Oh what a night! National Print Awards 25 years on

The 25th National Print Awards may be flagged as the last in the present format, but for the hundreds of industry professionals who thronged the Crown Conference Centre in Melbourne it proved to be one of the best ever. Print 21 editor, Simon Enticknap, mingled with the the printeratti to soak up the ambience of the night of nights.

Scot Telfer, chairman of the NPA (pictured below) used the historic quarter century occasion to pay tribute to the long-term sponsors, Heidelberg and Agfa as well as stalwarts like Graham Luke who unfortunately was unable to attend due to illness. He foreshadowed major changes to the format of the awards to be announced in conjunction with Printing Industries in the next few months.

Under the guiding eye of television personalities Jo Stanly and Peter Rowsthorne, the gold winners of the 34 categories climbed to the stage to receive what may prove to be the last ever gold awards of their type.

Reflecting the changing face of the industry newcomer GEON and conglomerate Webstar joined PMP, Hannanprint and Offset Alipine at the top end of town in claiming their share of gold. At the same time family-owned companies such as Scot Press and Adam's Print joined such perrenial prize winners as Bambra Press and Manark in the circle. Meanwhile Drago Zoric of D&D Global continued his unstoppable march towards being the most awarded printer ever. But not even the accolade of gold was enough to ensure the survival of recently failed SEP Sprint, which took off gold for its specialty of security printing.

Proving that small is beautiful, Peachy Print won gold for printing produced by a company with less than ten staff. Impresstik peeled away with the gold for labels.

But all eyes were on the three sponsor awards. This time around Andy Vels Jensen passed on the opportunity to give what has become his annual 'state of the industry' speech.  Instead he let the Passionate Printer video do his talking to the general applause of the audience. You remember, it was first shown on Print21online.

Getting back to business Vel Jensen presented the Heidelberg Award for Excellence to Craft Ian Smith of WA outfit GEON Advance Press, the most recent addtion to the mega group's stable.

New Agfa CEO, Frederick Dehing presented the Agfa award for the use of imagery in print deservedly went to a stunning entry from Sydney Allen, while fourth-year Lilyfield Printing Sydney Institute apprentice, Arron Miller, (pictured below with Peter Rowsthorne) won the PaperlinX award for best apprentice.

The night was filled with cheer and good humour as many hundreds of printing types took advantage of the networking opportunities afforded by good fellowship, good food and drink. As always much of the NPA audience continued its tradition of royally entertaining itself as the awards went on, seemingly oblivious to the proceedings on stage.

The NPA has again proved it is one of the most popular events on the calendar and after a quarter of a century can still pull the crowds. Even as organisers discuss changes to the format for the next 25 years, the old NPA lived up to its reputation of being a great night out.

One of the happiest men on the night proved to be Steve Pettaras of Pettaras Press who celebrated winning gold two years in a row. He continued on the tradition of independent printers proving they are the equal of the best.  Steve's pictured here in front with Corey London backed up by Dominic Albanese and John Elvy.

Congratulations to all concerned.