THE INAUGURAL Sunshine Coast Music Awards were held on Sunday, May 3,1, and local music lover Leigh Kuryj was recognised as the coast’s number one music attendee, taking home the award for ‘Punter of the Year’.
Held at The Station venue located at Birtinya, the awards were orchestrated by the Sunshine Coast Music Industry Collective (SCMIC) as a way to showcase the music scene across the coast.
The SCMIC states that one in 41 people on the Sunshine Coast identify as being involved in the Music Industry. The coast is richer with music and the industry in all its diverse facets is an important cultural experience that attracts and retains a broader Sunshine Coast workforce and community.
From the hard-working musicians to the venues, professionals and people who support them, the awards were a celebration of the talent which is so rich here on the Sunshine Coast.
Award categories included Live Act of the Year (Betty Taylor), Artist of the Year (Ziggy Alberts), Musician of the Year (Minnie Marks) and Venue of the Year (Solbar) amongst others. A unique award also paid homage to the people who show up to gigs, and the Punter of the Year award was won by Coolum’s very own Leigh Kuryj, who has a day job in bookkeeping and is also the Coolum Business and Tourism Treasurer.
Leigh said it was a real honour to be recognised for something she loves to do.
“A huge shoutout to the Sunshine Coast Music Industry Collective for recognising not only the artists, but also the people in the crowd — the ones dancing, clapping, and singing along… even if our rhythm is questionable and our lyrics are completely wrong!”
Standout gigs from the last year for Leigh included Tones and I at the Kings Beach Tavern and, closer to home, the January 5 DJ gig at the Coolum Beach Hotel.
“I love being able to escape via music, and I’m a very sociable person, and to all the other punters out there, keep dancing, keep cheering, and keep turning up, because when we do, we keep this industry alive.”
Leigh said that she was eagerly looking forward to the upcoming ‘The Big Weekend’, which is put on by Coolum local Pricey and will be once again held out at Blackflag Brewing on July 12.
Division 9 Councillor Maria Suarez was also at the awards on behalf of Sunshine Coast Council who was a major sponsor.
“The SCMA are a great way to showcase our hard-working musicians as well as the venues, professionals and people who support them,” Cr Suarez said.
“It was refreshing to hear everyone speak so highly of each other and hear of the support within our music industry between everyone involved.”
For more info on the SCMIC please visit – www.scmic.org