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Award and Nomination History

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Award context

VDL Awards

The Victorian Drama League (VDL) is a community organisation supporting community theatre in Victoria.

The VDL’s mission is to support community theatre in Victoria and act as a hub for bringing like-minded theatre people together. It was established in 1952 and currently has over 400 members who all share a common love of theatre and includes individuals, theatre companies, schools and play reading groups. While the majority of its members are from Victoria, it has a growing membership base in all states and territories across Australia.

The VDL offers a variety of services and resources to its members to support this mutual love of theatre including hosting the annual VDL Awards event. The VDL awards are the only Victorian state drama awards covering the entire state for non-musical theatre. One production can be entered per year, per company.

BNT Community Awards

Established in 2024, the BNT community awards are internal company awards.

After a year of exceptional work from our community, we established a new way of acknowledging the valued input of our members. The awards were decided by the BNT board from the BNT members who have made outstanding contributions throughout the year and recognises members who have gone above the average in their volunteer role.

This sometimes took the form of performance in multiple productions, stepping into a last-minute or new volunteer role, or extensive support so that others could fulfil their roles more easily. Awards are presented before the commencement of the AGM.

Note that these do not recognise acting performance, which was previously acknowledged through BNT's "BJ" awards.

Webby Awards

Established in 1996, the Webby Awards (colloquially referred to as the Webbys) are awards for excellence on the Internet presented annually by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a judging body composed of over three thousand industry experts and technology innovators. Categories include websites, advertising and media, online film and video, mobile sites and apps, and social media. Two winners are selected in each category, one by members of The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, and one by the public who cast their votes during Webby People's Voice voting. Each winner presents a five-word acceptance speech, a trademark of the annual awards show.

RSSS

The Royal South Street Society (RSSS) is a Ballarat Eisteddfod which currently runs throughout June to October each year. The Eisteddfod includes 11 theatrical disciplines of voice, music, and movements, providing some 40,000+ on-stage performance opportunities for artists from all over Australia and is conducted in quality venues throughout the Ballarat region, including the stunning historical Her Majesty’s Theatre, The Ballarat Mechanics Institute, ACU Connors Hall and more.

The Royal South Street Society is overseen by a volunteer Board, A small office team organise and promote the annual Eisteddfod, assisted by up to 200 volunteers as Discipline Chairs, committee members, ushers, security, writers, timers, back-stage crew, stage managers, and MCs.

The RSSS was established in 1891 and has previously included radio play and one act play sections.

Encore Awards

The Encore Awards were established in 1985 by the Ballarat Courier and 3BA (instigated by Garry West) and ran until 1998.

The awards were for all Ballarat theatre companies and were intended to nurture Ballarat talent, build community awareness of our own local performers and the role in providing local entertainment.

Bruce Jackson "BJ" Awards

Bruce Jackson was a board member of both BNT and the local Ballarat TV station BTV6, who passed away in the 1970s. In his honour, performers in BNT productions were recognised annually at the BTV6 Bruce Jackson Memorial Awards. The BJ's were later combined into the Encore Awards ceremony and dinner, still acknowledging BNT performers, but combining the celebration and ceremony of the BJs and Encores in one night, presenting them at the Encores.

2025

Persuasion Podcast

Directed by Liana Emmerson

2025 Webby Awards are awarded annually by the the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences.

As a Nominee in the 29th Annual Webby Awards, this podcast has been selected as one of five in its category. Out of the nearly 13,000 projects submitted from around the world, it is among the top 12%. 

  • Nominee

    PODCASTS - SCRIPTED (FICTION)

    Persuasion by Jane Austen
Vote for Persuasion in the People's Choice category

BNT Community Awards

Presented at the 2025 AGM

Members who have made outstanding contributions throughout 2024, who have gone above the average in their volunteer role

  • Contributions to Performance

  • Belle Silvey
  • Christine Holmes
  • Charlotte Peters

  • Contributions to Production

  • Tessa Marshall
  • Ruby Penhall
  • Tony Potter
  • Kiran D'Costa
  • Shell Pryor
  • Sarah Barlow
  • Jay Perrett
  • Elizabeth Bradford
  • Philippa Elder
  • Alix Roberts
read about the 2025 community awards

