International Women's Day 2020: Inspiring Women in Music

Published 8 March, 2020

In the lead up to International Women's Day 2020, we asked our audience to participate in a campaign that would honour the amazing women in the music industry.

Our aim was to champion the women working across the many facets of the Australian music industry: artists, journalists, managers, photographers, consultants, small business owners and all the women who have an impact on the industry day-to-day. We asked people to send through a sentence about a woman in the music industry who had inspired them and had a great impact on their life and career.

Below are the responses we received. Thank you to the people who participated in this special campaign to honour the incredible women who make up the Australian music community.

“Bonnie Dalton gets my vote for woman of the year(s). Here is what I see. A woman who sets her sights on the horizon, looks around, pushes them a bit further on, then goes about gathering people together to help them get there too. What a great way to deliver. And with style, grace, smarts, wit, energy and intel to burn. Burn it up Bonnie! PS I loved writing this about her!” 
-Janet Dawes, Manager Arts Culture Community at Hobsons Bay City Council 

“Sarah Dileo at Frontier is so passionate about live music, and women in music and, well, music in general, and it shows in every part of her work.”
-Caitlin Bull, Music Therapist 

“A person whose been an inspiration to me many many times over the past years is Bonnie Dalton. She is a person of enormous warmth mixed with an energetic intelligence, fierce and frighteningly effective in her championing of the music industry whatever role she is in. But it’s her generosity of spirit that is the bit I value most about her. I have often been uplifted by her ready smile, her kindness, enthusiasm, boundless energy, wonderful humor, warm hugs and sheer humanity.”
-Carolyn Logan, Music Publicist and Artist Manager (Penney and Logan PR) 

“I would love to give a shout out to Elise Peyronnet. Leading an all female team she is creative, resilient and incredibly talented and has brought this city MMW for 10 years. All round legend.”
-Cara Tamandl, Fesitval Manager – YIRRAMBOI  

“I want to give a shout out to the writer Cyclone (The Music, Forte etc. ) Her work is iconic. She’s championed dance and rnb like no other in this country and has the ability to make the most sceptic or naive into impassioned, frenzied fans. Superstars and fledglings she’s considered, thoughtful and completely respectful of her subject and the craft of reporting. Cyclone is a force of nature and one I’m continually grateful for.” 
-Brigitte Stone – Editor, Forte Magazine

“Catherine Haridy holds some very high positions of power, running her own management company and raising 2 young children. It doesn’t get much more inspiring for me. I also know that she’s always on the phone and email helping people who aren’t represented by a manager just out of the goodness of her heart. Our industry is improved greatly by having her in it and I’m personally very lucky to have her out there managing my career on a daily basis.”
-Anna Laverty, Audio Engineer

“Emily Toner is amazing! She started her own music label, Wye In The Sky Records”
-Sallie Butler, Publicist, Wheeler Centre 

“I have a lot of people who I owe my entire photographic career to in some way or another. They gave me chances, championed my work, pushed me to strive into making this my full time profession and supported me, recommended me and are great friends who i respect whole heartedly: Stacey Piggott, Gabe Cramb, Cara Williams, Sophie Howarth, Michelle Grace Hunder, Sose Fuomali, Danae Effern, Bec Reato, Emily Kelly, Alycia Emerson, Courtney Barnett, Anna Horan, Isabella Kranjec, Alyse Newman, Rhiannon Cook, Bronwyn Tasker, Rachel Jones Williams, Marietta Ouzas, Pixie Weynard, Kat Rallis, Gerry Bull, Charlotte Abroms, Samantha Clode, Ella Cochrane, Eloise Granville, Sarah Dileo, Emily York, Jo Hickey, Gab Ryan, Sheri Young, Sophie Kirov, Fiona Duncan, Jenny Valentish, Sally Mather, Jodie Feld, Kate Landau, Meg Mac, Lorrae McKenna, Megan Washington, Nicole Stringer, Shari Hindmarsh, Steph Edwards, Vanessa Denis, Kirralee Fitzpatrick and Grace O'Connor. Everyone on here whether being an artist, publicist, editor, tour manager etc has greatly improved my life and career.” 
-Ian Laidlaw, Photographer 

“Mary Mihelakos. The first person to welcome me into the Melbourne music community, back when she was ‘Beat Mary’. Mary has been there for so many people in so many ways. She’s whip smart, tireless, innovative and generous to a fault. Big love to you MM.”
-Bonnie Dalton, VMDO General Manager

“Since 1991 Jenny Moon has been an inspirational leader in the male dominated world of live music production and has kicked opened the doors for the next generation of female leaders"
-Tim Dalton & Rebecca Koss

“Kee'ahn, her voice touched my heart, the way truth and tenderness can.”
-Chloe Vallance, artist

“Allara, her presence and poetry, for me it feels like sunlight dancing on water.”
-Chloe Vallance, artist

“Lady Lash, her spiritual connection and love resonate or reverberate through her sounds.”
-Chloe Vallance, artist

"Essie Williams inspires me with her determination, passion, creativity, courage, unyielding support, positivity and love for people and life."
- Michelle Eattell, photographer.

"We would like to acknowledge our two amazing band leaders, singers, songwriters and bass player from our band. They are very powerful women working hard in the music industry, specially in the Latin American community. These two women are Vanessa Estrada Music and Elizabeth Obando. Both are part of any musica projects in Melbourne, working endlessly to bring our community together, bring our music from back home to this land, always looking to collaborate with other women musicians, and creating music that is conscious about social justice, spirituality and union"
-The Sun Seeds

"Lately I’ve really been inspired by the leadership style of Sally Howland (Music Victoria Board Chair). I’ve really enjoyed getting to know her and seeing the way she brings warmth, a sense of humour and her wealth of experience into our organisation. I recently had the privilege of collaborating with her on a Support Act industry day and quickly discovered she has a knack at bringing out the best in people, supporting their ideas and allowing everyone to be heard. Thanks for everything you do Sally! "
-Katie Stewart, VMDO Business Business Manager.