APRA Orchestrates Grand Centenary Festivities to Mark 100th Anniversary
The milestone roadmap includes the inauguration of a prestigious Hall of Fame event this November and a record-breaking edition of the APRA Music Awards in Sydney scheduled for April.
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SYDNEY, Australia — The Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) is set to commemorate its first century with an unparalleled series of events.
Unveiled today, January 28, the organization’s centenary roadmap features an extensive slate of activities designed to honor what the PRO describes as a “monumental tribute to the creative influence of songwriting and composition on the cultural and economic fabric of Australia and New Zealand.”
The ambitious agenda includes the debut of a “Hall of Fame-style” gala in November, alongside the most expansive APRA Music Awards ever held in Sydney this April, and the Silver Scroll Awards/Kaitito Kaiaka in New Zealand this October.
A Century of Sound and Song
In addition to the flagship ceremonies, the SongHubs collaborative initiative will see expanded operations in Australia and New Zealand. To further document this legacy, a comprehensive anthology book will be published, chronicling ten decades of regional musical evolution.
The festivities have already commenced with the launch of a digital archive titled APRA: A Century of Song. This interactive chronicle spotlights defining moments in history, such as Johnny O’Keefe’s “Wild One”—later reimagined by Iggy Pop—and the international ascent of legends like AC/DC, INXS, Midnight Oil, Lorde, and Sia.
Other highlighted milestones include Kylie Minogue’s iconic 1987 transition from television to pop royalty with “Locomotion,” the 1974 premiere of the legendary TV show Countdown, and Christine Anu’s stirring rendition of “My Island Home” during the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
“From pioneering radio licensing in the 1920s to championing creator rights in the age of Artificial Intelligence, APRA has evolved in lockstep with the music it protects,” stated Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS. “This centenary is more than a retrospective; it is an affirmation of the vital role songwriting plays in our national identity.”
Economic Impact and Future Growth
Established a hundred years ago by six visionary music publishers, APRA now provides representation for a community exceeding 128,000 creators. The organization continues to reach new heights in financial performance. In conjunction with its sister body AMCOS, the collective reported record annual revenue of A$787.9 million ($511 million) for the 2024-25 period, reflecting a 6.5% year-on-year increase.
With net distributable revenue rising to A$683.4 million ($443 million), industry analysts suggest the organization is on a fast track to surpassing the A$1 billion milestone in the near future.
Jenny Morris, MNZM OAM, the acclaimed songwriter and Chair of APRA, noted: “From the vintage charm of the 1930s Aeroplane Jelly jingle to Lorde’s modern global dominance, this centenary project is an essential journey for any music enthusiast. It is a privilege to reflect on the last 100 years while ensuring we remain indispensable to our members for the next century.”
Expanding the Hall of Fame
The introduction of a dedicated Hall of Fame ceremony adds to a vibrant year for domestic music recognition. This coincides with ARIA’s recently announced standalone Hall of Fame event, which will induct five legendary acts to celebrate its own 40th anniversary.
APRA’s most prestigious individual accolade, the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music, will continue to be a centerpiece of the annual awards ceremony.
The scale of these 100th-anniversary celebrations is expected to far exceed the 75th-anniversary program in 2001. During that milestone, a panel of experts famously crowned The Easybeats’ 1966 classic “Friday On My Mind” as the greatest Australian song of all time, followed by “Eagle Rock” and “Beds Are Burning.”
To explore the historical timeline and learn more about the upcoming events, visit the official portal at apraamcos.com.au/100-years.