2024

Dancing at Lughnasa

Directed by Mary-Rose McLaren

2024 Victorian Drama League Awards

  • Adjudicators Award

    Representing the epitome of teamwork in theatre

    Ruby Abbott
  • Nominated

    BEST COSTUME DESIGN in a COMEDY or DRAMA

    Janette Wotherspoon
  • Silver Awardee

    BEST SET DESIGN in a COMEDY or DRAMA

    Mary-Rose McLaren
  • Silver Awardee

    BEST LIGHTING DESIGN in a COMEDY or DRAMA

    Matthew Heenan and Tayla Harbour
  • Nominated

    BEST ACTRESS in SUPPORTING ROLE in a DRAMA

    Maggie Mundy: Played by Liana Emmerson
read about the 2024 VDL awards

BNT Community Awards

Presented at the 2024 AGM

Members who have made outstanding contributions throughout 2023, who have gone above the average in their volunteer role

  • Contributions to Production

  • Shell Pryor
  • Ruby Penhall
  • Jack Brown
  • Rhonda Huckel
  • Jess Hillman
  • Alexandra Meerbach
  • Michelle Bosher
  • Charlie Hughes

  • Contributions to Performance

  • Clementine Sawyer
  • Lyka Fox
  • Matt Peavey
  • Lei Reid
  • Olivia French
  • Joe Appleton
read about the 2024 community awards

2023

Terry Pratchett's: Wyrd Sisters

Directed by Liana Emmerson

2023 Victorian Drama League Awards

  • Gold Awardee

    BEST COMEDY PRODUCTION

  • Gold Awardee

    BEST DIRECTOR of a COMEDY Production

    Liana Emmerson
  • Gold Awardee

    BEST ACTOR IN A MINOR ROLE IN A COMEDY

    Vitoller & Death: Played by Barry Kay
  • Nominated

    BEST ACTOR IN A MINOR ROLE IN A COMEDY

    Tomjon: Played by James Wait
  • Nominated

    BEST ACTOR IN A MINOR ROLE IN A COMEDY

    Sergeant: Played by Jack Brown
  • Nominated

    BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS in a COMEDY

    Magrat Garlick: Played by Ruby Penhall
  • Nominated

    BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR in a COMEDY

    The Duchess: Played by Reuben Morgan
  • Nominated

    BEST ACTOR in a COMEDY

    The Fool: Played by Joe Appleton
  • Nominated

    BEST SET DESIGN in a COMEDY or a DRAMA

    Liana Emmerson
  • Nominated

    BEST LIGHTING DESIGN in a COMEDY or a DRAMA

    Matthew Heenan and Tayla Harbour
  • Silver Awardee

    BEST SOUND DESIGN in a COMEDY or a DRAMA

    Charlie Hughes
  • Silver Awardee

    BEST COSTUME DESIGN in a COMEDY or a DRAMA

    Liana Emmerson
  • Nominated

    BEST PROPERTIES DESIGN in a COMEDY or a DRAMA

    Shell Pryor
read about the 2023 VDL awards

2022

Mr Bennet's Bride

Directed by Megan J Riedl

2022 Victorian Drama League Awards

  • Gold Awardee

    BEST ACTOR IN A MINOR ROLE IN A COMEDY

    Mr Benedict Collins: Played by Shannon Nicholls
  • Nominated

    BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS in a COMEDY

    Mrs Sarah Gardiner/Mrs Graves: Played by Lynette Plenderlieth
read about the 2022 VDL awards

2021

Pride & Prejudice Podcast

Directed by Liana Emmerson

25th Annual Webby Awards

  • Webby Award Honoree

    (Limited Series Podcast - Scripted Fiction)

    Pride and Prejudice Podcast
more about this production

2019

Speaking in Tongues

Directed by Dan West

2019 Victorian Drama League Awards

  • Nominated

    BEST DIRECTOR of a DRAMA Production

    Dan West
  • Nominated

    BEST SOUND DESIGN in a COMEDY or a DRAMA

    Dan West
  • Nominated

    BEST SET DESIGN in a COMEDY or a DRAMA

    Katrina Hill and Dan West
  • Silver Awardee

    BEST LIGHTING DESIGN in a COMEDY or a DRAMA

    Matt Henderson
more about this production

2018

Mr Bailey’s Minder

Directed by Linda Davey

2018 Victorian Drama League Awards

  • Gold Awardee

    BEST SET DESIGN in a COMEDY or a DRAMA

    Doug Bennett
  • Nominated

    BEST LIGHTING DESIGN in a COMEDY or a DRAMA

    Liam Mudge
  • Nominated

    BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS in a DRAMA

    Tahanyth Webster-Otto as 'Margo Bailey'
  • Nominated

    BEST ACTOR in a DRAMA

    Michael Croome as 'Leo Bailey'
more about this production

2012

RSSS One Act Play Festival

  • Best Support Female Actor

    Katrina Hill

    Ballarat National Theatre
view all results

2011

Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival

Following Heads and Tails (this year's Season of Shorts) we took two of the plays 'ON TOUR' to various One Act Play festivals. (Being a monologue Bed Among the Lentils didn't qualify).

