Speech in the ACT Legislative Assembly
17 November 2009
For more information visit:
www.catawards.com.au
www.miss-saigon-canberra.com
CAT Awards
Mr Speaker, I rise this afternoon to offer my support of the Canberra Area Theatre Awards. The CAT Awards are an integral component of the Canberra arts scene and one that I think we as a community should be supporting in any reasonable way possible.
For thousands of people in the region involved in theatre, the CAT Awards is the high-point of their efforts and achievements over the past year. The awards recognize the many people integral for the production of plays or musicals that otherwise do not necessarily get the recognition they deserve. In addition to recognising front-of-house performers, the CAT Awards also recognize back-of-house contributions with awards such as Best Set Designer, Best Costumes, Best Lighting Designer, Best Choreographer, Best Director of a Play, and others.
The CAT Awards cover a large geographical area including Batemans Bay, Bega, Bowral, Canberra, Cowra, Merimbula, Orange, Parkes, Queanbeyan, Wagga Wagga, Wellington and Yass. So, the positive impact of the CAT awards extends far beyond the Territory and adds considerable value throughout our region.
Given the area covered, it makes the contribution made by judges even more impressive. The judges travel considerable distances at their own expense to give support and recognition, and to assess the shows which include school and youth performances. I would particularly like to acknowledge the judges:
Ted Briggs, Garrick Smith, Ian Mclean CSC, Charles Oliver, Stephen Pike, Oliver Raymond OAM, Norma Robertson, Rose Shorney, Anne Somes, David Whitbread, Don Whitbread OAM, Coralie Wood OAM
All those involved in the CAT Awards, and in particular, Coralie Wood OAM, go well above and beyond what could be expected of them. They give tirelessly of their time, energies and resources.
Last week, the Chief Minister announced the 2010 ACT Arts Fund recipients. It is disappointing that once again, the CAT Awards were not successful in spite of their very professional application. I recognise and welcome the independence of the panel who assess the applications. I also share the disappointment of those involved in the CAT Awards who were once again rejected and deemed not worthy of any of the $1.3m allocated to the fund. When you look at all the successful grants, the CAT Awards is certainly up there with having the widest-reach, they support people of different ages, support tourism, local talent, and more.
Whilst the CAT Awards might not be the most ‘alternative’ applicant, it certainly does support originality, new talent and diversity – they go a long way towards harnessing and developing a vibrant community.
Obviously the CAT Awards goes on without the grant. However, I think it is important we don’t take the generosity of those involved with coordinating and running the CAT Awards for granted. Their contribution is significant, but not endless. If the Territory does not support the CAT Awards, its future is far from certain.
I urge the Government to consider what support might be able to be offered to the CAT Awards.
I would like to thank the sponsors of the Cat Awards:
ActewAGL, Smoke-Free, Channel Vision, Teatro Vivaldi, Canon, Quest Wagga Wagga and Vent
Miss Saigon
I would like to commend the cast, orchestra and production team involved with the Phoenix Players and Supa Productions performance of Miss Saigon at the ANU Arts Centre. The season opened on 12 November and is running until 28 November. I urge all in the Assembly to attend and to encourage others to attend too. Myself, Steve Doszpot MLA and Vicki Dunne MLA had the pleasure of attending the opening night of the production and we were very impressed with each aspect of the performance. I would like to pay particular tribute to those involved in the set design and production of the helicopter scene. It really was a fantastic scene.
In my remaining minute or two, I would like to read into Hansard the great cast, orchestra and production team involved in Miss Saigon.
Cast
Grant Pegg, Jacinta Le, Dean Salonga, Sean Ladlow, Claire Watson, Simon Stone, Mariam Grey, Chloe Van, Maximilian Hoy, Ryan Tolich, Christine Van, Cornelia Carson, Deanna Gibbs, Dim Ristevski, Ele Wilcher, Elizabeth Flynn, Hannah McFadden, James Powell, Jessica Holmick, Kevin Ching, Mathew Chardon O’Dez, Michelle Klemke, Naomi Barnbaum, Nikole Sklavos, Peter Ricardo, Rebecca Franks, Renee Krig, Richard Block, Rina Benedictos, Sarah Golding, Simon Wong, Steve Galinec, Tegan Mitchell, Thompson Quan Wing, Will Huang, Yvette Rugala
Orchestra
Andrea Clifford, John Yoon, Ewan McLunato, Catherine Rheinberger, Wendy Kehoe, Nerrida McCorkell, Tom Manley, Gabrielle Ball, Ian Hearn, Philip White, John Batterham, Adam Dickson, Derrick Brassington, Liz Turner, Peter McDonald
Production Team
Kelda McManus, Andrea Clifford, Amy Fitzpatrick, Jennie Norberry, Garrick Smith, Gaby Schmid, Judith Satrapa, Brian Sudding, Sudzsets, Eclipse Lighting and Sound, Ruth Boddy, Tony Falla, Jessica Cook, Suzan Cooper, Alissa Gabriel, Andrew Properjohn
I encourage everyone to see the show.