Bob Lamont, NSW executive officer of the LIA says the event, which was drew 85 attendees from every mainland state, was important in order to throw support behind the outstanding individuals coming up in the industry.

He says, “Every year we tend to say that these winners are the best ones but this year there is no doubt about it. All the finalists’ entries made the judges’ job extremely difficult. Judges found they had to spend a lot of time on graduate submissions and interviews in order to determine a winner.”

Lamont continues, “It was a little disappointing with the support of local industry not a great as we would have hoped but it was somewhat understandable because of the economic situation and there being so many events in the industry calendar this time of year. At the next ceremony in 2011 we will have a closer look at the timing.”

Anna Moran, 25 who is employed by the Department of Lands NSW in prepress received a $15,000 scholarship as part of her award, which will go towards furthering her education in the printing industry.

Pascale Yeates, 25 employed by Y Media in Victoria and also in prepress, will receive funding and support to attend an international tradeshow, either Ipex in 2010 or drupa in 2012, as part of her award.

Meanwhile, judging for the 2009 graduates has been completed at the state level, with state award winners to be announced at ceremonies next year with the next national awards to be held in 2011.

Other finalists included: Nicole Phelps, Douglas Mawson Institute of TAFE (SA); Aaron Sellers, Collotype Labels (SA); Tim Bright, Carter Holt Harvey (NSW); Brenton Hall, PMP (WA); Ben Rodd, Uniprint (WA); Karen Dovaston, Custom Printing Service (Vic); David Betts, Printpoint Australia (QLD) and Gareth Waldrone, GT Print and Desgn (QLD).

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