The Mount Macedon Festival

  • WINNER

    Alex McLaren

    Most Promising Performer Award

Ararat Festival

  • WINNER

    Liesl Vanderkley

    Best Actress
  • Third Prize

    The Right Person

    Best Production

Her Majesty's Festival

  • Nominations

    tbc

    tbc

Kyneton Festival

  • WINNER

    Liesl Vanderkley

    Best Actress
  • WINNER

    The Right Person

    Best Costume, Props and Settings
  • Third Prize

    The Right Person

    Best Production
  • Nomination

    Hedley Thomson

    Best Director
more about this production

2010

RSSS One Act Play Festival

This annual festival is part of a state-wide group of festivals.
Unlike some other companies, who mainly produce One-Act plays for the festival circuit, the main thrust for BNT is our four seasons at the Courthouse Theatre. However as co-presenters (with the Royal South Street Society) of the Festival at HMT we obviously try to include at least one entry ourselves.
So, over the last few years, we have made our second production of the year a 'season of short'. As our supporters will know this year this season was entitled Quarters and consisted of four Australian comedies written and directed by Peter Nethercote.
As we expect other companies to bring their productions to Ballarat we feel somewhat obliged to try and enter ours in other festivals if possible. Some of them are too early in the year for us to have anything ready and others are either too far away or too long after our own.
For logistic reasons two of the plays from Quarters were not available, so we decided to take just 'Flatmates' and 'Bedmates' on tour. Both plays were seen at the Macedon festival and at HMT whilst just 'Flatmates' was also seen at the Ararat festival.
Over the last few years the adjudicators have been encouraged to give brief comments at the end of each session and then, prior to announcing the final winners to indicate their 'Nominations' for each category.
Here are details of the results for BNT's entries this year.

Macedon

  • Nomination

    Flatmates

    Best Production
  • Nomination

    Jane Gaylor

    Best Female Support
  • Nomination

    Janette Baxter

    Best Female Support
  • Nomination

    Martin McGettigan

    Best Male Support
  • Winner

    Leticia Frost

    Adjudicators Award

Ararat

  • Nomination

    Jane Gaylor

    Best Actress
  • Winner

    Janette Baxter

    Best Supporting Player

Her Majesty's Theatre

  • Nomination

    Janette Baxter

    Best Female Support
  • Winner

    Reg Mowat

    Best Actor
view all results

2008

RSSS One Act Play Festival

  • Best Supporting Player - Female

    Linda Ogier

    Ballarat National Theatre - A Resounding Tinkle
view all results

The Mount Players One Act Play Festival

  • WINNER

    Youth Encouragement Award

    Ballarat National Theatre - (play unnamed)
  • WINNER

    Adjudicators Award

    Ballarat National Theatre - (play unnamed)
view all results

TMP OAPF 2008 2

View

TMP OAPD 2008

View

2007

The Mount Players One Act Play Festival

  • Best Director

    Julian Oldfield

    Ballarat National Theatre - 'Albert'
  • Player with Most Potential

    Liam Mudge, 

    Ballarat National Theatre - 'Albert' as “Nico"
view all results

2006

The Mount Players One Act Play Festival

  • Runner Up

    Best Play

    Ballarat National Theatre (play unnamed)

2004

RSSS One Act Play Festival

  • Best Female Actor - Other Than Leading Role

    Jill Dunn

    Ballarat National Theatre
  • Best Costumed Play

    (play not listed)

    Ballarat National Theatre
view all results

Ararat One Act Play Festival

  • First Prize

    (play not listed)

    Ballarat National Theatre
  • Best Youth Play

    (play not listed)

