Music legend and ACMF founder, Don Spencer OAM, recently joined A Current Affair to share a powerful reminder of why music education is vital for every Australian child. At 88 years young, Don’s passion remains undiminished as he continues his mission to ensure no child misses out on the life-changing power of music.
The Power of Being Heard: During the segment, iconic Australian performer and ACMF Board Member Justine Clarke highlighted the deeper impact of the Foundation’s work.
“To be seen and to be heard is so important for a young person… it gives them a sense of place in the world,” Justine shared.
Meet The Winners:
The story offered a behind-the-scenes look at the National Songwriting Competition, showcasing the incredible talent unearthed through the program:
- Lucy Beveridge: The 2024 APRA AMCOS “Young Songwriter of the Year.”
- Zella Benko: A 12-year-old talent who won her category with her hauntingly beautiful song, “Dear August.”
- Bailey Pickles: A former winner who has come full circle to join Justine Clarke on the judging panel—proving that the seeds planted today become the mentors of tomorrow.
A Milestone Made Possible by You
As Don noted in his interview, “Music is a joy,” and he certainly hasn’t finished his work yet. This national recognition is a milestone made possible by our community of supporters. Following our recent Christmas Appeal, we are incredibly proud to show our donors the tangible impact of their generosity.
Thank you for believing that every child deserves a voice.
Listen to the 2025 Winners
The talent in this year’s competition was truly breath-taking. You can listen to the full winning tracks from all our 2025 winners, including Zella Benko, here.
