NATIONAL PRINT AWARDS ROAR BACK TO LIFE

The industry’s refreshed National Print Awards roared back into life last night, at a gala dinner in Sydney characterised by energy, warmth, well-being, and the wonder of print.

Friends, rivals, suppliers and industry identities connected at a sparkling event produced by the industry employers’ group, Visual Media Association, in what was the 40th iteration of the print industry’s own awards.

Some 25 Awards of Excellence were presented, along with the Judges’ Award, and nine Major Awards. MCC took out the Printer of Year Award, Bambra Press won the Judges’ Award, Southern Impact won the Workplace Culture Award, Eckersley Print Group took out the Environmental Sustainability Award, and Print21 editor Wayne Robinson was honoured with the Industry Service Award. A full report on all the Major and Gold winners will be in next week’s Print21 midweek industry news bulletin.

The organisers eschewed the usual practice of having a celebrity MC, opting instead to go with industry leader Kelvin Gage to host the event. Gage did a superb job, keeping the pace going, leading the reflective time appropriately, and cracking jokes with audience members as the show rolled along. Gage nailed it right at the beginning, when he said the printing industry was one of “talent, innovation and passion.”

Among the razzle dazzle there were moments of quiet reflection as the room remembered those no longer with us, as an honour board played out, and when the winner of the Lifetime Achievement award was revealed, which was Geoff Selig, who was awarded posthumously. His brother Paul spoke eloquently, and with some emotion, as he recounted Geoff’s remarkable story in print to an attentive audience.

Opening the evening, Kellie Northwood, CEO, VMA, said, “The Awards are back. The best in print needs to be recognised and celebrated. Tonight, we will be acknowledging and applauding the excellence, innovation, passion, and creativity of Australian print.”

Northwood also thanked the sponsors, and made the point that by supporting the industry’s own awards the sponsors are supporting the local print industry, and therefore their own businesses. To loud applause she said, “Every dollar of surplus in the actual industry awards goes straight back to the industry, and this time those funds will be directed to lobbying the government to returning the $180m it spends on print overseas back to the Australian print industry.”

Awards producer Phillip Mariette set the tone perfectly for the event, with the graphics, lighting, music, dancers, and pace of the event all creating a buzzing atmosphere, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the sold out crowd.

The full report on all the winners will be in the next Print21 industry news bulletin.