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 17 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 Sydney on Thursday 31 August 2023 to honour the recipient of this year’s prestigious Excellence in the Community Award, Marcia Hines AM.

Leaders from across the music industry and beyond attended the sold out event in celebration of Marcia, who was presented with the Award for her contribution to music and the community by John Waters.

Hosted by Courtney Act, the night featured stunning acoustic performances of Marcia’s classics by Tania Doko with Janine Maunder, Damien Leith, Brendan Maclean with Oliver Cameron, and Natalie Gauci.

The night was a huge success, with the ticket sales, auctions and raffle raising over $150k, which will go towards helping music workers in need through our crisis relief, mental health and wellbeing programs, and the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline.

Check out the sizzle reel of what we’ve been doing over the past 12 months and all the pics from the night.

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.”