Celebration and success was in the air at the 34th Media Super National Print Awards held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre last night, with Adams Print again the big winners of the evening.
Building on the success of a bustling week of PacPrint, the National Print Awards provided the perfect setting to celebrate the capabilities of the printing industries.
In opening the event, Andrew Macaulay, Chief Executive of Printing Industries Association of Australia, said “It is an honour for Printing Industries to host the 34th National Print Awards”.
“As an industry, it is fantastic to celebrate the performance of our industry, and acknowledge how technology is being embraced to deliver exceptional quality for clients”.
Jen Baile, Chief Judge for 2017 congratulated all medallists for achieving the epitome of excellence in the industry “the quality and performance continues to rise year-on-year, and I would like to acknowledge the efforts that have gone in to producing the work and compiling entries for the awards.”
A total of 31 Gold, 24 Silver and 33 Bronze medals were awarded across 32 categories and sub-categories. Additional special awards included the Judge’s Award, Judge’s Highly Commended Award, Media Super Young Executive of the Year Award, and Media Super Industry Legend Award.
Adams Print of Victoria were awarded the largest number of Gold medals, collecting an impressive 7 in total including the coveted Judges’ Award for their ‘Degas’ Books – which medalled in their respective categories for Book Printing, Offset, Limp Bound and Book Printing, Offset, Case Bound.
PMP Limited deserve special acknowledgement for taking a clean sweep of Gold, Silver and Bronze awards in the Web Offset category.
The Judges’ Highly Commended Award was presented to Melrakki Book (Limited Edition), entered by Nulab Group of Victoria. This digitally printed limited edition book was a beautiful example of print at its finest. A calendar of the same title, was also recognised by the Judges as a great example of the print quality that can be achieved through a digital process.
Rachel Alcorn of Superior Safety Pty Ltd was awarded the Media Super Young Executive Award, which recognises and rewards young print professionals who show exemplary promise as executives in print. Media Super Chair Gerard Noonan said “It’s vital we encourage the next generation and recognise the valuable contributions they’re making to the print industry. The 2017 nominees are all exceptionally talented and embody the qualities needed to take the industry forward.”
Rounding off the award presentations for the evening, Dudley Scott of Scott Print in Perth was recognised as the Media Super Industry Legend. Mr Noonan, said “The Industry Legend award recognises an individual who has not only achieved long-term success in the printing industry, but who has also consistently innovated in their practices, assumed leadership positions within the industry and has earned the respect of their peers. Congratulations Dudley.”
Complementing the formalities of the evening, more than 450 guests enjoyed entertainment from MC Dave O’Neil, one of Australia’s most popular comics, admired the aerial artist performing manoeuvres beyond belief in the rafters, and then hit the dance floor to while away the evening in a fitting end to an exceptional week.
A hint of what to expect in years to come was captured in Macaulay’s speech “As we look towards the future, we see increased opportunity to utilise our National Print Awards as an inspirational vehicle to promote the industry to a much wider audience. The State-based Printing Industries Craftsmanship Awards will become aligned with the NPAs and form the avenue to entry. The impressive work on display deserves to be shared outside of our industry participants”.
There is a definite sense that change is in the air.