Helpmanns 2019: Kev Carmody honoured for outstanding contribution

Live Performance Australia (LPA), organiser of the Helpmann Awards, will present celebrated singer-songwriter Kev Carmody with its JC Williamson award for 2019.

It is presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian live entertainment and performing arts industry and shaped the future of the industry for the better.

Of First Australian and Irish heritage and one of the “stolen generation”, Queensland-born Carmody’s influential body of work includes ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’ with Paul Kelly which is based on the story of The Gurindji Strike and Vincent Lingiari in their struggle for First Australian land rights and reconciliation.

Carmody said of the honour, "The artistic and creative prestige that the JC Williamson award bestows upon me, in this case, is an acknowledgement of Our Ancient Indigenous oral musical and storytelling history.

“As this year's recipient I accept the award on behalf of this cultural recognition, with humility and gratitude.”

Past recipients include Dame Joan Sutherland, Barry Humphries, Kylie Minogue, Dr Jimmy Little, John Bell, Paul Kelly, Michael Gudinski Stephen Page, David Williamson and Archie Roach.