Bendigo’s Capital Venues and Events named Performing Arts Centre of the Year

PAC Australia has named Bendigo’s Capital Venues and Events as the Australian Performing Arts Centre of the Year at the 2018 Drover Awards.

Presented last week in the historic Pilbara town of Cossack at the closing celebration of the 32nd annual PAC Australia conference, Making Space, The Capital was recognised among three industry Awards.

The Drover Award judges advised “The Capital has received wide recognition of its effort in supporting and developing the industry and providing consistently outstanding technical, customer and administrative support.

“The Capital recently welcomed Arena Theatre Company as its resident theatre company which is just one example of The Capital's approach to working with and supporting the performing arts industry. They have an enthusiasm and willingness to always go the extra mile when it comes to community engagement and audience development.”

PAC Australia's Drover Awards recognise excellence in the field of regional touring; acknowledging the companies that are committed to delivering performances to the millions of audience members in communities across Australia. They recognise both the massive operational commitment required, and the artistic determination to ensure that regional audiences have the opportunity to experience an extraordinary calibre of work.

Circus Oz's Model Citizens tour was named Tour of the Year with Circa named Touring Legend, awarded by PAC Australia for an outstanding contribution to performing arts touring.

Model Citizens, the first production from Circus Oz Artistic Director, Rob Tannion, blends the risk and beauty of breath-taking physical improbability with theatricality, choreography and Circus Oz's distinct brand of Australian humour. Exposing circus skills in unconventional ways, Model Citizens explores what it really means to be a model citizen in today's 'model kit' society.

The production was supported by excellent marketing materials, seamless pre-planning with venues, and willingness to connect with the local community through workshops held prior to performances.

In presenting the third Drover Award, PAC Australia Board noted the company's long commitment to developing and touring high quality circus and physical productions over many years. The company's continued contribution to the industry and genuine willingness to develop relationships and practices for the betterment of the industry at large was widely recognised and appreciated.

Based at Karratha’s Red Earth Arts Precinct, PAC Australia’s 32nd annual Performing Arts Conference attracted more than 300 delegates to the most remote location in which it has ever been held.

Commenting on the event, PAC Australia Executive Director Rick Heath said the decision to bring the arts industry together in Karratha offered an opportunity to showcase the changing face of regional Australia.

Heath told The West Australian “the self-determination of regional communities like Karratha to transform perceptions from being ‘just’ a mining town to a modern liveable city with a rich and valued cultural life is extremely important to highlight nation-ally and internationally.”

Images: The Capital Theatre, Bendiog (top) and Karratha’s Red Earth Arts Precinct (below).