Meeniyan and Archies Creek scoop Victorian music awards – South Gippsland Sentinel-Times

PHILLIP Island’s Kutcha Edwards, the Archies Creek Hotel and the Meeniyan Town Hall have emerged as major winners at the 2023 Music Victoria Awards which were handed out on Monday night, October 30 in a ceremony at The Edge, Federation Square. Melbourne.

The Mutti Mutti songwriter, activist and industry advocate was inducted into the Music Victoria Hall of Fame while Archies Creek Hotel and the Meeniyan Town Hall scooped the regional music venues prize pool.

The Caravan Music Club and Archies Creek Hotel have won the Best Regional Venue or Presenter (Over 50 gigs) and the Meeniyan Town Hall won the Best Regional Venue or Presenter (Under 50 gigs).

Speaking after what was big night out on Tuesday night, Peter Foley of the Archies Creek Hotel said it was something of a Bass Coast and South Gippsland benefit.

“The star of the night was Kutcha Edwards from Phillp Island who was inducted into the Music Victoria Hall of Fame, and I was sitting on a table with Rod Murray from the Meeniyan Town Hall which won the Best Regional Venue under 50 gigs, so we had a pretty good night,” said Peter.

“We work in with them and people like Marcus Satchell and Lisa at Dirty Three Wines in Inverloch to get some good acts down here.

“But yes, it’s nice to get the recognition from the industry and the people as well, because it was a popular vote this year.

“You know, you work away down here, semi-isolated from the industry, so you don’t always know, so, it’s good yes.

“The way we’ve always tried to do it is to set up a venue and then build a community around that, and I suppose we must be doing something right.”

It’s the second time The Caravan Music Club and Archies Creek Hotel have won the Best Regional Venue award, last time voted by their industry peers, and this time by popular vote.

Peter said the recognition of the Victorian music industry and also the public certainly opened doors when trying to attract the best as well as a variety of acts to Archies Creek and also for the Lyrebird Arts Council at Meeniyan.

“We’ve been able to bring some great acts down here, but we wouldn’t be anything if the community didn’t respond and come along.”

Both the Meeniyan Town Hall and the Archies Creek Hotel have a fantastic line-up of acts over next few months. To find details and tickets go to: Archies Creek Hotel https://archiescreekhotel.com.au/ and Meeniyan Town Hall https://lyrebirdartscouncil.com.au/meeniyan-town-hall/

Song of the year went to Julia Jacklin for ‘Love, Try Not to Let Go’ from last year’s ‘Pre Pleasure’. Cash Savage and the Last Drinks won album of the year for their 2023 release, ‘So This Is Love.

‘Cable Ties’ took home the awards for Best Group and Best Rock or Punk Work.

‘Immy Owusu’ was named Best Musician and ‘Jen Cloher’ won Best Solo Artist.

Kutcha Edwards Band will appear at the new Berninneit arts centre in Cowes on Saturday, June 29.