Australian Dance Awards

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The Australian Dance Awards recognise excellence and promote dance in Australia. They are awarded under the auspices of the Australian Dance Council (Ausdance) for performance, choreography, design, dance writing, teaching and related professions. They especially recognise and honour professional Australian dance artists who have made an outstanding contribution to Australian dance.

Contents

History

The awards have their origin in the informal community Dancers' Picnic founded by Keith Bain first held in 1986 on or close to International Dance Day. [1]

In 1997, Ausdance NSW with support from the City of Sydney and The Australian Ballet, presented the inaugural Australian Dance Awards at the Sydney Opera House. Over time, the Awards have evolved into a major industry event. For three years from 2008, the Awards were held in Melbourne and produced by Ausdance Victoria with support from the Joan and Peter Clemenger Trust and The Australian Ballet. [2]

From 2011 until 2017 the location varied, as the awards were held by tender among the state-based organisations of the Ausdance network. In 2018 Ausdance National hosted the event at the Brisbane Powerhouse in Brisbane, Queensland, and owing to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, the event was held online by the national body in 2020, covering the years 2018 and 2019. [2]

2019

Awards not held. [3]

2018

Presented by Ausdance National and Harlequin Floors, the 2018 Australian Dance Awards were presented on Saturday 8 September at Brisbane Powerhouse. [4]

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Lifetime Achievement Award Athol Willoughby OAM
Hall of FameNo inductees
Services to DanceHilary Trotter
Services to Dance EducationKatrina Rank
Outstanding Achievement in ChoreographyStephanie LakePile of BonesStephanie Lake Company
Outstanding Achievement in Youth Dance Co3 Project NEXT
Outstanding Achievement in Community DanceTracks DanceMan Made
Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New MediaSue Healey Eileen
Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Dance, Musicals or Physical Theatre Gravity & Other Myths BACKBONE
Outstanding Achievement in Independent DanceMartin del AmoCHAMPIONS
Outstanding Performance by a Female DancerJana Castilloconstruct
Outstanding Performance by a Male DancerBeau Dean Riley SmithBennelong (2017) Bangarra Dance Theatre
Outstanding Performance by a Company Dancenorth Attractor

2017

Presented by Ausdance Victoria, Harlequin Floors and Ausdance National, the 2017 Australian Dance Awards were presented on Sunday 24 September at Arts Centre Melbourne.

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Lifetime Achievement AwardHelen Herbertson [5]
Hall of Fame Noel Tovey AM
Services to DanceJennifer Irwin
Services to Dance EducationKim Walker
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Lucy Guerin The Dark ChorusLucy Guerin Inc.
Outstanding Achievement in Youth DanceCatapult Dance, The Flipside ProjectIn Search of the Lost Things
Outstanding Achievement in Community DanceLiz Lea & collaboratorsGreat Sport!with Canberra Dance Theatre, the National Museum of Australia, the GOLD company, Dance for Parkinson's ACT and KAGE
Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New MediaThe Samaya WivesThe Knowledge Between Us
Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Dance, Musicals or Physical Theatre Jack Chambers Singin' in the Rain TEG Dainty, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises & Michael Cassel Group
Outstanding Achievement in Independent DanceLiesel ZinkThe Stance
Outstanding Performance by a Female DancerAko KondoCoppélia The Australian Ballet
Outstanding Performance by a Male DancerBenjamin HancockThe Dark ChorusLucy Guerin Inc
Outstanding Performance by a Company Bangarra Dance Theatre OUR Land People Stories

2016

Presented by Ausdance National and Harlequin Floors, the 2016 Australian Dance Awards were held at The State Theatre Centre of Western Australia, Perth, on Sunday 18 September at 6.30 pm as part of the MoveMe Festival 2016.

