# Australian Dance Awards

The Australian Dance Awards recognise excellence and promote dance in Australia. They are awarded under the auspices of the Australian Dance Council (Ausdance) for performance, choreography, design, dance writing, teaching and related professions. They especially recognise and honour professional Australian dance artists who have made an outstanding contribution to Australian dance.

## History

The awards have their origin in the informal community Dancers' Picnic founded by Keith Bain first held in 1986 on or close to International Dance Day.
In 1997, Ausdance NSW with support from the City of Sydney and The Australian Ballet, presented the inaugural Australian Dance Awards at the Sydney Opera House. Over time, the Awards have evolved into a major industry event. For three years from 2008, the Awards were held in Melbourne and produced by Ausdance Victoria with support from the Joan and Peter Clemenger Trust and The Australian Ballet.
From 2011 until 2017 the location varied, as the awards were held by tender among the state-based organisations of the Ausdance network. In 2018 Ausdance National hosted the event at the Brisbane Powerhouse in Brisbane, Queensland, and owing to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, the event was held online by the national body in 2020, covering the years 2018 and 2019.
In 2022 the board of Ausdance National announced that the awards were under review and on hold.

## 2019

Awards not held.

## 2018

Presented by Ausdance National and Harlequin Floors, the 2018 Australian Dance Awards were presented on Saturday 8 September at Brisbane Powerhouse.
| Award | Recipient | Work | Notes |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Athol Willoughby OAM | | |
| Hall of Fame | No inductees | | |
| Services to Dance | Hilary Trotter | | |
| Services to Dance Education | Katrina Rank | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Choreography | Stephanie Lake | Pile of Bones | Stephanie Lake Company |
| Outstanding Achievement in Youth Dance | Co3 | Project NEXT | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Community Dance | Tracks Dance | Man Made | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New Media | Sue Healey | Eileen | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Dance, Musicals or Physical Theatre | Gravity & Other Myths | BACKBONE | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance | Martin del Amo | CHAMPIONS | |
| Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer | Jana Castillo | construct | |
| Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer | Beau Dean Riley Smith | Bennelong (2017) | Bangarra Dance Theatre |
| Outstanding Performance by a Company | Dancenorth | Attractor | |

## 2017

Presented by Ausdance Victoria, Harlequin Floors and Ausdance National, the 2017 Australian Dance Awards were presented on Sunday 24 September at Arts Centre Melbourne.
| Award | Recipient | Work | Notes |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Helen Herbertson | | |
| Hall of Fame | Noel Tovey AM | | |
| Services to Dance | Jennifer Irwin | | |
| Services to Dance Education | Kim Walker | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Choreography | Lucy Guerin | The Dark Chorus | Lucy Guerin Inc. |
| Outstanding Achievement in Youth Dance | Catapult Dance, The Flipside Project | In Search of the Lost Things | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Community Dance | Liz Lea & collaborators | Great Sport! | with Canberra Dance Theatre, the National Museum of Australia, the GOLD company, Dance for Parkinson's ACT and KAGE |
| Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New Media | The Samaya Wives | The Knowledge Between Us | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Dance, Musicals or Physical Theatre | Jack Chambers | Singin' in the Rain | TEG Dainty, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises & Michael Cassel Group |
| Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance | Liesel Zink | The Stance | |
| Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer | Ako Kondo | Coppélia | The Australian Ballet |
| Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer | Benjamin Hancock | The Dark Chorus | Lucy Guerin Inc |
| Outstanding Performance by a Company | Bangarra Dance Theatre | OUR Land People Stories | |

## 2016

Presented by Ausdance National and Harlequin Floors, the 2016 Australian Dance Awards were held at The State Theatre Centre of Western Australia, Perth, on Sunday 18 September at 6.30 pm as part of the MoveMe Festival 2016.
| Award | Recipient | Work | Notes |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Terri Charlesworth | | |
| Services to Dance | Roy David Page | | |
| Services to Dance Education | Dr Joan Pope OAM | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Choreography | Lucy Guerin | Motion Picture | Lucy Guerin Inc. |
| Outstanding Achievement in Youth Dance | Force Majeure & Powerhouse Youth Theatre | Jump First, Ask Later | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Community Dance | Dancenorth | Twilight | Cheryl Stock |
| Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New Media | Meryl Tankard | Michelle’s Story | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Dance, Musicals or Physical Theatre | Circa Contemporary Circus | Il Ritorno | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance | Sue Healey | On View: Live Portraits | |
| Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer | Elma Kris | Lore | Bangarra Dance Theatre |
| Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer | David Mack | Frame of Mind | Bangarra Dance Theatre |
| Outstanding Performance by a Company | Bangarra Dance Theatre | Lore | |

