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.

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]

Award Recipient Work Notes
Lifetime Achievement Award Athol Willoughby OAM
Hall of Fame No inductees
Services to Dance Hilary Trotter
Services to Dance Education Katrina Rank
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Stephanie Lake Pile of Bones Stephanie Lake Company
Outstanding Achievement in Youth Dance Co3 Project NEXT
Outstanding Achievement in Community Dance Tracks Dance Man Made
Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New Media Sue Healey Eileen
Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Dance, Musicals or Physical Theatre Gravity & Other Myths BACKBONE
Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance Martin del Amo CHAMPIONS
Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer Jana Castillo construct
Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer Beau Dean Riley Smith Bennelong (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.

Award Recipient Work Notes
Lifetime Achievement Award Helen Herbertson[5]
Hall of Fame Noel Tovey AM
Services to Dance Jennifer Irwin
Services to Dance Education Kim Walker
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Lucy Guerin The Dark Chorus Lucy Guerin Inc.
Outstanding Achievement in Youth Dance Catapult Dance, The Flipside Project In Search of the Lost Things
Outstanding Achievement in Community Dance Liz Lea & collaborators Great 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 Media The Samaya Wives The 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 Dance Liesel Zink The Stance
Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer Ako Kondo Coppélia The Australian Ballet
Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer Benjamin Hancock The Dark Chorus Lucy 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.

Award Recipient Work Notes
Lifetime Achievement Award Terri Charlesworth[5]
Services to Dance Roy David Page
Services to Dance Education Dr Joan Pope OAM
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Lucy Guerin Motion Picture Lucy Guerin Inc.
Outstanding Achievement in Youth Dance Force Majeure & Powerhouse Youth Theatre Jump First, Ask Later
Outstanding Achievement in Community Dance Dancenorth Twilight Cheryl 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 Dance Sue Healey On View: Live Portraits
Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer Elma Kris Lore Bangarra Dance Theatre
Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer David Mack Frame of Mind Bangarra 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.

Award Recipient Work Notes
Outstanding Achievement in Youth Dance STEPS Youth Dance Company Fights & Flights
Outstanding Achievement in Community Dance Tracks Dance Company Milpirri (Jarda–Warnpa)
Services to Dance Education Tanya Pearson OAM
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Narelle Benjamin Hiding in Plain Sight
Hall of Fame Marilyn Jones and Dr Elizabeth Cameron Dalman OAM
Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New Media Claire Marshall Ward of State
Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Dance, Musicals or Physical Theatre Gravity & Other Myths A Simple Space
Services to Dance Jeff Busby
Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance Torque Show and Michelle Ryan with Lavender vs Rose Intimacy
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 Dancer Waangenga Blanco Patyegarang Bangarra 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]

Award Recipient Work Notes
Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance Buzz Dance Theatre Look The Other Way
Services to Dance Education Janet Karin OAM
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Stephanie Lake Aorta
Hall of Fame Gailene Stock AM CBE
Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New Media Sue Healey On View
Services to Dance Annie Grieg
Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance Dalia Pigram Gudirr Gudirr
Lifetime Achievement Award Leigh Warren[5]
Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer Leanne Stoymenov Cinderella The Australian Ballet
Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer Jame Vu Anh Pham Aorta Choreographed 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]

Award Recipient Work Notes
Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance Tracks Dance Company Eight to Eighty—Architecture of Age
Services to Dance Education Jackie Hallahan
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Rafael Bonachela 2 One Another Sydney Dance Company
Peggy Van Praagh Choreographic Fellowship Kay Armstrong
Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New Media Sue Healey Virtuosi
Services to Dance Shane Carroll
Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance Antony Hamilton Black Project 1
Lifetime Achievement Award Ronne Arnold[5]
Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer Charmene Yap 2 One Another Sydney Dance Company
Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer Kimball Wong Proximity 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]

Award Recipient Work Notes
Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance Shaun Parker and Company Captivate
Services to Dance Education Sarah Calver
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Natalie Weir R & J Expressions Dance Company
Peggy Van Praagh Choreographic Fellowship Stephanie Lake
Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film / New Media Bryan Mason & Sophie Hyde Life in Movement
Services to Dance Lucinda Sharp
Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance Barry Moreland & Daryl Brandwood HELIX
Lifetime Achievement Award Nanette Hassell[5]
Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer Elise May R & J Expressions Dance Company
Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer Daryl Brandwood HELIX
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]

