A FIRST FOR FIRST NATIONS COUNTRY MUSIC

Ngaarda Radio is pleased to share a major milestone for First Nations country music, with the Independent Country Music Artists of Australia (ICMA) announcing the introduction of a brand-new Indigenous Artist of the Year award. The category was championed by Vickiree Melouney from radio station 2NVR 105.9, who is part of the ICMA committee and says the idea was sparked during an interview for Ngaarda Radio. “I was sitting at Ngaarda one day and realised nowhere really had anything specifically for Indigenous artists in country music,” she said. “I thought, I’m going to put it to Donna — and that afternoon we started working on it.”

ICMA began more than a decade ago as a grassroots fan-focused initiative, bringing independent country artists and their audiences together, before evolving into a national awards program driven by fan voting. The organisation now recognises independent Australian country artists across multiple categories, with nominees shortlisted by a committee of radio announcers and winners decided by public vote. “You really have to have your fans active and behind you — it’s all about engagement and support,” Vickiree explained.

The new Indigenous Artist of the Year award will be open to independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander country artists across male, female, duo and group categories, marking a first for Australian country music awards. Vickiree says the move helps address a long-standing gap in industry recognition. “There isn’t a First Nations category in the major country awards, so this felt important,” she said. “We’re proud to be the first awards group to produce an Indigenous award — and I’m just so excited about what this means going forward.”

If you want to nominate someone for this award please contact Donna by email at icmaaustralia@gmail.com and request a nomination form.