Victorian printers have celebrated their night of nights in style at the Melbourne PICA presentation, with a parade of winners and celebrity entertainers partying in the name of brighter times for print. Trevor Hone, chairman of PICA Victoria, says, “I believe the challenges which have chilled us over the past few years are behind us and we are starting to see some blue sky again. What has been encouraging to see as this year progressed is an increasingly positive attitude and a renewed determination to rise to future challenges with innovation and energy. The mood of the industry seems to be lifting.”

Danielle Spicer from Blue Star Digital (left), winner of the 2013 Media Super Future Leaders Award with Scott LaFerlita from Media Super

Both familiar faces and newcomers claimed prizes across the 37 categories. Big winners of the night include Mulgrave-based Eastern Press, which took home three bronze, one silver and six gold awards. Adams Print scored the judge’s award for a case-bound book produced for Macmillan Publishers Australia entitled ‘The Extraordinary Life of Sir Charles Lloyd Jones’, described by Graeme Barnes, chairman of the judging panel, as ‘a worthy recipient’. Adams also came away with one bronze, four silver and three gold awards, while Braeside-based Picpress picked up five bronzes, two silvers and three gold medals. Pandora’s Boxes was also honoured with the Currie Group award for innovative imaging in printing, awarded to a boxed book designed by Australia Post called ‘The Colonial Heritage Collection’.

Chuffed: Cormac Deffely from Eastern Press (left) with Peter Manley from Heidelberg

The Media Super Young Achievers Award, which recognises young employees who show promise as future industry leaders, went to Danielle Spicer from Blue Star Digital. Judges say Spicer is “someone who we are confident will make an ongoing and valuable contribution to the industry for many years to come.” She began her career in 2009 on a black and white Nuvera digital press, and is now regarded as one of the company’s premier operators.   The 2013 gold Victorian PICA winners are: • Adams Print – book printing (case bound); book printing (limp bound); one, two or three colour printing • AFI Branding – digital printing (inkjet); digital printing (wide format) • Avon Graphics – embellishment • Bambra Press – calendars; booklets, catalogues and magazines (not saddle stitched) • Eastern Press – leaflets; presentation folders; postcards and greeting cards; annual reports or prospectus; packaging (folding cartons and boxes); commercial posters, showcards, card constructions and mobiles • Fantastick Label Company – labels (not offset) • Hannanprint – web offset printing (heat set) • Intelligent Media – limited edition • Labelhouse – labels (offset) • Marilyn & Sons – design • M&M Binders – print finishing (machine finished) • McKellar Renown Press – stationery; specialty, including security printing • Mercedes Waratah – self promotion; multi piece productions and campaigns, including direct mail; packaging – all other, including display stands • Pandora’s Boxes – limited edition; design • Picpress – book printing (digital); digital printing (non inkjet); print finishing (hand finished) • Print 2 Metal – innovation • RA Printing – booklets, catalogues and magazines (saddle stitched) • Sovereign Press – small printing business award, less than 15 staff

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