Ngaiire, Ruby Boots among APRA AMCOS Professional Development Awards winners

Timothy Carroll of Holy Holy, Ngaiire, Jack Carty, Ruby Boots and Briggs were among the winners of APRA AMCOS’ Professional Development Awards, announced this morning in Sydney.

Held at the rights association’s Ultimo head quarters, the aforementioned joined Peter McNamara, Aaron Kenny and Jeremy Rose as the eight winners to receive career-boosting prizes worth over $15,000.

Chosen from a pool of 1200 songwriters and composers across a variety of genres, the winners were announced by TV presenter Chit Chat.

The PDA’s were opened with a performance by Ngaiire and a brief address from APRA AMCOS CEO Brett Cottle, who spoke of the need to invest in the support of the next generation of writers.

Ruby Boots, who picked up the Country PDA, also closed the presentation with a performance of her track Middle Of Nowhere. Upon accepting her award she said: “My heart’s bouncing out of my chest. Thank you so much to APRA. I thank you every three months anyway. Especially the last quarter, that was amazing.”

Victorian rapper Briggs picked up the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander award. He promised that with his new record company Bad Apples music, he would use the $15,000 to open the door for other indigenous artists.

Briggs thanked Damian Trotter, Managing Director of Sony/ATV Music Publishing. He said Damian “showed me what it’s like to have five figures in your bank account, not in the red.”

Ngaiire picked up the Pop Contemporary award, her first ever trophy. When she took gthe stage to accept the award she said she thought of quitting music 12 months ago, after more than a decade in ths industry.

Ngaiire’s sentiment was later shared by Timothy Carroll of Holy Holy, who admitted to entertaining the idea of giving up music before he met band mate Oscar Dawson.

Also announced this morning was the inaugural recipient of the newly created Indigenous Music and Media Award from the Smugglers of Light. The foundation was set up in memory of Eli Westlake aged 21, who was tragically killed in Sydney on 7th June 2008.

Songwriter Marcus Corowa was the inaugural winner; the foundation’s founder Nigel Westlake accepted the award on his behalf.

“Selected from a strong field of practitioners from all over Australia, Marcus Corowa is an emerging singer / songwriter who is a highly focused and gifted individual,” said Westlake. “We are thrilled to be able to offer this unique opportunity to someone so deserving, and are privileged to be able to play a small part in supporting the development of a unique and talented voice amongst Australia’s rich tapestry of musical talent.”

Winners list:

Timothy Carroll of Holy Holy (Popular Contemporary)

Ngaiire (Popular Contemporary)

Jack Carty (Popular Contemporary)

Ruby Boots (Country)

Briggs (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander)

Peter McNamara (Classical)

Aaron Kenny (Film and Television)

Jeremy Rose (Jazz)