Megan Washington Tames Vanda & Young Song Competition
30 November 2009
$130,000 raised for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia
Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Megan Washington has been announced the winner of the inaugural Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition for her song, “How to Tame Lions”.
Born in Papua New Guinea, raised in Brisbane, the 23 year old artist has had an incredible year in music. In January Megan was “Unearthed” by triple J, in September she released her 2nd EP titled How to Tame Lions and after a performance on ABC TV’s ‘Spicks & Specks’, Megan held 3 of the Top 5 iTunes Album Chart positions.
Megan has toured with the likes of Camille, Tim Finn and Paul Kelly and has formerly sung backing vocals for Old Man River and Ben Lee, and has recently played shows Australian shows supporting Kate Miller Heidke and Sia.
Megan Washington will be taking home a sensational prize package including airfares, accommodation, cash, studio time, video production assistance, a classic guitar all worth over $50,000, plus performance and mentorship opportunities that money just can’t buy!
On receiving the career changing prize, Megan said: “The calibre of songwriters in this competition was outstanding to say the least, so I am truly humbled and grateful to have been given this award. I'm proud to be associated with an organisation that promotes music as a tool for healing and expression, and one that is so selfless and generous in its endeavours”.
We know there can only be one winner, but due to the success and high standard of the entrants two runner-up prizes have been awarded, each worth $3,500.
Congratulations go to Eskimo Joe (Kav Temperley, Joel Quartermain and Stu Macleod) for “Foreign Land”, and Caitlin Harnett for her song “Tying Hands and Holding Shoelaces”.
"It’s such a great honour to be recognised for our song writing efforts and to be associated with the names Vanda and Young is a real buzz," said Kav Temperley from Eskimo Joe.
“Just to know that one of my songs has, in some way or another, connected with someone, is the loveliest feeling in the world and to be recognised in this songwriting competition is a dream. I feel like I have caught the moon! Music, to me, is a very healing and therapeutic thing, so the fact that all the money is going to a charity that reflects this is very special. I am so happy and grateful to be acknowledged. Thank you,” said Sydney based singer-songwriter Caitlin.
The competition raised an astounding $130,000 for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia.
Songwriter, Nordoff-Robbins Board Member and competition judge Jenny Morris said: “The calibre of songs was high and that made it very exciting to judge. We are very pleased with the winning entry and also pleased that this song will in many ways be the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy song for the next year.
“We are so grateful to the very generous prize donors and to Vanda and Young for lending their name to the competition.
“We encourage all song writers to enter next year because for just a small amount you do so much good and the kudos of winning this competition is very valuable to any songwriter at any stage of their career”.
Megan Washington and the runners-up will be presented with their prizes on Friday 4 December at the APRA|AMCOS head office in Ultimo.