One of the outcomes of the National Review of School Music Education (2005) was the establishment of the National Awards for Excellence in School Music Education which were funded by the Australian Government and administered by ASME, and were awarded annually during the period 2007 – 2011 (inclusive).
The awards funding provided thirteen $5,000 awards each year, and the awards process had some impact on publicly recognising the achievements of outstanding music teachers and school leaders which indirectly had some positive effect on the status of school music education. ASME’s submission for the continuation of the funding was not successful. Nevertheless, ASME continues to nationally recognise outstanding music educators through the ASME Music Educating for Life Awards.
ASME National Executive presented the inaugural ASME Music Educating for Life Awards during the ASME XIX National Conference held in Canberra in 2013.
The intention of these Awards is to publicly recognise one award winner from each Chapter at the ASME National Conference. Subject to the resources of individual ASME Chapters, the award winner may receive some support towards attendance at the National Conference. The decision to offer the award is at the discretion of individual ASME Chapters. Any potential award applicants should register their interest with their local Chapter.
The deadline for applications is 3 months prior to the next ASME National Conference, and applications should be submitted to the local ASME state chapter Chairperson. These awards are announced publicly during the ASME National Conference.
Download Application FormPrevious Recipients
2023
John Gill
New South Wales
Sally Rounsevell
South Australia
Claudia Barker
Victoria
Peter Sharp
Victoria
Deb Brydon and Debbie O’Shea
Queensland
2021
Meleene Primero
Northern Territory
Belinda Dolan
Queensland
Kate Retelsdorf and Jonathon Rice
South Australia
Jennifer MacDonald
Tasmania
Anne Lierse
Victoria
2019
Alex Manton
New South Wales
Dr Cade Bonar
Queensland
Sari Noble
South Australia
Carolyn Cross
Tasmania
Roland Yeung
Victoria
Veronica Akse
Western Australia
2017
Greg Thwaites
New South Wales
Janice Purdie
South Australia
Michael Travers
Victoria
Jane Nicholas
Western Australia
2015
Andrew Mifsud
New South Wales
Ben Fuller
South Australia
Jane Alderson and Jan Ruscoe
Western Australia
2013
Diane Durham
Western Australia
Dr Rosalind McMillan
Victoria