The Highlands has served as the perfect backdrop for an album that has just won an Australian Recording Industry Association Music Award (ARIA).
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Former Wiggle Emma Watkins who is known for her character Emma Memma, won an ARIA for the best children's album at the ceremony on November 15.
It was an honour for the children's entertainer to be nominated for the first time for her new character, especially with people who have been in the industry a long time, she said.
Peter Combe, Play School, The Wiggles, and Whistle and Trick were also nominated.
"We didn't expect such a result," she said.
The Emma Memma album which can be heard on Spotify, Apple Music and also watched on YouTube as a visual compilation with Auslan, features 11 songs.
It was recorded at Emma and her husband Oliver Brian's studio in Robertson.
It was one of the best experiences for the couple, she said, due to all of the influences it has had on their music and Emma Memma books.
The children's entertainer confessed that inspiration for songs has struck when she has fed the goats early in the morning in the Highlands, or even when she's with the pets.
Some critters living nearby inspired one of the songs Wombat Wednesday.
"We have a mum and baby living in a burrow across from our house," she said.
The recent accolade was not only a win for the region but also "for a diverse range of experiences".
With dancing and signing at the heart of Emma Memma's character and the performer's PhD, all of the character's content is made with deaf consultants.
Auslan was used at the ARIAs which was a plus, but it was not part of the main broadcast, the entertainer said, where more had to be done to cater to people with disabilities.
She said this point was driven home by the Telstra ARIA Music Teacher winner Sue Lowry in her acceptance speech.
The dedicated music teacher in Queensland who teaches disabled students with a program that caters to all needs.
Emma dressed as Emma Memma to surprise the teacher with the nomination months before the ceremony.
"For everyone in Australia, I think people need to recognise that music is so valuable," she said.
Signing has been a critical part of Emma Memma's shows, where the dancer has also had the chance to sign with others overseas, when she competed with her sister Hayley on the Amazing Race: Celebrity Edition.
The duo, who competed for Deaf Connect, finished equal first with Alli and Angie Simpson, and Darren McMullen and Tristan Dougan.
People can also see the Emma Memma perform new songs with her friends at the Sydney Zoo from November 17 to 19.
Tickets can be purchased through sydneyzoo.com/emma-memma/.
To learn more about Emma Memma, head to emmamemma.com.
The album was also nominated in the Best Independent Children's Album or EP in the AIR Awards and the Major Minor Music Austraia Awards this year.
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Briannah Devlin
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
