This unique leadership opportunity is a 12-month Observership program with the APRA Board.
Songwriters, performers and industry leaders Deline Briscoe and Nathan May have commenced the Observership, a program in its second year.
"The Observership intends to grow the influence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as decision-makers at high levels of the music industry," said Leah Flanagan, Director, NATSIMO.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO) and APRA AMCOS are pleased to announce the appointments of Deline Briscoe and Nathan May to the APRA Board Observership positions.
This unique leadership opportunity is a 12-month Observership program with the APRA Board, which commenced at the Board's February meeting, with four more meetings in the calendar year. The initiative is being conducted with support and training from The Observership Program.
The program aims to build members' experience and confidence in serving on a Board and to learn how the APRA Board works on behalf of its music creator and music publisher members and how it makes decisions.
Yalanji Woman of Song, Deline Briscoe is a multi-genre vocalist and founder of Gaba Musik, a First Nations-registered music publisher and world-class production company.
Nathan is a singer-songwriter and a proud descendant of the Arabana, Yawuru and Marridjabin peoples originally from Garamilla/Darwin and currently based in Tarndanya/Adelaide.
APRA Board Directors Jonathan Zwartz and Jaime Gough, Concord Music Publishing ANZ, will mentor Deline and Nathan during the Observership.
Deline Briscoe said: "I am grateful to be selected for this year's NATSIMO and APRA Board Observership program as it is an important opportunity to develop skills and support the voices for First Nations in this country," said Deline.
Nathan May said: "I’m looking forward to learning from this group of industry people with a wealth knowledge. I’m also looking forward to two-way teaching and I hope I can also offer some insight to the Board about some of the issues we face in so many different aspects of the industry."
Leah Flanagan, Director, NATSIMO said: "Deline Briscoe and Nathan May are both very unique and dynamic music creators in their own right. They are also forging impactful and enterprising careers. The NATSIMO is grateful to have them as representatives on the Board and for them to share perspectives from their culture, region, career experience and more.
"The Observership intends to grow the influence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as decision-makers at high levels of the music industry. We have seen remarkable outcomes already with Fred Leone's appointment to the Music Australia's council, and I feel confident this is just the beginning."
Jonathan Zwartz, composer and musician, APRA Board Writer Director said: " 'From little things, big things grow.' The APRA Board Observership program is an absolutely wonderful initiative with the potential for profound and positive change within our music industry.
"It was daunting to realise how much there was to learn when I first joined the APRA Board. I hope to be able to share what I have learned in a useful way. However, my strong feeling is that this will be reciprocal, and I will learn so much from Deline also."
Jaime Gough, Concord Music Publishing ANZ, Publisher Director APRA Board said: "I’m honoured to be chosen as a Board Buddy for the 2024 Board Observership program. I look forward to sharing ideas with Nathan and learning from him throughout the year."
APRA Board Chair Jenny Morris said: "The APRA Board are once again thrilled to enable two Observerships in 2024. The NATSIMO’s clear vision to enable self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music creators has been influential, and from this guidance and vision, APRA AMCOS management and the Board recognise that building pathways to leadership and governance are central to that journey of self-determination."
"I look forward to welcoming Deline Briscoe and Nathan May to the APRA boardroom table throughout the year and would like to thank our inaugural Observers, Catherine Satour and Fred Leone, for their time and contributions. These roles help create new networks and add value and perspective to the discussions, and with my colleagues on the APRA Board, I know our shared respect and regard for music and music creators means that we will learn a lot from each other about leadership and the value of careful custodianship on behalf of the communities that we represent."