Platypus Graphics takes top billing in QLD PICA

22 November 2011

Tom Lusch cleaned up at Queensland’s PICA night, claiming nearly double the amount of awards as his closest competitor with a total of 22 wins, which 11 were gold.

In a night full of laughter, fierce competition and celebration, the awards proved a fitting conclusion to what has been a tough year for the industry. Over 300 guests socialised and networked at the Hilton Hotel Brisbane. Close second in awards on the night was Susan Heaney’s, Performers in Print, which claimed 10 awards with five gold. Cornerstone Press made up the trifecta with three gold in 12 awards.

Printing Industries national president Susan Heaney extended a warm welcome to industry members and guests with a positive message about the Industry in a fitting prelude to a very successful and enjoyable evening.

According to Neal McLary, general manager for Printing Industries QLD, it has been a tough year for Queensland. “Our entries were down as well as the number of attendees for the evening. You certainly could see the effects of those natural disasters, with recovery still ongoing.

“The industry here has seen a slight lift in the last couple of months, but is still quiet compared to a typical year. We’d like to acknowledge to the whole of the Queensland industry and all the companies that contributed and won on the night, it was an outstanding result,” says McLary

Festivities went well into the night after the ballroom was closed, with guests moving out into the hotel and the CBD. “It was the first time the state awards have been back to the Brisbane Hilton in nearly eight years.

“Platypus Graphics are an outstanding business that has had success with the PICAs and nationals over the years. Its always pleasing to see them do well, but not surprising that they took such a spread over the categories on the night,” he says.

The first of the award of the evening – the Environmental Management Award – went to Screen Offset Printing and was presented by Jennie Trinder from Queensland Government’s Department of Environment and Resource Management.

Platinum sponsor, Fuji Xerox, presented this year’s Judges’ Special Commendation Award to Craft Inprint Brisbane, while Media Super awarded Platypus Graphics with the Judges’ Choice prize.

Pictured: Media Super's Ross Martin presenting the Judges Choice Award to Paul Drury of Platypus Graphics

The Printing Industries’/Southbank Institute of Technology Apprentice of the Year Award 2011 was awarded to Jacob Allen from Tennyson Group. Much sought after and acclaimed Category 25 for ‘An entry produced by an Apprentice’ was won by William Baptiste from GEON Australia.

Queensland’s night of nights finishes another successful year for the nations PICAs.

Gold winners include:

Platypus Graphics

Heaneys Performers in Print

Craft Inprint Brisbane

Cornerstone Press

GEON Australia

The Hungry Workshop

PMP Print

Colourwise Reproductions

Label Print Systems

Colour Crew

Kuhn Corp Press