AMPAL MAICC 2025 (Round 1) now open, applications close 9 Dec 2025

The Australasian Music Publishers’ Association Limited (AMPAL) is delighted to announce the return of the Music Australia International Conference Contribution – Music Publishers program for 2025!

Designed to ease the financial burden for music publishers who staff are attending a major international music conference, MAICC funding financially supports selected AMPAL members who represent writers with demonstrated potential in a specific international market, so the publisher can undertake an invaluable reconnaissance trip - and/or be present on-ground to maximise outcomes for their writers - at a major international music conference, during a critical moment in their writers', or their own, international career. The program provides contributions of up to $5000 AUD to selected AMPAL members in partnership with Sounds Australia presents the Music Australia International Conference Contribution - Music Publishers program.

2 new MAICC funding rounds have been announced for 2025:

ROUND 1, 2025: For conferences occurring in January to June 2025 inclusive; and

ROUND 2, 2025: For conferences occurring in July to December 2025 inclusive.

This game-changing funding initiative, along with the earliest iteration of the program in 2024 has already supported 11 music publishers to attend a major international music conference in 2024.

Surrounded by their music publisher peers and/or Sounds Australia team members (where Sounds Australia attendance is possible), selected MAICC funding recipients are provided with an invaluable opportunity to develop their music publishing skills, build export in-roads, and learn more about a selected international market whilst leveraging the formal and informal activities, networking and professional development opportunities that surround the international music conference that they are attending.

APPLY FOR ROUND 1 HERE

2024 AMPAL Board Election Results

The results for the 2024 AMPAL board elections were announced at the AMPAL Annual General Meeting held on 19 November 2024.

Congratulations to the following successful nominees:

Linda Bosidis*

Bernard Depasquale**

Matthew Donlevy***

Jane English*

Fergus Jenkins**

Craig Monagle *

Simon Moor*

Damian Trotter*

Mushroom Music Pty Ltd/Mushroom Music NZ Ltd

Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB)

Frankdon Music/Cooking Vinyl Publishing Australia

Wise Music Pty Ltd

Dew Process Publishing Pty Ltd

Warner Chappell Music Australia

Kobalt Music Publishing Australia P/L

Sony Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd

* Continuing director

** First time director

*** Returning as director having served previously

APRA AMCOS and AMPAL thank Peter Hebbes AM for 50 years’ service to the industry

Credit: Daniel Boud

APRA AMCOS and AMPAL bid farewell to industry legend, Peter Hebbes AM, as he announces his

retirement from the music industry and both Boards ahead of the Annual General Meetings on Tuesday

19 November.

A key player in the music industry for over 50 years, Hebbes was a trusted and respected leader in

music publishing, record labels and artist management. In his retirement, he is being recognised for his

significant contribution to the industry.

Launching his career in London in the 1970s in artist management with the legendary Peter Gormley,

Hebbes worked with superstars including Sir Cliff Richard, Olivia Newton-John AC DBE and The

Shadows.

The UK company also represented the international arm of Australian independent record label, Festival

Records and Music Publishing. At their invitation, Hebbes moved to Australia in 1977 and took up the

position of A&R Director, before later becoming Managing Director of Festival Music Publishing.

In 1993, Hebbes left the organisation to take up the role of Managing Director of Universal/MCA Music

Publishing Group, before going independent and setting up his own music publishing, business

management and consultancy company, Hebbes Music Group (HMG), in Sydney in 2000.

HMG was named Independent Music Publisher of the Year in 2003 by The Music Network and worked

with countless theatre and screen productions including Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Shout and The

Merchants of Bollywood until its sale to Cooking Vinyl Australia in 2024.

In 2006, Hebbes’ contribution to the industry and extensive charity work with organisations like

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy of Australia (now Noro), The Golden Stave Foundation and Variety -

the Children’s Charity, NSW was recognised by the Australian Government with his appointment of

Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

From 2010 to 2012, he took up the role of General Manager of the Australasian Music Publishers

Association Limited (AMPAL), also serving on its Board for over 40 years. Additionally, he had a hand in

the running of several other industry organisations including the Australian Music Centre (AMC) and the

Music Industry Advisory Council (MIAC).

Hebbes served on the Board of the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) from 1988 to

2000, on the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) Board for 34 years from

1988 to 2000, and again from 2002 to 2024.

Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS, explains: “Peter has been an absolutely pivotal player in our

industry for over 50 years, and his stellar career will be remembered for a long time to come.

“Through his work with APRA AMCOS and many other organisations and charities in the music industry,

he has brought great passion, dedication and guidance to everyone he’s worked with, and he will be

sorely missed. We wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.”

Clive Hodson, Chair of AMPAL, adds: “Peter has been a friend and colleague for over 30 years.

Throughout this time, I have witnessed his selfless dedication to his writers and invaluable support to

the boards and organisations he has been part of.

“His 40 plus years as a valued AMPAL Board member have showcased his deep knowledge, expertise

and love of music, making him a valued asset to both the Board and our wider membership.

“His lifelong friendships with some of the world’s most respected artists are a testament to his integrity

as a person. AMPAL, and I personally, will miss Peter for his insight and commitment as a valued

member of the Board.”

Damian Rinaldi Appointed General Manager of AMPAL

MEDIA RELEASE

After an exhaustive recruitment process, AMPAL is pleased to announce the appointment of Damian Rinaldi of Sydney-based consultancy Sonic Rights Management as AMPAL’s new General Manager.

Said Clive Hodson, AMPAL Chair: “In order to take AMPAL to the next level, we were looking for someone who could ideally provide not only industry and strategic experience and profile, but also operational and administrative capability. Between them, Damian and his team at Sonic Rights Management tick all of these boxes.”

Said Damian Rinaldi: “Though my many years working in the publishing arena, I have been convinced that our publishing fraternity deserves strong representation in the creative industries conversation. I’m delighted that my team and I now have the opportunity to follow through on that vision.”

A veteran of over 30 years in the music business since his days playing in bands in his native Perth, Damian is the managing director of music industry consultancy Sonic Rights Management, and the principal of its related music law firm, Sonic Lawyers. Damian brings a wealth of relevant music industry experience, including lengthy stints as head of legal & business affairs for both Sony Music Australia and Alberts, board member of PPCA, WAM and AMPAL, and past president of the Copyright Society of Australia. Particularly through his work with Alberts managing the AC/DC and Vanda & Young catalogues, Damian has developed strong relationships with publishers large and small around the world, and a sophisticated understanding of the publishing landscape and challenges faced.

Damian holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Western Australia and a Master of Laws degree (specialising in media, communications and information technology) from the University of New South Wales.

The SRM team also includes former longtime Sony Music executive assistant Gianna Simmonson, and former Art Gallery of NSW copyright officer Cherith Devenish.

Damian’s engagement rounds out a series of recent key appointments for AMPAL, which also include:

• Clive Hodson (Perfect Pitch Publishing) being elected Chair of AMPAL;

• Karen Hamilton (120 Publishing) being elected Deputy-Chair of AMPAL;

• Ralph W Peer (peermusic) being elected to the Global Board of ICMP (International Confederation of Music Publishers) as AMPAL’s representative; and

• Clive Hodson being elected as Chair of the Australasia and Asia Global Regional Board of ICMP.