Miss Vicky recognised with national award

AMTA Honorary Life Membership for contribution to the music therapy profession

Last night at the 2021 Annual General Meeting of the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) Miss Vicky was awarded with an Honorary Life Membership in recognition of the significant contribution she has made to the profession.

Miss Vicky served as the President of AMTA for three years, leading the profession in its initial response to the pandemic.

She has also volunteered endless hours in multiple roles including Chair of the Government Relations Committee, National Council member, Convenor of many conferences and professional development seminars, and Chair and Vice Chair of the Queensland Branch of AMTA when she was a young graduate.

Now, she heads up the GST task force and is busy lobbying on behalf of members and clients to gain clarity on GST and music therapy services.

Vicky has taught many students at the University or Queensland and the University of Limerick and she has supervised hundreds of students on placement. She continues to mentor students and graduates in her business role.

In a career that spans almost 30 years, Vicky has created more than 30 music therapy positions to date.

“Music therapy empowers people to be heard, to connect with others, to identify and celebrate their strengths,” Vicky said.

“It is so important to have avenues for people to explore, create and connect in ways that are safe, supportive and unique to their needs and their life circumstances.

“Music can have such a powerful impact in our lives. As a music therapist I get to share these magical moments with people, such as seeing a mother and her baby attune to each other, and really connect.

“When a mother truly sees her child and is in the present moment, connected through the music they are making together, and the child responds with such joy and musicality, it is like watching two people fall deeper in love in that moment.”

Vicky said there is never a day when she thinks she would like to be doing anything else.

“Well, that’s not true, some days I would like to be a koala conservation officer, but that would be in addition to being a music therapist, not instead of,” she said.

Congratulations to Miss Vicky from all of us here at Music Beat Australia!