The Rudy Brandsma Award was established in 1983 in memory of the late ASA Chairman Rudy Brandsma (1944-1983). The Award is presented annually by the Board of Directors of The Australian Songwriters Association Inc in recognition of songwriting excellence by an ASA member in the course of that year’s Australian Songwriting Contest. Award winners are:
2025 – William Walsh
2023/24 – Sandy Louise McNaughton
2022 – Jon Davis
2021 – Thomas Libreri & Tessa Libreri
2020 – Cathy Dobson
2019 – Tiffany Gow
2018 – Lolo Brinton
2017 – Samantha Mooney
2016 – Alex Tobin
2015 – George Begbie
2014 – Robert McIntosh
2013 – Dani Karis
2012 – Melia & Nerida Naughton
2011 – Katie Hardyman
2010 – Karen Guymer
2009 – Kate Lush
2008 – Jo-Kelly Stephenson
2007 – Brenda-Lee Heathcote
2006 – Daniel Arvidson
2005 – K’Crasher
2004 – Callee Mann
2003 – Contest Not Held
2002 – Sara Downs
2001 – Keith Armitage
2000 – Tomino Speciale
1999 – Mike Kidd
1998 – Not Known
1997 – Michael Waugh
1996 – Felicity Hunt
1995 – Sharon Bothe
1994 – Nigel Foote
1993 – Billy Dettmer
1992 – John Cooney
1991 – Not Known
1990 – Jane Robertson
1989 – Not Known
1988 – Steve Wade
1987 – Not Known
1986 – Stu Storm
1985 – Steve Wade
1984 – Debbie Bignell & Tony Stark
1983 – Chris Lamech & Debbie Bignell