Award Recipient Work Notes
Lifetime Achievement Award Robina Beard OAM[5]
Services to Dance Education Valda Craig
Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance QL2 Dance Hard Yards
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Rafael Bonachela 6 Breaths Sydney Dance Company
Outstanding Performance by a Company Expressions Dance Company Where the Heart Is
Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance Narelle Benjamin In Glass
Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer Amy Hollingsworth Irony of Fate Sydney Dance Company
Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer Daniel Gaudiello Coppelia The Australian Ballet
Outstanding Performance in a Stage Musical Alinta Chidzey West Side Story
Hall of Fame Keith Bain OAM
Award for Services to Dance Ruth Osborne Artistic 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]

Award Recipient Work Notes
Lifetime Achievement Award Bill Akers AM[5]
Services to Dance Stephen Page
Services to Dance Education Maggi Phillips
Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance Restless Dance Theatre Hard Yards
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Meryl Tankard & Paul White The Oracle
Outstanding Performance by a Company Bangarra Dance Theatre Fire – A Retrospective
Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance Sue Peacock Questions Without Notice
Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer Lana Jones Firebird The Australian Ballet
Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer Paul White The Oracle
Outstanding Performance in a Stage Musical Caroline O'Connor Chicago

2009

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

Award Recipient Work Notes
Lifetime Achievement Lucette Aldous[5]
Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education Jeff Meiners
Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance Tracks Inc STRUCK Awarded for the first time in 2009[15]
Outstanding Performance in a Stage Musical Nick 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 Dancer Kristina Chan construct choreographed by Tanja Liedtke
Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer Reed Luplau Sid's Waltzing Masquerade Sydney Dance Company
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Tanja Liedtke (posthumous) construct
Award for Dance on Film Chris Scherer If The Shoe Fits
Award for Services to Dance Lee Christofis A 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]

Award Recipient Work Notes
Lifetime Achievement Paul Hammond OAM[5]
Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education Helen 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 & Sadness Choreographed by Lucy Guerin
Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance Shaun Parker This Show Is About People Produced by Marguerite Pepper Productions
Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer Lucinda Dunn Don Quixote The Australian Ballet
Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer Paul White Honour Bound[17] Choreographed by Garry Stewart
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Garry Stewart Honour Bound Commissioned by Sydney Opera House & Malthouse Theatre
Award for Dance on Film Sue Healey Will Time Tell Produced 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]

Award Recipient Work Notes
Lifetime Achievement Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon[5]
Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education Buzz Dance Theatre
Award for Services to Dance Hilary Crampton
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Tanja Liedtke Twelfth Floor
Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance Clare Dyson Churchill's Black Dog
Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer Kristina Chan Twelfth Floor Tanja Liedtke Co.
Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer Byron Perry Headlock Kage Physical Theatre
Outstanding Performance by a Company Australian Dance Theatre Devolution by Garry Stewart
Award for Dance on Film Sam James & Julie-Anne Long Nun'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]

Award Recipient Work Notes
Lifetime Achievement Award Kathryn Lowe[5]
Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education Jenny Kinder
Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer Margrete Helgeby Aqueous
Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer Dein Perry Tap Dogs
Outstanding Performance by a Company Force Majeure Already Elsewhere Choreographed by Kate Champion
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Wendy Houstoun, Narelle Benjamin, Brian Carbee, Julie-Anne Long & Michael Whaites


Graeme Murphy

In the Dark

Grand

Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance Julie-Anne Long The Nun's Picnic
Award for Services to Dance Mark Gordon
Award for Dance Film Gina Czarnecki Nascent Choreographed 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

Award Recipient Work Notes
Lifetime achievement award Julie 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 Education Michelle Saunders General Manager of STEPS Youth Dance Company
Outstanding achievement in choreography Frances Rings Unaipon Bangarra Dance Theatre
Outstanding Performance by a Company Australian Dance Theatre Held Choreographed by Garry Stewart.
Outstanding Performance by a female dancer Larissa McGowan Held Australian Dance Theatre
Outstanding Performance by a male dancer Patrick 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 dance No award
Award for dance on film I Dream of Augustine Concept & Direction: Cordelia Beresford

Choreography & Performance: Narelle Benjamin

2003

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

Award Recipient Work Notes
Lifetime achievement award Cheryl Stock[5] As a performer, choreographer, artistic director, advocate, researcher, academic, and leader in tertiary dance education
Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education Keith Bain OAM
Outstanding achievement in choreography Graeme Murphy AM Swan Lake Sydney Dance Company
Outstanding Performance by a Company Sydney Dance Company Underland Choreographed by Graeme Murphy.
Outstanding Performance by a female dancer Simone Goldsmith Swan Lake The Australian Ballet
Outstanding Performance by a male dancer Bradley Chatfield Underland Sydney Dance Company
Outstanding Performance in a stage musical Joshua Horner Tivoli Sydney Dance Company
Outstanding achievement in independent dance Helen Herbertson and Ben Cobham Morphia Series (Delirium and Morphia)
Award for services to dance Michelle Potter
Award for dance on film Sue Healey Fine Line

