Celebrating an individual or organisation, the ‘Outstanding Achievement & Contribution to Theatre’ Award recognises significant involvement with and support of the Hunter Region’s Theatre Community, usually over a period of many years. It is an opportunity to acknowledge those who have made an impact in their chosen field or whose work may not fit into any of the other award categories.
CONDA Inc has determined to extend the eligibility for nomination in this category to include written submissions put forward by members of the Hunter Region’s Theatre Community.
ELIGIBILITY
For the CONDA judges to consider an individual or organisation eligible for this award, the following must be satisfied:
- Lodgement by the specified closing date, either by a third party or by the nominee themselves, of a legitimate and factual written submission which strictly meets the submission requirements.
- The nominated individual or organisation is known to the judges and considered by, at least, three of the five judges to meet the award criteria.
- False or misleading information will render a submission void.
- A person or organisation may receive this award only once.
JUDGING PROCESS
All nominations will remain anonymous. Written nominations received after the due date will not be considered. A CONDA judge may nominate candidates of their own choosing, for consideration by the judging panel, at least one week prior to the judging day.
JUDGING CRITERIA
To select a winner, the panel of judges will seek evidence of the following:
- The individual or organisation has made consistently strong and meaningful contributions to the Hunter Region’s Theatre Community for a number of years. This could include (but is not limited to) a strong contribution to theatre education, developing new works, significant contributions in one or more of the other CONDA Award categories, and/or providing considerable support to one or more theatrical companies.
- The individual or organisation has contributed substantial time and expertise to help shape our Newcastle Theatre community, e.g., by leading dramatic organisations or networks, serving on relevant boards or committees, and/or mentoring others.
- In the judging year, they continued to make a significant contribution to the Newcastle theatrical community in terms of their body of work.
Previous Winners
1986 — Derrick Cox & Brent McGregor
1987 — Rohan Cattell
1988 — Hunter Opera and Teresa Conicella, Richard Davies & Peter Ross — tie
1989 — Don McEwen
1990 — Freewheels Theatre
1991 — Newcastle Repertory Club
1992 — Brian Joyce
1993 — Kingston Anderson
1994 — Amanda Helmers
1995 — Opera Hunter
1996 — 2 Til 5 Youth Theatre
1997 — Ross Fiddes & Paul Kavanagh
1998 — Wendy Ratcliffe
1999 — Two Weeks with the Queen
2000 — Mark Reedman
2001 — Carl Caulfield
2002 — Shakespeare et al
2003 — David Brown
2004 — Dan Flanagan
2005 — The University of Newcastle
2006 — Jason King
2007 — Anne Frost
2008 — Steven Harrison
2009 — Brendan O’Connell
2010 — Teresa Conicella
2011 — Fr Chris & Meri Bird
2012 — Carl Young
2013 — Lesley Stevenson
2014 — Don Mitchell
2015 — Wendy Leis
2016 — Julie Black
2017 — Greg Paterson
2018 — Out of the Square Media
2019 — Graham Black
2020 — Riley McLean
2021 — Ken Longworth
2022 — Daniel Stoddart
2023 — Mercia Buck
2024 — Jacob Harwood
2025 — John McFadden
WRITTEN SUBMISSION
Complete the online written submission form - here. This form can be edited after submission.
Here is an outline of the questions provided in the online form:
- Nominee's full name (with correct spelling).
- Has the nominee been the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement award in the past?
- How many years, approximately, has this person or organisation been involved in the Newcastle Theatre Community?
- In 500 words or less, please outline why you think this person or organisation has made a consistently strong and meaningful contribution to the Newcastle Theatre Community.
- Briefly outline or list the projects and/or organisations the nominee has served and/or their body of work.
- Please supply any supporting documents (newspaper articles, videos, etc.) you feel are relevant to your submission.
- Is this person or a representative from the nominated organisation planning to attend the CONDA Ceremony?
Submissions close October 25th.