Yorta Yorta woman Deborah Cheetham AO said receiving the most prestigious accolade at the Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) on Wednesday night only motivates her to do more.
The soprano, composer and educator was recognised for her outstanding contribution to the Australian arts landscape, winning the Lifetime Achievement Award.
“I'm not done yet - I'm not finished with the contribution I want to make to the lives of our next generation of performers,” she said.
“I couldn't be at the awards ceremony on Wednesday night, but I have a really good reason. I'm down here on Wadawurrung country celebrating the next generation of musicians as part of the Short Black Opera for Kids program.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk accepts award on behalf of Deborah Cheetham AO. Source: Embellysh
“I really wish I could have been there on the red carpet with everybody but when I was thinking about where I needed to be, I really needed to be down here on country and with these children - it's been such an enriching experience, I have to say.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who accepted the award on Ms Cheetham’s behalf, acknowledged the contribution of all First Nations artists in the music industry.
“Not only has this event celebrated the most innovative, hardworking and influential women in Australian music, it’s been an opportunity to further amplify the voices of First Nations women, who have historically been undervalued and under-represented,” she said on stage at the AWMA.
“I congratulate all of this year’s winners and honorees, and thank AWMA for promoting gender equality and diversity, fostering female talent, and hosting the country’s brightest stars here in Queensland.”
After curating the First Nations Women’s Hip Hop showcase on Tuesday night, Dizzy Doolan hosted and performed with Barkaa at the awards. Source: Embellysh
The 2022 AWMA marked a special night for Australian artists says Ms Cheetham, after a rough two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The two years of the pandemic in Australia have ripped the industry into pieces,” she said.
“Obviously it was the entire world that faced this threat but as a community, we've felt it particularly.
“It was almost impossible in Australia to keep your career going during those two years if you're a performing artist. But we're seeing the arts come back, we're seeing audiences returned to the theatres.
“We deserve this celebration.”
Emma Donovan was among the First Nations artists to perform at the Australian Women in Music Awards. Source: Embellysh
Several First Nations artists were among the celebration with live performances from Dizzy Doolan (who also hosted the event), Barkaa, Emma Donovan and Kee'ahn.
“I think what we're seeing now, in the last few decades, is more of a general celebration of First Nations contribution.
“What these women do is help people get a better understanding of our belonging this country that we have innately, and music is the way we do that. It's the way we've always done that. It will take a message of truth and it will transcend the analytical and it will take that truth straight into the soul. That alone brings about a kind of understanding that this country needs so desperately.”
