2018 Drover Awards Winners Announced

Winners of the 2018 Drover Awards were announced on Thursday 6 September in the historic Pilbara town of Cossack at the closing celebration of the 32nd annual PAC Australia conference, Making Space.

PAC Australia's Drover Awards recognise excellence in the field of regional touring; acknowledging the companies that are committed to delivering performances to the millions of audience members in communities across Australia from Broome to Bendigo. The Drover Awards recognise both the massive operational commitment required, and the artistic determination to ensure that regional audiences have the opportunity to experience an extraordinary calibre of work.

PAC Australia congratulates the following winners of the 2018 Drover Awards.

2018 Drover Award 'Performing Arts Centre of the Year' - Capital Venues and Events - Bendigo

Other finalists for Performing Arts Centre of the Year: Geelong Performing Arts Centre; Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton; Orange Civic Theatre.

A multiple Drover Award nominee, The Capital has received wide recognition of its effort in supporting and developing the industry and providing consistently outstanding technical, customer and administrative support. The Capital recently welcomed Arena Theatre Company as its resident theatre company which is just one example of The Capital's approach to working with and support the performing arts industry. They have an enthusiasm and willingness to always go the extra mile when it comes to community engagement and audience development.

2018 Drover Award 'Tour of the Year' Circus Oz's - Model Citizens - Tour Producer: Circus Oz

Other finalists for 'Tour of the Year': Sensorium Theatre's Oddysea - Tour Producer: Performing Lines WA; ILBIJERRI Theatre Company's Coranderrk - Tour Producer: Regional Arts Victoria; shake & stir's Dracula - Tour Producer: shake & stir and arTour; CDP Theatre Producers' Mr Stink - Tour Producer: CDP Theatre Producers.

Model Citizens is the first production from Circus Oz Artistic Director, Rob Tannion. Model Citizens blends the risk and beauty of breath-taking physical improbability with theatricality, choreography and Circus Oz's distinct brand of Australian humour. Exposing circus skills in unconventional ways, Model Citizens explores what it really means to be a model citizen in today's 'model kit' society.

The production was supported by excellent marketing materials, seamless pre-planning with venues, and willingness to connect with the local community through workshops held prior to performances.

A third award, for the 'Touring Legend', was awarded to Circa.

Recognising an outstanding contribution to performing arts touring in Australia determined by expert industry professionals sitting on the PAC Australia Board of Management.

The PAC Australia Board noted the company's long commitment to developing and touring high quality circus and physical productions over many years. The company's continued contribution to the industry and genuine willingness to develop relationships and practices for the betterment of the industry at large was widely recognised and appreciated.

Executive Director of PAC Australia said, "This is a company that cares deeply about what they do and the people they do it with. They have shown leadership amongst Australian producers and so many people and organisations who come into contact with Circa remark on how good they are to work with."

"We hope this award goes some way to acknowledging and celebrating the efforts of Circa's dedication to the national performing arts industry."

PAC Australia's 32nd annual Performing Arts Conference, Making Space and the National Performing Arts Exchange (PAX) were held in Karratha, Western Australia Sunday 2 September - Thursday 6 September 2018.