New South Wales printer Offset Alpine Printing took top spot winning three gold awards at the National Print Awards, with Adams Print of Victoria and Collotype Labels Australia of SA both taking two of gold awards at the industry’s night of nights. National Print Awards chair Susan Heaney opened the 32nd the presentation dinner, held at the Waterview in Bicentennial Park, saying print is relevant in today’s digital world and that ‘exciting times lay ahead’. She says the National Print Awards has kept pace with a changing market, remaining a ‘beacon to those striving for excellence while constantly changing to reflect industry transformation’. “The awards are a testimony to the energy and commitment of each and every entrant, in particular those who take home a gold, silver or bronze medal tonight, and I congratulate them all,” Heaney told a packed room of industry people.
NPA 2015 Judges Award
Radio presenter Emma Freedman and Media Super’s Patrick Horneman were the hosts for the evening, where a total of 25 Gold, 37 Silver and 32 Bronze awards across 17 newly revised categories, were presented to the winners. Victoria won a total of 30 medals and New South Wales scored 27 medals with the two states taking seven Gold Awards apiece. South Australia won five Gold, Queensland three, WA two and Tasmania one of the top awards. NPA chairman of judges Luke Wooldridge presented the Judge’s Award for Excellence, which was awarded to WA’s Advance Press for ‘Rio Tinto 2014 Calender’. Designed by Marco Dabala, the calendar was handled in-house by Advance Press, who printed the job on White A Artboard from Spicers. Following the category awards the evening continued with the three Gold Sponsor awards, from Fuji Xerox, Heidelberg Australia and Currie Group. Chris Norgate from McKellar Renown Press took the Fuji Xerox Effectiveness Award for their entry ‘BMW Welcome Pack – 2014 Connected Edition’. Produced for designer One 20, the pack was printed by McKellar Renown on a combination of Knight Vellum, Hanno Art Silk, Sirio Transclucent and Fuji Xerox Presentation Film, supplied by KW Doggett Fine Paper, Spicers and Fuji Xerox. It was finished by McKellar Renown and Marvel Bookbinding, with embellishment done by Avon Graphics. Kelvin Gage from Dominion Print Group, NSW won the Heidelberg Australia Award for Excellence for his company’s entry, ‘What we mean when we say…’, which also took out a Gold Medal in the Self Promotion category earlier in the evening. The Currie Group Award for Brilliant Images in Print was awarded to perennial NPA gold medal winner Michael Warshall from Nulab, for their entry ‘Mens Shed Photography’. The book, designed by the client, Craig Wetjen, was digitally printed by Nulab on Flexbind Lustre from Holmberg. Nulab also handled the finishing.
Sean Thompson from NSW’s Webstar
Sean Thompson from NSW’s Webstar took the Media Super Young Executive of the Year award, which recognises young people within the industry who have been identified by their company and state bodies as being a current or future executive capable of driving their business and the wider industry. And the Media Super Industry Legend award, which recognises the contribution to print by an outstanding individual, was awarded to Malcolm Buckner of The Buckner Group, Queensland. Media Super CEO Graeme Russell says, “The Industry Legend award not only recognises those who have achieved success and longevity, but who have introduced innovative practices, demonstrated industry leadership, earned the respect of his or her peers and made a contribution to the community outside of the industry.” Chair of the judging panel Susan Heaney, also a Media Super director, says: “Malcolm has always maintained the staple practice of putting ink on paper while also diversifying into new territory including client print management, design, print and storage and multi-point distribution. “He has been a stalwart of Printing Industries throughout almost 37 years in the Industry, beginning with his involvement in the junior executives association of Queensland in 1979; election as JPE president in 1981 and as a PATEFA regional councillor in 1988. He was also elected and served as a Printing Industries national councillor from 1996 to 1997. “Malcolm is regarded as one of the most committed and longest serving honoraries of Printing Industries and had an active role across a wide range of association activities. These included complex industry negotiations with state and local government and the establishment of the inaugural Printing Industry Craftsmanship Awards (PICA) in the late 1990s.” As the winners were announced guests enjoyed a delicious meal and were treated to entertainment from one of Australia’s leading ladies of song, Wendy Matthews, who brought some of her memorable melodies to a soulful performance.
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