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Lifetime Achievement Award Terri Charlesworth [5]
Services to Dance Roy David Page
Services to Dance EducationDr Joan Pope OAM
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Lucy Guerin Motion PictureLucy Guerin Inc.
Outstanding Achievement in Youth Dance Force Majeure & Powerhouse Youth TheatreJump First, Ask Later
Outstanding Achievement in Community Dance Dancenorth TwilightCheryl Stock
Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New Media Meryl Tankard Michelle’s Story
Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Dance, Musicals or Physical Theatre Circa Contemporary Circus Il Ritorno
Outstanding Achievement in Independent DanceSue HealeyOn View: Live Portraits
Outstanding Performance by a Female DancerElma KrisLore Bangarra Dance Theatre
Outstanding Performance by a Male DancerDavid MackFrame of MindBangarra Dance Theatre
Outstanding Performance by a Company Bangarra Dance Theatre Lore

2015

The 2015 Australian Dance Awards were presented by Ausdance National at Her Majesty's Theatre in Adelaide on Saturday 12 September 2015.

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Outstanding Achievement in Youth DanceSTEPS Youth Dance CompanyFights & Flights
Outstanding Achievement in Community Dance Tracks Dance Company Milpirri (Jarda–Warnpa)
Services to Dance EducationTanya Pearson OAM
Outstanding Achievement in ChoreographyNarelle BenjaminHiding in Plain Sight
Hall of Fame Marilyn Jones and Dr Elizabeth Cameron Dalman OAM
Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New MediaClaire MarshallWard of State
Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Dance, Musicals or Physical Theatre Gravity & Other Myths A Simple Space
Services to DanceJeff Busby
Outstanding Achievement in Independent DanceTorque Show and Michelle Ryan with Lavender vs RoseIntimacy
Lifetime Achievement Award Marilyn Rowe OBE [5]
Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer Lucinda Dunn OAM Manon The Australian Ballet
Outstanding Performance by a Male DancerWaangenga BlancoPatyegarangBangarra Dance Theatre
Outstanding Performance by a Company Queensland Ballet Romeo & Juliet

2014

The 2014 Australian Dance Awards. Held in the Joan Sutherland Theatre of the Sydney Opera House, 9 November 2014. Hosted by Francis Rings and Kip Gamblin. [6]

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community DanceBuzz Dance TheatreLook The Other Way
Services to Dance EducationJanet Karin OAM
Outstanding Achievement in ChoreographyStephanie LakeAorta
Hall of Fame Gailene Stock AM CBE
Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New MediaSue HealeyOn View
Services to DanceAnnie Grieg
Outstanding Achievement in Independent DanceDalia PigramGudirr Gudirr
Lifetime Achievement Award Leigh Warren [5]
Outstanding Performance by a Female DancerLeanne StoymenovCinderella The Australian Ballet
Outstanding Performance by a Male DancerJame Vu Anh PhamAortaChoreographed by Stephanie Lake
Outstanding Performance by a Company The Australian Ballet Cinderella

2013

The 2013 Australian Dance Awards. Held at The Playhouse of the Canberra Theatre Centre, 6 August 2013. Hosted by Andrea Close. [7]

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance Tracks Dance Company Eight to Eighty—Architecture of Age
Services to Dance EducationJackie Hallahan
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Rafael Bonachela 2 One Another Sydney Dance Company
Peggy Van Praagh Choreographic FellowshipKay Armstrong
Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New MediaSue HealeyVirtuosi
Services to DanceShane Carroll
Outstanding Achievement in Independent DanceAntony HamiltonBlack Project 1
Lifetime Achievement Award Ronne Arnold [5]
Outstanding Performance by a Female DancerCharmene Yap2 One Another Sydney Dance Company
Outstanding Performance by a Male DancerKimball WongProximity Australian Dance Theatre
Outstanding Performance by a Company Sydney Dance Company 2 One Another

2012

The 2012 Australian Dance Awards. Held at Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre, Perth. Hosted by Verity James. Winners were: [8]

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance Shaun Parker and Company Captivate
Services to Dance EducationSarah Calver
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Natalie Weir R & J Expressions Dance Company
Peggy Van Praagh Choreographic FellowshipStephanie Lake
Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film / New MediaBryan Mason & Sophie Hyde Life in Movement
Services to DanceLucinda Sharp
Outstanding Achievement in Independent DanceBarry Moreland & Daryl BrandwoodHELIX
Lifetime Achievement AwardNanette Hassell [5]
Outstanding Performance by a Female DancerElise MayR & J Expressions Dance Company
Outstanding Performance by a Male DancerDaryl BrandwoodHELIX
Outstanding Performance by a Company Bangarra Dance Theatre Belong

