Music In The House was created in 2006 as an opportunity for Support Act to recognise someone in Australian music for their musicianship and, as importantly, their broader contribution to the community. It’s now our longest-running fundraising event.
Over the past 18 years we’ve celebrated many wonderful Australian artists, listened to some killer acoustic performances of their music by artists they admire, and heard heartfelt and moving testimony from their peers regarding their influence and impact on our lives.
In doing so, we have been joined by the who’s who of the Australian music and entertainment industry, and have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for our programs which help musicians, managers, crew and music workers who are doing it tough.
Music In The House returned to The Grounds of Alexandria in Eora/Sydney on Tuesday 20 August 2024 to honour the recipient of this year’s prestigious Excellence in the Community Award, Powderfinger.
Hosted by Jane Gazzo, with guest presenter Tim Prescott, the night featured acoustic performances of Powderfinger classics by Paul Dempsey, Sarah Blasko, Davey Lane and Troy and Jem Cassar-Daley.
The night was a huge success, with ticket sales, auction and raffle proceeds raising over $150,000, which will go towards helping music workers in need of crisis relief and psychological support, and counselling through Support Act Wellbeing Helpline.
You can see all of the photos from the night here.
You can also check out this year’s sizzle reel with highlights from the past 12 months below!
Music in the house hall of fame
Our honour roll of recipients is as follows:
2023 – Marcia Hines AM
Host: Courtney Act. Award Presenter: John Waters. Artists: Tania Doko with Janine Maunder, Damien Leith, Brendan Maclean with Oliver Cameron, and Natalie Gauci.
2022 – Midnight Oil
Host: Zan Rowe. Artists: Dave Faulkner, All Our Exes Live In Texas, Olympia, William Barton and Veronique Serret
2019 – Tina Arena
Speaker: John Watson. Artists: Kate Miller Heidke, Electric Fields, Ainslie Wills, Gary Pinto
2018 – Archie Roach
Speaker: Rhoda Roberts. Artists: Paul Kelly with Vika & Linda Bull, Emma Donovan, Tiddas, David Leha, Archie Roach & Craig Pilkington
2017 – Jenny Morris OAM
Speaker: Rachel Ward. Artists: Jimmy Barnes, Diesel, Neil Finn, Montagne, Shanley Del
2016 – Paul Kelly
Speaker: Andrew Denton. Artists: Julia Stone, Thelma Plum, Urthboy and Paul Kelly
2013 – The Original Sapphires
Speaker: George Negus. Artist: Jess Mauboy
2012 – John Butler
Speaker: Colin Hay. Artists: John Butler, Danielle Caruana
2011 – Russell Morris
Artists: Russell Morris, Brian Cadd
2010 – John Paul Young
Host: Virginia Judge MP. Artists: John Paul Young and Warren Morgan
2009 – Richard Clapton
Speaker: Ed St John. Artists: Richard Clapton & Dave Leslie
2008 – Don Spencer
Speaker: Helen Reddy and Adam Spencer. Artists: Rai Thistlethwayte (Thirsty Merc)
2007 – Glenn Shorrock
Speaker: Frank Ifield. Artists: Glenn Shorrock
2006 – Jimmy Barnes
Speaker: Michael Gudinski AM. Artists: Jimmy Barnes
A second Excellence in the Community Award was presented in late 2022 to Sally Howland. Sally was on the board of Support Act for 24 years and was Chair for nine of those years before retiring in December 2022.
Sally worked in Member Services at APRA AMCOS for many years, was Chair of Music Victoria, a Director of the Australian Music Centre and remains a Director of the Archie Roach Foundation.
“This is the first time that the Excellence in the Community Award has been presented to a non-musician,” said CEO Clive Miller, who presented her with the award.
“When we were trying to think of a farewell gift for Sally, it seemed only fitting that she should be recognised with this honour for her incredible service, outstanding leadership, faultless judgement and impeccable style, not just at Support Act but for the industry as a whole.”
