Award Ruleset

1. Artists must reside primarily within the Dubbo region.  This is defined as:

   • Distance: within 100km of Dubbo - includes Dubbo, Narromine, Gil, Wellington, Peak hill, Dunedoo, Mendooran.

   • More than half of band members must reside within the area

   • If the artist moved into or out of the region in that time, they are eligible if they spent the majority of their time living in the area in that year.

2. We will accept nominations for awards that are:

• original content only (no song covers)

• publicly released (music or visual artwork), performed (for live music categories) or taken (for photo awards) within the relevant awards time period

3. For 2026, the awards time period is 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2026

4. Artists playing any genre of music can enter

5. Artists who are not SOMAD members can enter

6. Artists who exhibit criminality or antisocial behaviour may be excluded from the competition at the discretion of the SOMAD committee.

7. Nominations received will be vetted by the SOMAD committee to determine eligibility.  One appeal on this decision is allowed for, but the second decision is final.

8. Public, judging panel or SOMAD committee vote results are not made public, except the winner. Votes are anonymous.

9. Attendance at the awards ceremony is not required to win an award, but we encourage all to attend.

10. This ruleset can be varied by the SOMAD committee if the need arises.

11. The following award categories will be awarded by an independent judging panel appointed by the SOMAD committee:

• Single of the Year

• Album or EP of the Year

12. The following award categories will be awarded based on a decision of the SOMAD committee, and may not be awarded in some years:

• Services to Original music

• Original Music Rising Star