Indigenous talent was front and centre at the 2025 Queensland Music Awards, with multiple Indigenous artists recognised for their contributions to the state's music landscape during a ceremony at a packed Fortitude Music Hall on Tuesday.
Jungaji, Jem Cassar-Daley, Troy Cassar-Daley, Rudy Matoy and Christine Anu were among those honoured, reflecting the depth and impact of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices across genres and generations.
Troy Cassar-Daley made history by winning the first-ever publicly voted Album of the Year for 'Between The Fires', edging out fellow nominees including Amy Shark, Thelma Plum and The Dreggs.
His daughter Jem Cassar-Daley followed with a win in the Indigenous Award category for her song 'Big Container', continuing the family's strong musical legacy.
Jungaji was awarded the World Award for 'Gummy Bamarra (Grandson's Story)', a song performed in Gugu Yalanji language and written in memory of his grandsons.
In his acceptance speech, he described his "32-year apprenticeship" in the music industry and reflected on the loss of his son.
"Behind every great moment is a greater community, without you all I know these little wins just don't materialise," he said via Instagram.
"To think my first little gig was with uncle Mop and the Dropouts back in 1990 at Inala wandarra preschool, to learning my craft with my Aim 4 More brothers, to exploring my creative skills with our band Banawurun."
"Who would've thought a little old song in Guguyalanji language about my beautiful gummies born out of pure grief and hopelessness… would generate so much love and colour."
Christine Anu received the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades-long contribution to Australian music.
Her daughter, Zipporah Corser-Anu, performed a tribute of 'My Island Home', bringing the audience to a quiet standstill.
Multi-instrumentalist from Far North Queensland, Rudy Matoy was named the recipient of the Dennis 'Mop' Conlon Scholarship, one of four annual legacy awards presented by QMusic and supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
The $15,000 scholarship will support Matoy's continued development as an artist.
The evening featured performances from a diverse mix of Queensland artists, including Full Flower Moon Band, country artist Denvah, jazz group Voltozash, and students from Music Industry College as part of MIC Project.
In total, $60,000 in scholarships were awarded, including the Billy Thorpe Scholarship (Miles Nautu), Grant McLennan Fellowship (Wolfe Peterson), and Carol Lloyd Award (Dana Gehrman).
QMusic chief executive Kris Stewart said the awards offered recognition to artists at all stages of their careers.
"The QMAs recognise the passion, dedication and diversity of the people and places that make music such an integral and invaluable part of our state's cultural heritage," he said.
The full list of 2025 Queensland Music Awards winners is available on the QMusic website.
