WAM Reveals Winners of 2025 Song of the Year Competition Presented by Healthway and Act Belong Commit

West Australian Music (WAM) are delighted to announce the winners of the 2025 WAM Song of the Year competition presented by Healthway and Act Belong Commit. The West Australian Music Song of the Year Competition is the premier competition to platform and celebrate the depth of talent in WA’s contemporary music scene.

Taking out the coveted overall Grand Prize was Helena. with their song P’s Get Degrees, which also won the ‘Punk/Hardcore’ category. Hailing from the scenic Perth Hills, Helena. seamlessly blends rock anthems, pop punk, and harmonies to create a sound that’s both infectious and captivating. With each performance they deliver catchy tunes that undoubtedly make you move and leave you with a lasting impression. 

Young 17-year-old trailblazer Elianie was Grand Prize Runner Up for my mind which also won the ‘Schools 15–18’ category. Yet again showing the quality of entries in the youth categories.

Second Runner Up was awarded to The Hunger by Brightsider ft. Lemon Myrtle, the category winning song, for ‘Outstanding Regional’.

The winner of the ‘Act Belong Commit’ category this year was young First Nations performer ICONYX with Blak on Trak, which featured in the top 5 of three different categories and winner of the ‘Outstanding Indigenous’ category.

Healthway Chief Executive Officer, Colin Smith congratulated ICONYX for taking home two well-deserved awards.  

“Congratulations to ICONYX and to all the winners and nominees. WAM is leading the way with a program that not only celebrates musical talent but also strengthens our music community by putting mental health and wellbeing at its heart,” he said.

Healthway is proud to partner with WAM to promote the Act Belong Commit health message.

West Australian Music CEO, Owen Whittle congratulated the winners

“With over 800 submissions across 17 categories from all corners of the state, these awards have shown that WA continues to publish the best music in the country.” 

“In 2025 we have seen a continued emergence of young musicians into the awards with under 18 musicians winning 5 categories, including our ‘Outstanding Indigenous’, ‘Act Belong Commit’ and ‘Hip-Hop/R&B’.

“WAM was pleased to debut a new award “A Song of Sophie” developed in honour of local music enthusiast and artist Sophie Smith, and is possible thanks to the Sophie Smith Fund, held with the Fremantle Foundation.” 

“This unique, additional category welcomed under 25 artists to be judged by a specialist panel with the winner set to receive a cash prize of $2500 and an exclusive mentoring program with a renowned local artist Jordi Davieson from San Cisco. WAM would like to congratulate the recipient of this award, Liz-Zard for her song hard to believe. WAM is proud to honour Sophie’s legacy by developing and nurturing local talent and celebrating West Australian music.” 

The 2025 Song of the Year live event featured performances by Holli Scott, ICONYX, NEOMANTRA, Brightsider and EDIE – delivering a dynamic and diverse performance program befitting of this big celebration of WA songwriting talent. 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed panel of judges for 2025: Adam Dance, Andy Kelly, Apostolos Fotiadis, Ash McGregor, Austin Salisbury, Ben Larson, Claire Pannell, Clive Hodson, Hayley Ayres, Ivo Da Silva, Jamie Laval, Jessica Ieritano, Joe Mahon, John (Rock Scholars), Kailyn Crabbe, Kelly Gudgeon, Kyron Smith, Liam Lewis, Luanne Shneier, Mahaan Gandhi, Marley Doonan-Cook, Mark Lloyd, Mark Neal, Marika Bailey, Matt Perrett, Minky Gardner, Mohammed ‘Ayo Busari’, Molly Jackson, Olivia Gamage, Olivia Guiffre, Osric Powell, Pamela Boland, Paul Clarke, Phaedra Watts, Rachel Goad, Rein Mali, Rhian Todhunter, Sammie Fletcher, Sandy Marwick, Sarah Moyse, Stephen De Filippo, Tenille Elkins, Warren Ianello and Will Marwick 

Congratulations to all winners and nominees.