2002

Award Recipient Work Notes
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 Unbeauty Choreographed by Garry Stewart.
Outstanding Performance by a female dancer Roz Hervey Same Same but Different Force Majeure
Outstanding Performance by a male dancer Dean Walsh The Age of Unbeauty Australian Dance Theatre
Outstanding Performance in a stage musical Todd McKenney Singin' in the Rain
Award for services to dance Ian McRae
Award for dance on film No award

2001

Award Recipient Work Notes
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 Education Margaret Markham Fellow 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 musical Tracey 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 film Boro's Ballet Directed 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

Award Recipient Work Notes
Lifetime achievement award Kira Bousloff OAM[5]
Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education Martin Rubenstein OAM
Outstanding achievement in choreography Ted Bransden Carmen West Australian Ballet
Outstanding Performance by a Company The Australian Ballet In the Middle Somewhat Elevated Choreographed 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 dance Julie Dyson National Executive Officer of the Australian Dance Council
Award for dance on film No award

1999

Award Recipient Work Notes
Lifetime achievement award Keith Bain OAM[5] Fulfilled roles as dancer, teacher and choreographer and administrator over five decades, founder the Dancer's Picnic
Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education Professor Susan Street Performer, 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 Individual Delia Silvan Silent 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 film Restoration Direction: Cordelia Beresford

Choreography & Performance: Narelle Benjamin and Solon Ulbrich

1998

Award Recipient Work Notes
Lifetime achievement award[5] Margaret Scott OBE

Valrene Tweedie[22] OAM

Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education Joan 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 dance Tony Geeves Author of Safe Dance I and II

1997

Award Recipient Work Notes
Lifetime achievement award[5] Elizabeth Cameron Dalman OAM

Laurel Martyn OBE

Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education Shirley 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 dance Jill Sykes AM

Dally Messenger

Dance writer of The Sydney Morning Herald

Founder of Dance Australia

References

  1. ^ Australian Dance Awards, The (1997 – ) at Australia Dancing
  2. ^ a b "About". Australian Dance Awards. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  3. ^ Francis, Hannah (12 December 2019). "Ausdance National to stay open after members rally". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  4. ^ "2018 Awards – 21st Australian Dance Awards". australiandanceawards.net.au. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Australian Dance Awards: Lifetime achievement award at Australian Dance Awards website
  6. ^ "2014 Australian Dance Awards winners". Archived from the original on 13 June 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  7. ^ "2013 Australian Dance Awards winners". Archived from the original on 13 June 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  8. ^ "2012 Australian Dance Awards winners". Archived from the original on 26 April 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  9. ^ "Winners of the 2011 Australian Dance Awards, 21 July 2011". Archived from the original on 4 September 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  10. ^ Neil Pigot to host the Australian Dance Awards, Australian Stage, 10 June 2010 15:22
  11. ^ "Winners of the 2010 Australian Dance Awards". Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  12. ^ 2010 Australian Dance Award Winners Announced, Australian Stage, Monday, 21 June 2010 10:14
  13. ^ 2009 Australian Dance Awards winners announced Australian Stage, Monday, 8 June 2009
  14. ^ a b Bittersweet dance awards remember lost friend, 8 June 2009, Sydney Morning Herald
  15. ^ 2009 Australian Dance Awards Winners, (Tuesday, 9 June 2009), ArtsHub
  16. ^ 2008 Australian Dance Award Winners Announced, Australian Stage, Sunday, 15 June 2008
  17. ^ Valerie Lawson, Work about Hicks a runaway success, (16 June 2008), Sydney Morning Herald
  18. ^ 2006 Australian Dance Award – Winners at Ausdance NSW[permanent dead link]
  19. ^ The Winners of the 2005 Australian Dance Awards at Ausdance NSW[permanent dead link]
  20. ^ The Dance Awards 2003[permanent dead link]
  21. ^ New Release Video Captures Historic Ballet Company Boro's Ballet: The Making Of An Australian Ballet[permanent dead link] National Film and Sound Archive press release
  22. ^ "Australia Dancing – Tweedie, Valrene (1925–2008)". Archived from the original on 24 March 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2010.((cite web)): CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

External links

Dance
Categories