GUY GHOUSE AM: HONOURED MUSICIAN STAYS TRUE TO COMMUNITY, CULTURE AND THE ART
BY ASAD KHAN
In a quiet but profound recognition of a lifetime dedicated to music, culture, and community, Guy Ghouse has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours. For those who know him, this honour comes as no surprise.
But to Ghouse himself, ever humble, rarely in the spotlight, the acknowledgment feels less like a personal accolade and more like an opportunity to show others what’s possible.
“I’ve never been motivated by awards,” he said
“But this one’s special because it shows there’s more than one way to live your musical dream.”
A third-generation musician, Ghouse’s work spans decades, genres, and geographies, all rooted in connection. He speaks plainly, but the weight of his contribution is clear in every word.
Raised in small communities where food, family and music were inseparable, he sees no divide between art and community. The two, for him, are the same.
“Music was always in my DNA,” he said.
“It’s never just about performing — it’s about helping, teaching, connecting.”
Whether mentoring emerging artists, collaborating with long-time creative partner Gino, or performing with the West Australian Opera, Ghouse has made a habit of working from the ground up and pulling others up with him.
Many in WA’s music scene credit him with giving them their first break, quietly supporting and uplifting them without fanfare.
And it’s this spirit of service to the art, not self-promotion, that defines his career.
He said that he and Gina Williams don’t make albums to show off.
“We don’t want to achieve something,” he explains. “We want to fulfil something.”
This philosophy carries through to his advice for young creatives. Be authentic, he said, but don’t be afraid to break moulds. He’s proof that you don’t need a degree or a traditional career path to make it in elite art spaces.
“We didn’t come through universities. But we came with passion and purpose,”
“There is a pathway. You just have to believe in it.”
The King’s Birthday Honour may have his name on it, but Guy Ghouse is clear: it belongs to every person, every artist, every community that’s been part of his musical journey.
Listen to the Ngaarda Media’s Asad Khan speak with Guy Ghouse: