Major Sydney cultural organisations and businesses are among the winners and finalists in the annual Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) Awards in New South Wales,  announced on 10 September 2009.

The AbaF Awards honour the best relationships between business and the arts in the areas of partnering, volunteering and giving.

There are three winners at state level, including Bangarra Dance Theatre and Boral. Four NSW partnerships are finalists in national-only categories - including all three finalists in the Bytecraft Commitment Award. The Museum of Contemporary Art & Penrith Panthers are national finalists in the City of Brisbane Encouragement Award.

The New South Wales winners and national finalists will go on to the national AbaF Awards to be announced on 15 October in Brisbane. Winners are available for interview.
The winners of AbaF Awards in NSW are:

MARSH PARTNERING AWARD (for large businesses partnering the arts):
Bangarra Dance Theatre and Boral
Boral's six-year partnership with Bangarra enables the company to create new dance works which are performed around the world. Bangarra tours to hundreds of regional locations, enabling Boral's employees, their families and clients to experience Bangarra. 

ABAF BUSINESS VOLUNTEERING AWARD (business people volunteering with the arts)
Gondwana Choirs & Brent Duffy, Maximus International
Brent Duffy of Maximus International provided Gondwana Choirs with strategic advice on human resources management. His advice and mentorship has provided Gondwana with a firm basis for continued growth.

TOYOTA COMMUNITY AWARD (for partnerships with a community impact)
Rail Journeys Museum & Liverpool Plains Shire Council
Werris Creek is the oldest railway town in New South Wales. A group of volunteers in partnership with the Council have created The Australian Railway Monument and Rail Journeys Museum. A slice of social history, the museum attracts 10,000 visitors a year and has helped revive this country town.

The following partnerships are finalists from New South Wales in national-only categories:

BYTECRAFT ENTERTAINMENT COMMITMENT AWARD (for business-arts partnerships which have developed over seven years or more)
NATIONAL FINALIST (1): Australian Chamber Orchestra & Commonwealth Bank of Australia
For 21 years the Commonwealth Bank has provided the Australian Chamber Orchestra with financial security, enabling it to plan for the future and attract high-profile guest artists. The Commonwealth Bank Schools Program has enhanced the musical education of 8,000 students, and the Bank has loaned the ACO a rare and precious Guadagnini violin.
NATIONAL FINALIST (2): Company B Belvoir & Optus
The ten-year partnership between Optus and Company B creates opportunities for disadvantaged and unwaged people to enjoy live theatre. Tickets to performances are provided to Optus's thirteen charity partners and to unwaged people.
NATIONAL FINALIST (3): Sydney Theatre Company & UBS Investment Bank 
UBS supports Sydney Theatre Company's program, Wharf 2 LOUD, a development program for young and emerging theatre makers. UBS provides free tickets to young people, developing the next generation of theatre-goers.

CITY OF BRISBANE ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD
NATIONAL FINALIST: Museum of Contemporary Art & Penrith Panthers
Artist Craig Walsh and photographer Josh Raymond created Heads Up, an exhibition of photographs of players and supporters of Penrith Panthers rugby league team. Heads Up was shown for eight weeks at the Museum of Contemporary Art, attracting 28,000 visitors.

For information on AbaF, see www.abaf.org.au

AbaF media contact: AbaF communications manager, Nick Gadd 0425 862 119