Every child deserves music: Equity, access, and opportunity
The Ivy Ballroom came alive on 12 September with a night of celebration, music, and famous faces, as the Australian Children’s Music Foundation (ACMF) highlighted the transformative power of music and raised funds to ensure every child can experience it. As Federal Special Envoy for the Arts, The Hon. Susan Templeman MP, said,“Your work reminds us that music must be a right, not a privilege.”
The night’s message was clear: equity and access to quality music education matter.
As Ms Templeman explained:
“In communities where disadvantage can too often limit opportunity, programs like these plant the seed of possibility. Beyond any subjective benefits, as important as they are, the impact of music education is clear. The evidence base for its transformative impact is unequivocal. Regular access to music education improves school attendance, leads to better classroom behaviour and better results in literacy, numeracy, spelling, and attitudes to school generally.”
"Music education is something I deeply care about because the evidence is clear that it can transform kids’ lives," shared Ms Susan Templeman, MP, Federal Special Envoy for the Arts.
With two in three Australian children missing out on music education, the work of ACMF, founded by Don Spencer OAM, is more vital than ever. Their mission — to give every child access to music through free instruments, classes, and therapy — aligns closely with Music Education: Right from the Start’s vision that every Australian primary school student to receive a quality, sequential, and ongoing music education, as is their right under the national curriculum.
Alberts | The Tony Foundation is a proud long-time supporter of ACMF, who are also close collaborators on this initiative.
ACMF Founder Don Spencer OAM, performing with ambassadors Rob Mills and Graeme Isaako.
As Ms Templeman stated:
“Every child deserves the chance to discover their voice, to establish a lifelong connection with creativity, and to feel the joy that music brings. When we invest in children’s creativity, we are investing in stronger, more connected communities.
By making this investment, we are not just nurturing musicians, we are nurturing citizens, team players, and problem-solvers who will carry creativity with them into every corner of their lives.”
(Images: David Li Photography. Feature image: The audience was captivated by a breathtaking performance from, L-R: Lani Mapapalangi and ACMF ambassador Bailey Pickles, with ACMF music educator Rachel Scott on cello.)
