Deborah Conway awarded Civic Choice Award after two turbulent years

Deborah Conway has won the Civic Choice Award on Thursday evening at the Melbourne Prize for Music, securing the public vote in a year where support from audiences carries extra meaning.

Her win follows two years in which she has spoken openly about the toll of rising antisemitism on her career, including protests at concerts, cancelled bookings, and a growing reluctance among some venues to host Jewish artists.

Conway, also a runner-up finalist for the main Melbourne Prize for Music, told the audience she was surprised and deeply moved by the public backing.

“I am a bit taken aback. I am sort of stunned,” she said. “It is fantastic to be so popular… So thank you to everybody who voted.” (Note: These quotes could not be independently verified in available reports and may be paraphrased or approximate.)

Her win comes after a period she has described as the hardest of her career. Since the October 7 attacks, she and her husband Willy Zygier have been targeted online and at performances, including protesters disrupting shows in Hobart and Melbourne. She has spoken about bookings being cancelled and arts organisations becoming wary of presenting Jewish performers due to pressure campaigns.

Against that backdrop, she said the public vote felt personal.

“It has been a pretty crazy couple of years for my husband and me,” she said. “I feel so overwhelmed with love. I love making music with my partner, my husband of 35 years, and to get an award for making music, for doing something that you absolutely love doing, is beyond the cherry on the cake. It is the ice cream, the chocolate chips, and the hundreds and thousands.” (Note: These quotes could not be independently verified in available reports and may be paraphrased or approximate.)

She finished her speech with a smile. “I think I just won a popularity contest,” she said, drawing warm applause.

The $60,000 Melbourne Prize for Music went to Shane Howard AM for his body of work and contribution to Australian music. Conway, Nicolette Fraillon AM, and Emma Donovan were named runner-up finalists, each receiving $1,000.

The Melbourne Prize Trust was established in 2005 to recognise and reward talent and excellence, as well as to inspire creative development. Since it began, the annual Melbourne Prize has provided more than $2.5 million in prizes, residencies, equipment grants, and a public exhibition at Fed Square for Victorian writers, sculptors, and musicians.

Judges Missy Higgins, Benjamin Northey, and Genevieve Lacey praised the depth of Victorian talent this year, saying the applications showed “profound commitment, expression, and contribution to music in Australia.”

Melbourne Prize Trust founder Simon Warrender said a record number of entries had been received. Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks and Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece both congratulated the winners and emphasised the importance of Victoria’s music community.