Tears, tributes at historic awards

SOME of the Australian music industry's most influential and inspirational women were honoured at the Brisbane Powerhouse last night at the inaugural Australian Women in Music Awards.

"Tonight, for the first time in Australian music history, women will go home with all the awards," Katie Noonan, who co-hosted the awards with Christine Anu, said.

Gold Coast singer-songwriter Amy Shark took out one of the night's big awards, tying with Melbourne band Camp Cope for the international breakthrough award.

North Queensland-born, Melbourne-based indigenous musician Jessie Lloyd also got a gong, winning the diversity award for her Mission Songs Project.

Kate Ceberano and Deborah Conway at the inaugural Australian Women in Music Awards. Picture: AAP/Josh Woning

Lifetime achievement awards were presented to three iconic artists - soul singer Renee Geyer, folk activist Margret Roadknight and '60s surf-rock icon, Patricia "Little Pattie" Amphlett.

Amphlett also paid tribute to her late cousin, Divinyls singer Chrissy Amphlett, who was named one of the AWMA posthumous patrons, alongside Ruby Hunter.

"Rest in peace, Chrissy, we'll make sure your legacy lasts forever," Patricia Amphlett said, before Adalita Srsen of Magic Dirt played a stunning solo rendition of Divinyls' Pleasure and Pain.

Iconic Melbourne-born singer-songwriter Helen Reddy, best known for her 1971 Grammy-winning anthem I Am Woman, also became the first person to be inducted to the AWMA Honour Roll.

Reddy's daughter Traci Wald Donat delivered a tearful, pre-recorded acceptance speech, before Kate Ceberano, Katie Noonan, Sophie Koh and Zoe Hauptmann joined forces for a superbly executed jazz arrangement of the iconic song.

Awards were presented across 15 categories last night, including excellence in artistry, songwriting, technical and production skills, cross-cultural development, music education, music photography, music leadership and humanitarian work.

The awards' founding director and executive producer Vicki Gordon said "women have always done extraordinary work … it's just that many women have not been recognised for their contribution".

"Without the AWMAs, everything remains the same pretty much, which means women are working and working without being acknowledged for their contributions and that's why we wanted to do it," she said.

Winners

APRA AMCOS Songwriter Award - Gordi

SHEBAH Music Leadership Award - Jen Cloher

Diversity in Music Award - Jessie Lloyd Mission Songs Project

Studio Production Award - Anna Laverty

Music Photography Award - Wendy McDougall

Posthumous Patron - Chrissy Amphlett

Creative Leadership Award - Zoe Hauptman

International Breakthrough Artist Award - Amy Shark and Camp Cope

Artistic Excellence Award - Ngaiire

Filmmaker Award - Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore (Her Sound Her Story)

Live Production Award - Robyn Jelleff