2011

The 2011 Australian Dance Awards. Held at QPAC Playhouse, Brisbane. Hosted by Fenella Kernebone. Winners were: [9]

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Lifetime Achievement Award Robina Beard OAM [5]
Services to Dance EducationValda Craig
Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance QL2 Dance Hard Yards
Outstanding Achievement in ChoreographyRafael Bonachela6 Breaths Sydney Dance Company
Outstanding Performance by a Company Expressions Dance Company Where the Heart Is
Outstanding Achievement in Independent DanceNarelle BenjaminIn Glass
Outstanding Performance by a Female DancerAmy HollingsworthIrony of Fate Sydney Dance Company
Outstanding Performance by a Male DancerDaniel GaudielloCoppelia The Australian Ballet
Outstanding Performance in a Stage MusicalAlinta Chidzey West Side Story
Hall of FameKeith Bain OAM
Award for Services to DanceRuth OsborneArtistic Director – QL2 Dance (Canberra)

2010

The 2010 Australian Dance Awards. Hosted by Neil Pigot. [10] Held at Melbourne's Arts Centre, State Theatre. Winners were: [11] [12]

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Lifetime Achievement AwardBill Akers AM [5]
Services to Dance Stephen Page
Services to Dance EducationMaggi Phillips
Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance Restless Dance Theatre Hard Yards
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Meryl Tankard & Paul WhiteThe Oracle
Outstanding Performance by a Company Bangarra Dance Theatre Fire – A Retrospective
Outstanding Achievement in Independent DanceSue PeacockQuestions Without Notice
Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer Lana Jones Firebird The Australian Ballet
Outstanding Performance by a Male DancerPaul WhiteThe Oracle
Outstanding Performance in a Stage Musical Caroline O'Connor Chicago

2009

The 2009 Australian Dance Awards winners were: [13] [14]

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Lifetime Achievement Lucette Aldous [5]
Outstanding Achievement in Dance EducationJeff Meiners
Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance Tracks Inc STRUCKAwarded for the first time in 2009 [15]
Outstanding Performance in a Stage MusicalNick Twiney, Rarmian Newton, Rhys Kosakowski, Lochlan Denholm, Joshua Waiss Gates, Dayton Tavares, Joshua Denyer & Michael Dameski Billy Elliot The Musical
Outstanding Performance by a Company Force Majeure The Age I'm In
Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance Tanja Liedtke (posthumous)construct
Outstanding Performance by a Female DancerKristina Chanconstructchoreographed by Tanja Liedtke
Outstanding Performance by a Male DancerReed LuplauSid's Waltzing Masquerade Sydney Dance Company
Outstanding Achievement in ChoreographyTanja Liedtke (posthumous)construct
Award for Dance on FilmChris SchererIf The Shoe Fits
Award for Services to DanceLee ChristofisA former dance critic and now curator of dance at the National Library of Australia [14]

2008

The 2008 Australian Dance Awards were hosted by Michael Veitch. The winners were: [16]

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Lifetime Achievement Paul Hammond OAM [5]
Outstanding Achievement in Dance EducationHelen Cameron
Outstanding Performance in a Stage Musical Hugh Jackman The Boy From Oz Choreographed by Kenny Ortega and Kelley Abbey
Outstanding Performance by a Company Lucy Guerin Inc Structure & SadnessChoreographed by Lucy Guerin
Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance Shaun Parker This Show Is About PeopleProduced by Marguerite Pepper Productions
Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer Lucinda Dunn Don Quixote The Australian Ballet
Outstanding Performance by a Male DancerPaul WhiteHonour Bound [17] Choreographed by Garry Stewart
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Garry Stewart Honour BoundCommissioned by Sydney Opera House & Malthouse Theatre
Award for Dance on FilmSue HealeyWill Time TellProduced by Sue Healey
Award for Services to Dance Dally Messenger III & Karen van Ulzen

