses will now be covered. It relates only to policies that look to exclude cover by specific referencing of the Quarantine Act of 1908 and subsequent amendments. We estimate up to 50% of commercial policy reference the obsolete Quarantine Act.
The outcome will have a very significant impact on insurers large and small with one major Australian insurer, IAG raising new capital on the ASX as a direct consequence of this decision. Whilst insurers have the right to appeal this decision, we expect there will be further cases addressing other aspects of business interruption cover arising from COVID-19 and that in the long term, the claims paid by insurance companies will ultimately be reflected in the future premiums of policyholders.
Next steps
Your insurance broker should have engaged with you following this significant test case as most live music venues do have business interruption cover. Your broker will be able to advise you on your specific policy coverage and then the appropriate course of action with regard to lodging claims. In what has been a very bleak year for the industry, there may, at last, be a silver lining.
Susan Scollon is an insurance broker at PNOinsurance who specialises in protecting hospitality businesses. For further information or advice, please contact Susan at sscollon@pno.com.au or 0408 720 569.
As a proud supporter of the Australian music industry, Virgin Australia are pleased to announce that they will be reintroducing the complimentary Musicians baggage allowance from Monday, November 30.
Artists can now access 3 pieces of checked luggage at 23kg per piece when travelling domestically within Australia.
Along with baggage allowances for music professionals, Music Victoria offer a variety of various discounts for our members. Click here to view all of our various discounts on offer.
For details on how to claim this discount along with all others that we have on offer, log into your Music Victoria account here. To sign up as a Music Victoria member, click here.
This week, the J-Award-winning instagram music festival Isol-Aid is rolling out the red carpet to highlight some of Victoria’s finest musicians as it partners with the MUSIC VICTORIA AWARDS to present a lineup jam packed with nominees. The awards celebrate the vast achievements of Victoria’s music community over the last year, recognising that despite live music coming to a standstill, there have still been huge achievements by the Victorian music community.
Featuring (in alphabetical order)
BENNY WALKER, CHARM OF FINCHES, GELAREH POUR, JORDAN DENNIS, KARATE BOOGALOO, KEE’AHN, THE KITE MACHINE, MARIA MOLES, NAT VAZER, SIMONA CASTRICUM
The celebrations kick off with MARIA MOLES exploring the use of layered sounds and rhythms played on either a drum kit or percussion, electronically manipulated through the use of filters and pitch modulators. KEE’AHN is a proud Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal, Zenadh Kes song woman weaving lush melodies and words reminiscent of heartbreak and healing.
NAT VAZER is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist crafting songs inspired by late night walks, foreign cities, long drives to unknown destinations and a collection of emotions, experiences and significant stories from over time. Geelong based prog-inflected rock band THE KITE MACHINE are bringing their signature tight jams, wry witticisms and manic riffs to the Isol-Aid #36 lineup.
Iranian born, Persian Kamancheh and Qeychak player, singer and songwriter GELAREH POUR creates music across a variety of scenes including, improvised, experimental, cross-cultural, classical and electronic. BENNY WALKER, a Yorta Yorta man from Echuca, is the real deal and a true star in the making. Mixing love songs and epic tales with passion for the land, the people, summer vibes and deep grooves that reach the soul.
Making up the rhythm section of long-time Melbourne soul favourites The Cactus Channel, KARATE BOOGALOO reminds us of the beauty of colouring outside the lines with their unconventional funk guided by a steadfast commitment to bending the rules. SIMONA CASTRICUM is a musician, DJ and producer, traversing queer club and live music landscapes, and reimagining the singing drummer, Simona connects profoundly with audiences through intimate synth-pop and stadium techno.
Boasting a flow beyond his years and an on-stage energy that’s proven time and again to blow minds, JORDAN DENNIS made a name for himself as the front-man for Billy Davis, and the whip-smart MC has continued to evolve in his expression with a fierce lyrical aptitude on display. The celebration winds up with Melbourne's sister duo, CHARM OF FINCHES, aka Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes, whose haunting folk tunes about heartbreak, solitude and whispering trees are laced with their own kind of dreamy harmonies.
While this beloved festival is free to watch, we ask online attendees to help support the artists if you can. 100% of whatever you donate will go directly to the Music Victoria Award-nominated artists and their teams.
As you know, the loss of touring and live performance income has caused financial strain and even strife for many in our music community. Throwing in even what you’d normally pay for a beer or two at the show will make a huge difference to these acts. And we’ll be eternally grateful, too!