    Ballarat National Theatre

Ararat OAPF 2004 2

View

Ararat OAPF 2004

View

2003

RSSS One Act Play Festival

  • Best Support Actor Male

    Leon Hanrahan

    Ballarat National Theatre
  • Youth Drama Award

    Eleanor Jones

    Ballarat National Theatre Young Stagers
view all results

2002

RSSS One Act Play Festival

  • Best Play - 1st Place

    The Dumb Waiter

    Ballarat National Theatre
  • Best Play - 3rd Place

    Waiting Room

    Ballarat National Theatre
  • Best Male Actor

    Leon Hanrahan

    Ballarat National Theatre - Gus in The Dumb Waite
view all results

1997

Encore Awards

1997 Encore Awards

  • WINNER

    Best Play

    Habeas Corpus
more about Habeas Corpus

1995

Encore Awards

1995 Encore Awards

  • WINNER

    Jenny Tudor

    Best Actress in a Play
  • WINNER

    Karl Hatton

    Best Actor in a Play
  • WINNER

    Bob Thurman

    Best Supporting Actor in a Play
  • WINNER

    Sallie Burke-Muller

    Best Supporting Actress in a Play
  • WINNER

    Mick Zala

    Best Male Cameo

1994

RSSS Speech and Drama

  • 1st Place

    Nunsense

    Ballarat National Theatre
view all results

RSSS One Act Play Festival

view all results

Encore Awards

1994 Encore Awards

  • WINNER

    Best Play

    Steel Magnolias
  • WINNER

    Karl Hatton

    Best Supporting Actor (play)
  • WINNER

    Dannielle Hill

    Best Supporting Actress (play)
  • WINNER

    Jim Brown

    Best Male Cameo
  • WINNER

    Fay Scetrine

    Best Female Cameo
  • WINNER

    Norman Harman

    Best Actor (play)
  • WINNER

    Marie Lyons

    Best Actress (play)
  • WINNER

    David Collyer

    Wavie Williams/ Bruce Jackson Award for services to the theatre
  • WINNER

    Company of the Year

    Ballarat National Theatre
more about Steel Magnolias

Did you know

The brass statuette of the Encore Awards and the Burce Jackson Awards was made locally by Jim Muller? Jim worked in a foundry so was able to make customer figures for the trophies.

1992

RSSS One Act Play Festival

view all results

1991

Encore Awards

1991 Encore Awards

  • WINNER

    Best Play

    Travelling North
more about Travelling North

1990

Encore Awards

7 March

1990 Encore Awards

  • NOMINATION

    Best Actress (non-musical)

    Liz Gurrie - Brighton Beach Memoirs
  • NOMINATION

    Best Actress (non-musical)

    Pam Maiden - Brighton Beach Memoirs
  • WINNER

    Best Actress (non-musical)

    Jill Dunn - Noises Off
  • NOMINATION

    Best Actor (non-musical)

    Bruce Widdop - Brighton Beach Memoirs
  • NOMINATION

    Best Actor (non-musical)

    Sean Gunn - Brighton Beach Memoirs
  • NOMINATION

    Best Actor (musical)

    Stephen O'Neill - The Boy Friend
  • WINNER

    Best Actor (non-musical)

    Fred Fargher - Noises Off
  • NOMINATION

    Best Actress (musical)

    Carolyn Veal - The Boy Friend
  • NOMINATION

    Best Female Support (musical)

    Sonja Kinnersly - The Boy Friend
  • NOMINATION

    Best Female Support (non-musical)

    Maureen Addenbrooke - Noises Off
  • WINNER

    Best Female Support (non-musical)

    Fiona Hanrahan - Brighton Beach Memoirs
  • NOMINATION

    Best Male Support (non-musical)

    Phillip Hobson - Noises Off
  • WINNER

    Best Male Support (non-musical)

    Peter Eyers - Brighton Beach Memoirs
  • NOMINATION

    Best Musical

    The Boy Friend
  • NOMINATION

    Best Non-Musical

    Noises Off
  • WINNER

    Best Non-Musical

    Brighton Beach Memoirs
  • WINNER

    Best Newcomer

    Simon Maiden - Brighton Beach Memoirs
  • WINNER

    Company of the Year

    Ballarat National Theatre

Read more about

Brighton Beach Memoirs
The Boy Friend
Noises Off

1987

Encore Awards

Saturday, 21 November

1987 Encore Awards

  • WINNER

    Wendy Holgate

    Wavie Williams Memorial Award for outstanding contribution to local theatre

1983

Bruce Jackson Awards

29 Feb 1983

The 14th Annual Bruce Jackson Awards

  • WINNER

    Joy Smith Annual Design Award for Best Set

    John Williams - A Man For All season
  • WINNER

    Best Performances in a Supporting Role

    Marie Lyons - Confusions
  • WINNER

    Best Performances in a Supporting Role

    John Garland - A Man For All Seasons
  • WINNER

    Best Actress

    Marilyn Chestnut - Toad of Toad Hall
  • WINNER

    Best Actor

    Bruce Widdop - The Importance of Being Earnest
  • WINNER

    Special Services Award

    John Stapp

1982

1981

1980

Bruce Jackson Awards

  • WINNER

    Pat Earnshaw

    Best Performance In A Supporting Role
  • WINNER

    Iain Christie

    Best Actor
  • WINNER

    Wendy Holgate

    Best Actress
  • WINNER

    Ian Page

    Best Set Design

1979

1978

1977

1976

IMG 2913

IMG 2922

1974

1967

RSSS Plays and Speech Section

1966

RSSS Plays and Speech Section

  • 3rd Place

    Best Play

    Ballarat National Theatre "Pygmalion"