2006

Hosted by Todd McKenney, Dancing with the Stars and Rachael Beck from It Takes Two . The winners were: [18]

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Lifetime Achievement Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon [5]
Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance EducationBuzz Dance Theatre
Award for Services to DanceHilary Crampton
Outstanding Achievement in ChoreographyTanja LiedtkeTwelfth Floor
Outstanding Achievement in Independent DanceClare DysonChurchill's Black Dog
Outstanding Performance by a Female DancerKristina ChanTwelfth Floor Tanja Liedtke Co.
Outstanding Performance by a Male DancerByron PerryHeadlock Kage Physical Theatre
Outstanding Performance by a Company Australian Dance Theatre Devolutionby Garry Stewart
Award for Dance on FilmSam James & Julie-Anne LongNun's Night Out

2005

Hosted by Chloe Dallimore, the star of the Australian production of the musical The Producers and Eddie Perfect. The winners were: [19]

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Lifetime Achievement AwardKathryn Lowe [5]
Outstanding Achievement in Dance EducationJenny Kinder
Outstanding Performance by a Female DancerMargrete HelgebyAqueous
Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer Dein Perry Tap Dogs
Outstanding Performance by a CompanyForce MajeureAlready ElsewhereChoreographed by Kate Champion
Outstanding Achievement in ChoreographyWendy Houstoun, Narelle Benjamin, Brian Carbee, Julie-Anne Long & Michael Whaites


Graeme Murphy

In the Dark

Grand

Outstanding Achievement in Independent DanceJulie-Anne LongThe Nun's Picnic
Award for Services to DanceMark Gordon
Award for Dance Film Gina Czarnecki NascentChoreographed by Garry Stewart
Outstanding Performance in a Stage Musical Josef Brown in Dirty Dancing
Inducted to the Hall of Fame.Colin Peasley, John Lanchbery and Ross Stretton

2004

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Lifetime achievement awardJulie Dyson AM [5] National executive officer of Ausdance since the Australia Council began funding the organisation in 1985 also received the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award for Administration in 1994
Outstanding Achievement in Dance EducationMichelle SaundersGeneral Manager of STEPS Youth Dance Company
Outstanding achievement in choreography Frances Rings Unaipon Bangarra Dance Theatre
Outstanding Performance by a Company Australian Dance Theatre HeldChoreographed by Garry Stewart.
Outstanding Performance by a female dancerLarissa McGowanHeld Australian Dance Theatre
Outstanding Performance by a male dancerPatrick Thaiday

Paul Zivkovich

Unaipon

Held

Bangarra Dance Theatre

Australian Dance Theatre

Outstanding Performance in a stage musical Chloe Dallimore The Producers
Outstanding achievement in independent dance Kate Denborough Nowhere Man Kage Physical Theatre
Award for services to danceNo award
Award for dance on filmI Dream of AugustineConcept & Direction: Cordelia Beresford

Choreography & Performance: Narelle Benjamin

2003

Hosted by Libbi Gorr. The winners were: [20]

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Lifetime achievement awardCheryl Stock [5] As a performer, choreographer, artistic director, advocate, researcher, academic, and leader in tertiary dance education
Outstanding Achievement in Dance EducationKeith Bain OAM
Outstanding achievement in choreography Graeme Murphy AM Swan Lake Sydney Dance Company
Outstanding Performance by a Company Sydney Dance Company UnderlandChoreographed by Graeme Murphy.
Outstanding Performance by a female dancerSimone Goldsmith Swan Lake The Australian Ballet
Outstanding Performance by a male dancerBradley ChatfieldUnderland Sydney Dance Company
Outstanding Performance in a stage musicalJoshua Horner Tivoli Sydney Dance Company
Outstanding achievement in independent danceHelen Herbertson and Ben CobhamMorphia Series (Delirium and Morphia)
Award for services to danceMichelle Potter
Award for dance on filmSue HealeyFine Line

