About the Australian Opera Awards Committee

The Australian Opera Awards Committee (AOAC) is a registered Australian charity founded over 50 years ago by Lady Fairfax AC OBE. Our committee consists of professional volunteers who are committed music lovers and advocates of the Arts. For over 50 years, AOAC has raised and awarded millions of dollars to support opera in Australia.

AOAC was the first organisation to honour Dame Joan Sutherland by establishing an award in her name — the Dame Joan Sutherland/AOAC Award has been presented annually for 40 years.

Vice Regal Patron: Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales.

Vice Patrons include: General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC, Mr Richard A. Bonynge AC CBE, The Hon. Michael D. Kirby AC CMG, General David John Hurley AC CVO DSC.

AOAC Awards — Structure & Guidelines

Fulbright Scholarship in the Operatic Arts, Funded by the Australian Opera Awards Committee

https://www.fulbright.org.au/scholarships/fulbright-opera-scholarship/

Selection Criteria

  • Demonstrated significant achievement and potential in operatic or related performing arts disciplines
  • Completed an initial period of operatic training
  • Strong musical background
  • Australian citizens only
  • Letter of invitation or affiliation from a relevant U.S. host institution or organisation

Process

Applications open 1 March, close 1 July.

Submissions

CV including performance links + study/project plan outlining intended use of funds — see the Fulbright Australia website for more information.

AOAC Dame Joan Sutherland Award — $20,000
AOAC Richard Bonynge Award — $10,000

Selection Criteria

  • Voice of operatic potential
  • Completed an initial period of operatic training
  • Strong musical background
  • Demonstrated ability to perform convincingly
  • Previous operatic performance experience desirable
  • Australian citizens only
  • Dame Joan Sutherland Award: applicants 26 years and over
  • Richard Bonynge Award: applicants 18–40 years of age

Process

  • Applications open 1 February, close 30 June (5pm)
  • Adjudicated by 31 August, announced shortly after
  • Award funds transferred early December
  • All awardees must sing without remuneration at two AOAC functions

Submissions

CV including performance links + study/project plan outlining intended use of funds.

Past Beneficiaries (selected)

  • 2025: Emma Moore (Soprano) — DJS Award; Christiana Aloneftis (Soprano) — RB Award
  • 2024: Imogen-Faith Malfitano (Soprano); Fleur Brockway (Mezzo Soprano)
  • 2023: Danita Weatherstone (Soprano); Robert Adam (Countertenor); Celeste Haworth (Mezzo Soprano)
  • 2022: Alexander Sefton (Baritone); Bronwyn Douglass (Soprano); Alexander Hargreaves (Baritone)
  • 2021: Thomas Strong (Tenor); Petah Chapman (Soprano)
  • 2020: Sophie Salvesani (Soprano); Tomas Dalton (Tenor)
  • 2019: Matthew Reardon (Tenor); Ruth Strutt (Mezzo Soprano)
  • 2018: Nicholas Jones (Tenor); Olivia Cranwell (Soprano); Shakira Tsindos (Soprano)
  • 2017: Julie Lee Goodwin (Soprano); Jenny Lui (Soprano); Michael Honeyman (Baritone); Zoe Drummond (Soprano)
  • 2016: Stacey Alleaume (Soprano); Sarah Wang (Soprano); Morgan Balfour (Soprano)

Full list back to 2004 available on request.

Notable Alumni

Anthony Warlow, Lorina Gore, Daniel Sumegi, Amy Radford, Emma Jayakumar, Andrew Goodwin, Deborah Humble.