1965

RSSS Plays and Speech Section

  • 2nd Place

    Best Play

    Ballarat National Theatre "You Can't Take It With You"

1964

RSSS Plays and Speech Section

  • 1st Place

    Best Play

    Ballarat National Theatre "A Play for Ronnie"

1959

RSSS Speech and Dramatic Art

  • 2nd Place

    Best One Act Play

    "Mulga Episode" by National Theatre Ballarat
  • Honourable Mention

    One Act Play (not less than 3 performers)

    "Birrahlee" Ballarat National Theatre
  • 3rd Place

    Best Play (not less than 3 performers)

    "The Heiress" Ballarat National Theatre

1958

RSSS Speech and Dramatic Art

  • 3rd Place

    Best One Act Play

    Ballarat Branch National Theatre Group (play unnamed)

1957

RSSS Speech and Dramatic Art

One Act Plays

  • Honourable Mention

    Best One Act Play

    "Ile" Ballarat Branch, National Theatre Movement

1956

RSSS Speech and Dramatic Art

  • 2nd Place

    Best One Act Play

    "Red Queen White Queen"
  • 3rd Place

    Best Play

    "September Tide" National Theatre Movement Ballarat

1955

RSSS Speech and Dramatic Art

  • 2nd Place

    Best Play

    "The First Mrs Fraser" Ballarat Branch National Theatre Movement

1954

At Dusk

Directed by Brenda Dowling

1954 Camperdown Play Festival

  • Winner

    Best Play

    At Dusk

Maryborough Drama Festival (Victorian Drama League Regional)

  • Second Place

    Best Play

    At Dusk
more about this production

1953

RSSS Speech and Dramatic Art

  • 2nd Place

    Best Play

    "Ladies in Retirement" Ballarat Branch National Theatre Movement

1952

The Late Edwina Black

Directed by Jenny Strickland
Second Place - 1952 Royal South Street Society Play Contest
  • Second Place

    Play Contest

    The Lake Edwina Black - Ballarat National Theatre
more about this production

1950

RSSS Speech and Dramatic Art

  • 3rd Place

    Best Play

    Ballarat Branch National Theatre Movement

Sun News Pictorial Melbourne Vic 1922 1954 1956 Saturday 26 August 1950

View

Sun News Pictorial Melbourne Vic 1922 1954 1956 Saturday 16 September 1950

View

BNT Herald Melbourne Vic 1861 1954 Wednesday 20 September 1950 Page 17

View

1949

Therese Raquin

Directed by Jenny Strickland
Winner - 1949 National Theatre Movement Drama Competition
  • Winner

    Best Play

    Therese Raquin - Ballarat National Theatre
  • Winner

    Best Male Player

    Peter James as Laurent Dutour
more about this production

BNT Argus Melbourne Vic 1848 1957 Monday 12 September 1949 Page 5

View

BNT Age Melbourne Vic 1854 1954 Monday 12 September 1949 Page 5

View

BNT Argus Melbourne Vic 1848 1957 Thursday 18 August 1949 Page 9

View

1948

I Have Been Here Before

Directed by Geoff and Elaine Richards
National Theatre Drama Festival
more about this production

IMG 2512 2

View

1946

Rebecca

Directed by Thelma Morton
Winner - 1946 National Theatre Drama Festival
  • Winner

    Best Play

    Rebecca
  • Winner

    Best individual acting

    Norah Nixon
more about this production

1944

RSSS Elocution

  • 2nd Place

    Best Radio Play

    National Theatre Movement - Ballarat ("Ways and Means")
  • 3rd Place

    Best Radio Play

    National Theatre Movement - Ballarat ("Progress")

Plenty more to come...

Ballarat National Theatre has been around since 1938 so we have decades of award history information still to be uploaded to the website. The National Theatre movement originally included multiple National Theatres across the state that competed against each other in one-act play festivals in the 1940s. The company also participated in the Royal South Street Society's theatre competitions, including one-act and three act plays. As we get information, we'll be adding it to this page.