2002

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Lifetime achievement award Meryl Tankard [5]
Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education Nanette Hassall Founder of Dance Works and currently Head of Dance at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
Outstanding achievement in choreography Garry Stewart The Age of Unbeauty(Australian Dance Theatre)
Outstanding Performance by a Company Australian Dance Theatre The Age of UnbeautyChoreographed by Garry Stewart.
Outstanding Performance by a female dancerRoz HerveySame Same but Different Force Majeure
Outstanding Performance by a male dancerDean WalshThe Age of Unbeauty Australian Dance Theatre
Outstanding Performance in a stage musical Todd McKenney Singin' in the Rain
Award for services to danceIan McRae
Award for dance on filmNo award

2001

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Lifetime achievement award Shirley McKechnie OAM [5] Professorial Fellow at the Victorian College of the Arts and has pioneered of Australian contemporary dance in
Outstanding Achievement in Dance EducationMargaret MarkhamFellow of the Australian College of Educators and founder of The McDonald College in 1984.
Outstanding achievement in choreography Graeme Murphy AM Tivoli Artistic director of the now Sydney Dance Company, choreographed over forty works and was awarded the OM for his services to dance in Australia.
Outstanding Performance by a Company The Australian Ballet and

Sydney Dance Company

Tivoli Choreographed by Graeme Murphy as a joint production
Outstanding Performance by an Individual Harry Haythorne Tivoli Sydney Dance Company
Outstanding Performance in a stage musicalTracey Carrodus Tivoli Sydney Dance Company
Award for services to dance Lucette Aldous Ballerina and an inspirational teacher and mentor to students at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
Award for dance on filmBoro's BalletDirected by Michelle Potter and Sally Jackson

Produced by ScreenSound Australia [21]
A documentary charting the work of choreographer Edouard Borovansky and the foundation of the Boronovsky Ballet

2000

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Lifetime achievement award Kira Bousloff OAM [5]
Outstanding Achievement in Dance EducationMartin Rubenstein OAM
Outstanding achievement in choreographyTed Bransden Carmen West Australian Ballet
Outstanding Performance by a Company The Australian Ballet In the Middle Somewhat ElevatedChoreographed by William Forsythe
Outstanding Performance by an Individual Steven Heathcote AM Don Quixote The Australian Ballet
Outstanding Performance in a stage musical Todd McKenney The Boy from Oz
Award for services to danceJulie DysonNational Executive Officer of the Australian Dance Council
Award for dance on filmNo award

1999

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Lifetime achievement awardKeith Bain OAM [5] Fulfilled roles as dancer, teacher and choreographer and administrator over five decades, founder the Dancer's Picnic
Outstanding Achievement in Dance EducationProfessor Susan StreetPerformer, choreographer, educator and administrator.
Outstanding achievement in choreography Leigh Warren Shimmer
Outstanding Performance by a Company Leigh Warren & Dancers Masterpieces of the 20th Century and

Shimmer

Outstanding Performance by an IndividualDelia SilvanSilent Cries Leigh Warren & Dancers
Outstanding Performance in a stage musical Caroline O'Connor Chicago A dancer, actress and singer in the London West End and Australia with roles in a number of classic stage musicals
Award for services to dance Kristian Fredrikson As a costume designer
Award for dance on filmRestorationDirection: Cordelia Beresford

Choreography & Performance: Narelle Benjamin and Solon Ulbrich

1998

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Lifetime achievement award [5] Margaret Scott OBE

Valrene Tweedie [22] OAM

Outstanding Achievement in Dance EducationJoan Halliday OAM and

Monica Halliday OAM

Outstanding achievement in choreography Dein Perry

Stephen Baynes

Outstanding Performance by an Individual Damien Welch

Djakapurra Munyarryun

Award for services to danceTony GeevesAuthor of Safe Dance I and II

1997

AwardRecipientWorkNotes
Lifetime achievement award [5] Elizabeth Cameron Dalman OAM

Laurel Martyn OBE

Outstanding Achievement in Dance EducationShirley McKechnie OAM

Ann Roberts


founder of Dancenorth
Outstanding achievement in choreography Stephen Page

Gideon Obarzanek

Artistic Director of Bangarra Dance Theatre

Artistic Director of Chunky Move

Award for services to danceJill Sykes AM

Dally Messenger

Dance writer of The Sydney Morning Herald

Founder of Dance Australia

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