AUSTRALIAN WOMEN IN MUSIC

Last night I was honoured to accompany my good friend and incredible photographer Brittany Long at the 2024 AUSTRALIAN WOMEN IN MUSIC Awards after she was named as a finalist for Australian Music Photographer of the year. Brittany has beaten the odds with a medical condition that limits movement in her legs confining her to a wheelchair for much of her day. She not only produces incredible work but she is a strong advocate for improved accessibility at gigs, events and festivals. Last night she "walked" the black carpet for the first time, demonstrating her resilience, tenacity and courage to not only follow her dreams but be recognised for her amazing portfolio of work! Brittany you are an inspiration and an incredible artist. Congratulations on all you have achieved. It was an honour to be by your side last night. #awma #inspirationalwomen

Did you know that Mozart had an older sister? She was a musician who wowed audiences across Paris, London, Munich and Vienna. Maria Anna was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s role model, but many people only know of him. We’ll never know if she could have reached the same level of stardom as her brother, as her days on tour were cut short by her father at 18 when she became eligible to marry. But we can appreciate her talent and apprenticeship whenever we hear any of Mozart’s compositions. 🎹🎵

This Muslim heavy metal band has stones thrown at them... but it only made them want to rock harder. Meet Voice of Baceprot, a band originally from a small farming town in Indonesia that’s hell-bent on shattering the genre’s masculine image and misconceptions about Islam. This week they will become the first Indonesian band to play at the UK’s Glastonbury music festival, alongside the likes of Coldplay, Dua Lipa, and Cyndi Lauper.  Read more ➡️ https://ab.co/4ckRzbF Stay in the know with the ABC NEWS App ➡️ https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

The 131 year wait for gender equality is now a 134 years, according to today's WEF update. Progress has slowed, again. A few key things: 🥇 Iceland continues to lead the Index, followed by Finland, Norway, New Zealand and Sweden ⬆ Australia is now ranked 24th on the country index for global equality up from 26th in 2023 🔽 Australia is ranked 42 for Economic Participation and Opportunity, down four spots from 38th in 2023 🔽 No country has yet achieved full gender parity The World Economic Forum's annual report is a reminder that you don't actually "wait" for global gender equality; it requires meaningful action that takes account of progress disruptions like pandemics, climate change, conflict and labour market shifts.

Congratulations to Vicki Gordon and thank you to Lars Brandle for this great article highlighting Vicki's lifelong advocacy work. https://lnkd.in/gJ5PCi6H

I had an energising 2 days of meetings with the Creative Workplaces Council and team last week. We are rapidly identifying the best ways to make work in the creative sector safe, fair and respectful. We loved our tour and explanation about Bangarra Dance Theatre with co-CEOs Frances Rings and Louise Ingram and we were inspired by the work of AUSTRALIAN WOMEN IN MUSIC demanding progress towards gender equality in music. Was great to see Minister Burke’s speech in parliament on the Australia success at the Venice Biennale. And 👏👏 Creative Australia staff stepped up with the challenge of crowding into a selfie with the Council. Adrian Collette Kate Schaffner Monique Williams Natasha de Silva Nicola Grayson Sophie B. Tina Lavranos Michel Maree Hryce Simon Abrahams Ruth Hazleton