Well-known local musician Sonia McMahon was inducted into the South Burnett Music Awards Hall Of Fame
April 8, 2026
Rockin’ Our Abilities founder Sonia McMahon – who also rocks the South Burnett in the Rufus Jack band – was the big winner at the recent South Burnett Music Awards.
Sonia was inducted into the South Burnett Music Awards Hall Of Fame, won the People’s Choice Award and was nominated for the Mentor Award.
The fourth annual awards night, organised by founder Warren Gould, was hosted this year at the Kingaroy Golf Club.
A big crowd of South Burnett musicians, their friends and supporters filled the club for the evening, which also featured live performances between the presentations.
Warren founded the awards as a way to recognise local talent in the South Burnett as well as raise funds to buy instruments to support up-and-coming musicians.
He said that since the awards began, close to $15,000 worth of musical instruments had been given to young people.
A donation of $300 was also presented during the night to Rockin’ Our Abilities.
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Award Nominees & Winners
Young Musician Of The Year
Nominees – Charlie Thomas, Cooper Kruse, Justine Evangelista, Giaan Zammataro
Winner – Justine Evangelista
Encouragement Award (people who encourage musicians)
Nominees – Susan Mollenhauer, Chris Wenner, Sue McCulloch, Christine Peck
Winner – Chris Wenner
People’s Choice Award (nominated by public)
Top 5 nominees – Amber Goldsmith, Natalie Fenton, MISfITZ, Rob Fitz-Herbert, Sonia McMahon
Winner – Sonia McMahon
Mentor Award (a new award for 2026)
Nominees – Matt Phillips, Matthew Wild, Sonia McMahon, Stephanie Wimpenny
Winner – Stephanie Wimpenny
Country Music Award
Nominees – Larry Cann, Amber Goldsmith, Dean Perrett, Groundcrew
The all-star band which played during the awards … from left, Matt Phillips, Tony Cisneros, Natalie Fenton and Amos Pellas (at the back was Warren Gould on drums)Amber Goldsmith, who was nominated for the People’s Choice Award, also performed during the evening
John Campbell, from Blackbutt-Benarkin Lions, and Janis Byrnes, from Taabinga Lions, were greeting guests
Award nominees Susan Mollenhauer and Matt Phillips … Matt was also part of the all-star band playing on the night
Warren Gould presented young Denzel McFarlane, from Kingaroy, with a trombone (being held by Jordan Cook) which was donated to the South Burnett Music Awards by Peter Armstrong … Denzel has been playing the trombone since he was three
Jason Killick, from sponsor Killick Family Funerals, presented the Hall Of Fame award and perpetual trophy to Sonia McMahon
Nicole Gagen, from sponsor Powerlink, presented the People’s Choice Award to Sonia McMahon, from Rockin’ Our Abilities and Rufus Jack
South Burnett mayor Kathy Duff presented the Country Music Award to award-winning South Burnett singer-songwriter Larry Cann
Sonia McMahon presented the Encouragement Award to Chris Wenner who has been a key support for Rockin’ Our Abilities
Justine Evangelista being interviewed by Warren Gould after being named Young Musician Of The Year … Justine has been performing since she was very young and is now training in BrisbaneRockin’ Our Abilities’ founder Sonia McMahon presented the Rockin’ Our Abilities Superstar Award to Mitchell Taylor, from Proston; the South Burnett Music Awards also presented Rockin’ Our Abilities with a $300 donationNominee Giaan Zammataro, who last year won an APRA AMCOS songwriting award, performed her winning song, “To the Kid”Blackbutt singer Matthew Wild, centre, also performed an original song during a break in the eveningTony Cisneros, from Mr Q, presented Stephanie Wimpenny, from the South Burnett Performing Arts Academy, with the Mentor AwardAward nominee Cooper Kruse, 14, performed solo during the awards …… as well as performing a duet with well-known country singer Paul Ricketts
