ABC Amplified Awards

Moorilla Winery

Sunday, 19 July 2009

I’d like to start by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land we meet on today and their associated traditions, customs and living culture.

I’d also like to acknowledge:

• Rob Valentine, the Lord Mayor of Hobart;
• Mark Kelleher, the Secretary of the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts;
• Katherine Hough, the Director of Arts Tasmania;
• Our partners in these Awards, the ABC as well as the many partners who have contributed to the success of Amplified over the weekend;
• And of course the nominees for tonight’s awards.

It gives me great pleasure to be here tonight on behalf of the Minister for Tourism and the Arts, Michelle O’Byrne, who will be joining us later in the evening direct from a community cabinet meeting in Deloraine.

I’m sure that many people here tonight have attended other Amplified events over the weekend and have had the opportunity to witness the strength of the contemporary Tasmanian music industry.

You only have to listen to this year’s Amplified CD to know that Tasmania is producing some world-class music and this been recognised by the national and international success of some of our artists and bands.

Tonight we recognise the shortlisted nominees for the ABC Amplified Awards across 25 different categories.

These awards showcase the many facets of the music industry – not only the musicians, but the engineers, producers, promoters, DJs, events, online presence, managers and venues.

This is a moment where everyone in the industry gets to shine.

Those not receiving an award tonight but who are equally deserving of recognition, are the partners and supporters without whom Amplified would not be possible.

The ABC eagerly jumped on board to partner in the 2009 Amplified Awards.

They have been doing a fantastic job in the lead up to Amplified, producing and airing studio recorded content to push Tasmanian bands further into the public realm.

They are also recording tonight’s event and will be using this material to promote the awards.

A big thank you to the ABC and also to Moorilla Winery who have supported many of the Amplified events across the weekend.

Southern Cross Television, the Mercury, Edge Radio, Hobart City Council, Troy Horse, AMRAP, Sauce and APRA have all demonstrated their commitment to the development of the contemporary music industry and to them our sincerest thanks.

We all know that good music is timeless.

Confucius back in the fifth century said, "music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without."

His words and the sentiment behind them have stood the test of time.

I look forward to the Tasmanian music industry doing the same.