A partnership between Bangarra Dance Theatre and Boral Limited has won the Partnership of the Year Award at the national Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) Awards, presented in Brisbane on the evening of Thursday 15 October.

Arts minister Peter Garrett presented the award to Stephen Page, artistic director of Bangarra and Rod Pearse, CEO and managing director of Boral at the national AbaF Awards dinner, attended by 700 leaders of business and the arts.

While a partnership between a building materials company and an indigenous contemporary dance company may seem unexpected, the two have a long-term relationship.

Boral's cash sponsorship pays for Bangarra to develop new work for performance in Australia and overseas. The partnership also creates opportunities for Boral's staff, their families and customers to enjoy Bangarra performances in Sydney and regional centres.

The AbaF Awards judges said: "This partnership provides significant community benefits in key locations for Boral, while Bangarra is enabled to create and present new work to fulfil important artistic and audience objectives."

There were three major individual award winners:

• Singer, artistic director and arts advocate Robyn Archer AO won the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Arts Business Leadership Award.

• Media magnate, chairman of arts organisations and art collector Kerry Stokes AC won the Richard Pratt Business Arts Leadership Award.

• Gallery owner and philanthropist Philip Bacon AM won the Goldman Sachs JBWere Philanthropy Leadership Award.

A special presentation was made to Jeanne Pratt and the Pratt family in recognition of Richard Pratt's exceptional contribution to the arts in Australia.

All the winners and summaries of their achievements are listed on the next pages. View/download photos of the winners.

Media contact: Nick Gadd 03 9616 0308 mobile 0425 862 119.

National winners of AbaF Awards - summary

AbaF Partnership of the Year:

Bangarra Dance Theatre and Boral Limited

Boral's seven-year partnership with Bangarra enables the company to create new dance works every year, which are performed around the world. Bangarra tours its performances and workshops to locations where Boral's employees, families and clients can experience Bangarra's unique vision. 

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Arts Business Leadership Award:

Robyn Archer AO

Robyn Archer is a singer, writer, director, artistic director, arts advocate and arts patron. Robyn has been artistic director of Melbourne International Arts Festival, Tasmania's Ten Days On The Island, and Adelaide Festival of the Arts and many other arts festivals and cultural events at home and overseas. Robyn has consistently advocated the need for arts companies to form long-term partnerships with the private sector if they are to flourish, and she has a track record of gathering the support of businesses for arts events.

Richard Pratt Business Arts Leadership Award:

Kerry Stokes AC

The owner of the Seven Network, Mr Stokes owns one of Australia's best private art collections. Among many arts roles he has served as chairman of the National Gallery of Australia (1996-2000), the Art Gallery of Western Australia and the Canberra Theatre Trust, and was a director of Sydney Dance Company.

Goldman Sachs JBWere Philanthropy Leadership Award:

Philip Bacon AM

Brisbane art gallery owner Philip Bacon has been an influential supporter of the arts for more than 30 years, and his personal donations have assisted a multitude of organisations. He was a founder of the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation in 1985 and remains one of its principal benefactors.  He has served on the board of Opera Australia for 15 years. Besides his own substantial personal contributions, Philip has been an effective leader of fundraising campaigns.

Bytecraft Entertainment Commitment Award:

Company B Belvoir and Optus

The ten-year partnership between Optus and Company B provides free tickets to performances for Optus' thirteen charity partners and to unwaged people, making theatre more accessible.

Marsh Partnering Award:

Bangarra Dance Theatre and Boral Limited

Boral's seven-year partnership with Bangarra enables the company to create new dance works every year, which are performed around the world. Bangarra tours its performances and workshops to locations where Boral's employees, families and clients can experience Bangarra's unique vision. 

Toyota Community Award:

DADAA (Disability in the Arts, Disadvantage in the Arts Australia), City of Swan and Midland Redevelopment Authority.

The City of Swan, the Midland Redevelopment Authority and DADAA have joined forces in Western Australia to help people with disabilities tell their own stories through film, and connect with communities using the arts.

Australia Council Young and Emerging Artist Award:

City of Swan and Midland Gate

The Hyper Series is a music and visual arts project planned and implemented by a voluntary group of 25 young people, supported by Midland Gate Shopping Centre and City of Swan (WA). The Hyper Series builds skills, mentorship links, job opportunities and community networks to make a long term impact for local young people.

QantasLink Regional Award:

Michael Leslie Foundation for the Arts and Rio Tinto

The Michael Leslie Foundation for the Arts and Rio Tinto have partnered to bring artistic experiences and opportunities to children in the Pilbara (WA). Thanks to a three-year partnership with Rio Tinto, the foundation is reaching 600 Pilbara children a week, exposing them to diverse art forms and activities, including acting, singing, dance and creative writing.

AbaF Giving Award:

Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

Carefully planned and based on strong relationships, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra's patrons program has cultivated a loyal group of chair sponsors and patrons, and is growing in value every year.

AbaF SME Award:

Bendigo Youth Choir and Bendigo Community Telco

Bendigo Community Telco paid for the recording of a CD to be used in fundraising for Bendigo Youth Choir's European tour. The company also highlighted the choir in its local television advertising, performing "We Believe in Bendigo". 

City of Brisbane Encouragement Award:

Tasmanian Regional Arts and RACT Insurance

The Tasmanian Youth Portraiture Prize is a joint commitment by Tasmanian Regional Arts and RACT Insurance to engage young and emerging artists and provide quality access to the arts across the state.

AbaF Business Volunteering Award:

Gondwana Choirs and Brent Duffy, Maximus International

Brent Duffy of Maximus International provided Gondwana Choirs with strategic advice on human resources management. His advice and mentorship has resulted in a more stable team, reduced staff turnover and provided Gondwana with a firm basis for continued growth.

ENDS