You can look good and feel amazing. Artist donations, merch and feel good vibes from isolaidfestival.com
Tune in this Saturday November 28 via Instagram live from 2.15pm:
| Time | Programming | Handle |
| 2.15 PM | Isol-Aid Welcome | @isolaidfestival |
| 2:20 PM | Maria Moles | @marianancy |
| 2:40 PM | Kee'Ahn | @kee.ahn |
| 3:00 PM | Nat Vazer | @nat_vazer |
| 3:20 PM | The Kite Machine | @thekitemachine |
| 3:40 PM | Gelareh Pour | @gelarehpourmusic |
| 4:00 PM | Benny Walker | @benny_walker |
| 4:20 PM | Karate Boogaloo | @karateboogaloo |
| 4:40 PM | Simona Castricum | @simonacastricum |
| 5:00 PM | Jordan Dennis | @jordanbdennis |
| 5:20 PM | Charm of Finches | @charmoffinchesband |
Learn more about Isol-Aid festival and best ways to watch the festival here, and listen to the artists ahead of the show here:
On Sunday 22 November, Victoria entered into it's Last Step in the Roadmap for reopening. Here's a brief overview of what this step means for the Victorian music sector (Click here for a comprehensive list of current restrictions for the entertainment and culture sector):
Audiences
Musicians
Live Music Venues (e.g. pubs/clubs/hospitality)
The total of indoor and outdoor can’t exceed 300pp and the 200m2 is based on the publicly available space
Indoor Venues (e.g. theatres/music halls)
Outdoor Venues
Rehearsal and Recording Studios
Festival and Events
Full Summary of Last Step restrictions from 11.59pm 22 November 2020 (PDF)
See the full statement from the premier below which was delivered on November 22:
Three months ago, Victoria had 4293 active cases. Today we have one.
It’s an incredible achievement. And the clearest evidence there is of our determination to not only get on top of this virus – but to squash it.
Back then, the goal – the hope – was something a little more ‘normal’ for Christmas.
Today, because of the efforts of every Victorian, that’s exactly what we’ve been able to achieve.
For those keen to get on and plan how many seats there’ll be around the table, I won’t waste another second.
Today we can confirm you’ll be able to host up to 30 people in your home for Christmas Day. Babies under 12 months won’t count towards the cap.
This change will come into effect from 11.59pm, 13 December, just in time for catch-ups, and Christmas barbies – and for our Jewish communities, the closing days of Hanukkah.
We’re also able to confirm some more immediate changes.
From 11:59pm tonight, the number of visitors to your home will increase from two to 15 per day.
That can be split across different times – ten for lunch, and five for dinner – as long as people are sticking to a total of 15.
Outdoor gatherings in a public place – the park, the beach – will increase to 50.
For those couples who’ve had to delay their special day, weddings will increase to 150 people. The same number will apply to funerals and religious ceremonies indoors.
There’ll be changes for our hospitality sector too.
For smaller venues, the density limit will change to one person for every two square metres – up to 50 customers. QR code record keeping will be mandatory. For bigger venues, the density limit will stay the same, but the cap will increase to 150. Total venue capacity will also rise to 300.
Cinemas, galleries and museums will also be able to host up to 150 people indoors.
And in good news for community clubs, contact and non-contact sports can begin for adults as well as kids – 150 people indoors with a group size of up to 20 and 500 outdoors with groups of up to 50.
Organisers will also be able to apply to host a public event. Different requirements and rules will need to apply, depending on whether it’s a school fete or a major sporting match.
We’re also able to begin a phased approach for staff heading back to the office. From 30 November, up to 25 per cent of workers will be able to attend onsite.
I want to be clear though – unless you’re one of those people nominated by your employer – you need to keep working from home.
We're also making some changes to the rules around masks.
In short, you’ll still need to wear one when you’re indoors and on public transport – and where you can’t keep your distance.
But if you’re outdoors and you can keep a safe distance, masks will no longer be mandatory.
For example, you’ll still need to keep your mask on if you’re at a busy outdoor market – or in line for a snag at your local Bunnings.
If you’re headed for a quiet stroll around the neighbourhood, you won’t need to wear a mask – but you will need to carry one, in case the situation changes.
I know for some people, they’ll think this is too slow and still too restrictive.
But the point is, masks are a small sacrifice that help keep all of us safe.
And as we’ve been reminded so recently, all it takes is one case before you’ve got a much bigger outbreak.
We’ll have more to say about what a “COVIDSafe Summer” will look like in the next few weeks – and in line with what our public health experts are telling us is safe.
For now, though, I want to thank Victorians.
Getting here was by no means guaranteed. But we did it. You did it.
It’s been a long, hard winter.
Now, it’s time to enjoy the sun.
--The Hon Daniel Andrews MP, Premier