Awards & Recognition

Kev Carmody’s contributions to music and the arts have not only resonated deeply with audiences across Australia, but also earned him widespread recognition within the industry. Throughout his remarkable career, Kev has been celebrated with numerous prestigious awards, acknowledging his outstanding contributions to both Indigenous and Australian culture. Below are just some of the many accolades he has received in recognition of his artistic legacy and profound influence on music and the performing arts:

2023 Conferred Honorary Doctorate of Literature University of Queensland

2023 Conferred Honorary Doctorate of Letters (Hon LittsD) Australian National University

2022 Shining Star Award Byron Bay Bluesfest

2021 National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA) Hall of Fame Inductee

2019 J.C.Williamson Award (part of the Helpmann Awards) outstanding contribution to the live entertainment and performing Arts Industry.

2017 Alumnus of the Year Awards - Outstanding Alumnus of the Year - University of Southern Queensland

2017 Indigenous Service Alumnus of the Year - University of Southern Queensland

2013 Australia Council Don Banks Award

2010 Senior Australian of the Year State Finalist, Qld.

2009 Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame inductee.

2009 Queensland Great. Awarded by the state government, the Queensland Greats Awards honour individuals and institutions whose long term or lifetime achievements have played a significant role in the history and development of Queensland.

2008 Honorary Doctorate – University of Southern Queensland

2005 Deadly Awards, recipient of the Jimmy Little Award for Lifetime Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music

2002 Film Critics Circle of Australia & Screen Music (Australia) Awards for the score for One Night The Moon.

2001 Australian Film Industry’s Open Craft Award in a Non-Feature Film for an Original Score for One Night The Moon.

1994 Australian Entertainment 19th Annual “MO” Awards - Folk Performer of the Year

1993 Country Music Association of Australia Heritage Award for From Little Things, Big Things Grow

Kev Carmody House at UQ

Kev Carmody and the University of Queensland are proud to welcome new students to the Kev Carmody student residency house. Located on the university’s campus, the stunning new addition to UQ’s world class facilities has been built to honor the contributions that Kev has made to the teaching, administration and student body.

Vice Chancellor, Deborah Terry, wrote to Kev about the historic significance of the building with the residency becoming the first UQ-owned residential building and serve as a “visible reminder to our community of the transformative power of education and an inspirational symbol for future generations.”

For more information visit

https://uqres.com/kev-carmody-house/

It is a privilege to have The University of Queensland’s (UQ) new student residency named in my honour.

My journey to formal education started a little later than most. I didn’t learn to read and write until I was 10, but once I started to dive deep into the written and spoken word through music – including during my studies at UQ – the world took on a new meaning for me. Music and storytelling are my contributions to education. The way critical analysis of politics, history and the natural world can be blended to make songs and tell powerful stories is extraordinary.

I hope my story can help inspire students at UQ to follow their passions, to embrace and respect each other and to express their imagination in its fullest capacity.