The Melbourne Festival has been awarded the Contribution to Profile by a Community Organisation at Saturday night’s gala event for the 2016 Melbourne Awards at Melbourne Town Hall.
Now in its 14th year, the Melbourne Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations that make Melbourne such a unique place to live, visit and do business. The Contribution to Profile category celebrates projects or activities that have built Melbourne’s reputation as a centre for business, sport, entertainment, knowledge and culture.
On accepting the award, Melbourne Festival Artistic Director, Jonathan Holloway said “So soon after the success of the 2016 Festival, we are all thrilled and honoured to be receiving this acknowledgement of what Melbourne Festival brings to the profile of Melbourne and the lives of people in this incredible city.”
“I’d particularly like to acknowledge my predecessor, Josephine Ridge and congratulate the most unbelievable team at Melbourne Festival – and, of course, all of the artists and supporters.”
After celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2015, the 2016 Melbourne Festival ran from 6-23 October with over 60 events, many of which were free, 10 world premieres, 18 Australian premieres and events exclusive to Melbourne across 38 venues, from over 700 artists who call 17 countries home. While it is too early for final figures, the Festival looks to pass it’s box office target of $2.9m.
The Melbourne Awards celebrate significant achievements in the areas of Environmental Sustainability, Community, Profile and Multiculturalism, with subcategories to recognise corporations and community organisations within their respective fields. The independent judging panel for the 2016 Awards included 53 business and community leaders across a range of industry sectors. The 2016 Melbourne Award winners include:
2016 Melburnian of the Year
Neale Daniher AM
Contribution to Profile by a Corporation
Victorian Opera
Contribution to Community by a Corporation
Herald Sun / CityLink – Run for the Kids
Contribution to Community by a Community Organisation
Creativity Australia
Contribution to Environmental Sustainability by a Corporation
Zoos Victoria
Contribution to Environmental Sustainability by a Community Organisation
Market Forces
Contribution to Multiculturalism by a Corporation
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
Contribution to Multiculturalism by a Community Organisation
The Huddle
Image: Melbourne Festival Artistic Director Jonathan Holloway accepts the 2016 Award from Lord Mayor Robert Doyle (supplied)