## 2015

The 2015 Australian Dance Awards were presented by Ausdance National at Her Majesty's Theatre in Adelaide on Saturday 12 September 2015.
| Award | Recipient | Work | Notes |
| Outstanding Achievement in Youth Dance | STEPS Youth Dance Company | Fights & Flights | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Community Dance | Tracks Dance Company | Milpirri (Jarda–Warnpa) | |
| Services to Dance Education | Tanya Pearson OAM | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Choreography | Narelle Benjamin | Hiding in Plain Sight | |
| Hall of Fame | Marilyn Jones and Dr Elizabeth Cameron Dalman OAM | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New Media | Claire Marshall | Ward of State | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Commercial Dance, Musicals or Physical Theatre | Gravity & Other Myths | A Simple Space | |
| Services to Dance | Jeff Busby | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance | Torque Show and Michelle Ryan with Lavender vs Rose | Intimacy | |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Marilyn Rowe OBE | | |
| Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer | Lucinda Dunn OAM | Manon | The Australian Ballet |
| Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer | Waangenga Blanco | Patyegarang | Bangarra Dance Theatre |
| Outstanding Performance by a Company | Queensland Ballet | Romeo & Juliet | |

## 2014

The 2014 Australian Dance Awards. Held in the Joan Sutherland Theatre of the Sydney Opera House, 9 November 2014. Hosted by Francis Rings and Kip Gamblin.
| Award | Recipient | Work | Notes |
| Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance | Buzz Dance Theatre | Look The Other Way | |
| Services to Dance Education | Janet Karin OAM | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Choreography | Stephanie Lake | Aorta | |
| Hall of Fame | Gailene Stock AM CBE | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New Media | Sue Healey | On View | |
| Services to Dance | Annie Grieg | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance | Dalia Pigram | Gudirr Gudirr | |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Leigh Warren | | |
| Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer | Leanne Stoymenov | Cinderella | The Australian Ballet |
| Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer | Jame Vu Anh Pham | Aorta | Choreographed by Stephanie Lake |
| Outstanding Performance by a Company | The Australian Ballet | Cinderella | |

## 2013

The 2013 Australian Dance Awards. Held at The Playhouse of the Canberra Theatre Centre, 6 August 2013. Hosted by Andrea Close.
| Award | Recipient | Work | Notes |
| Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance | Tracks Dance Company | Eight to Eighty—Architecture of Age | |
| Services to Dance Education | Jackie Hallahan | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Choreography | Rafael Bonachela | 2 One Another | Sydney Dance Company |
| Peggy Van Praagh Choreographic Fellowship | Kay Armstrong | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New Media | Sue Healey | Virtuosi | |
| Services to Dance | Shane Carroll | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance | Antony Hamilton | Black Project 1 | |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Ronne Arnold | | |
| Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer | Charmene Yap | 2 One Another | Sydney Dance Company |
| Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer | Kimball Wong | Proximity | Australian Dance Theatre |
| Outstanding Performance by a Company | Sydney Dance Company | 2 One Another | |

## 2012

The 2012 Australian Dance Awards. Held at Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre, Perth. Hosted by Verity James. Winners were:
| Award | Recipient | Work | Notes |
| Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance | Shaun Parker and Company | Captivate | |
| Services to Dance Education | Sarah Calver | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Choreography | Natalie Weir | R & J | Expressions Dance Company |
| Peggy Van Praagh Choreographic Fellowship | Stephanie Lake | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film / New Media | Bryan Mason & Sophie Hyde | Life in Movement | |
| Services to Dance | Lucinda Sharp | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance | Barry Moreland & Daryl Brandwood | HELIX | |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Nanette Hassell | | |
| Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer | Elise May | R & J | Expressions Dance Company |
| Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer | Daryl Brandwood | HELIX | |
| Outstanding Performance by a Company | Bangarra Dance Theatre | Belong | |

## 2011

The 2011 Australian Dance Awards. Held at QPAC Playhouse, Brisbane. Hosted by Fenella Kernebone. Winners were:
| Award | Recipient | Work | Notes |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Robina Beard OAM | | |
| Services to Dance Education | Valda Craig | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance | QL2 Dance | Hard Yards | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Choreography | Rafael Bonachela | 6 Breaths | Sydney Dance Company |
| Outstanding Performance by a Company | Expressions Dance Company | Where the Heart Is | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance | Narelle Benjamin | In Glass | |
| Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer | Amy Hollingsworth | Irony of Fate | Sydney Dance Company |
| Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer | Daniel Gaudiello | Coppelia | The Australian Ballet |
| Outstanding Performance in a Stage Musical | Alinta Chidzey | West Side Story | |
| Hall of Fame | Keith Bain OAM | | |
| Award for Services to Dance | Ruth Osborne | | Artistic Director – QL2 Dance (Canberra) |

## 2010

The 2010 Australian Dance Awards. Hosted by Neil Pigot. Held at Melbourne's Arts Centre, State Theatre. Winners were:
| Award | Recipient | Work | Notes |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Bill Akers AM | | |
| Services to Dance | Stephen Page | | |
| Services to Dance Education | Maggi Phillips | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance | Restless Dance Theatre | Hard Yards | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Choreography | Meryl Tankard & Paul White | The Oracle | |
| Outstanding Performance by a Company | Bangarra Dance Theatre | Fire – A Retrospective | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance | Sue Peacock | Questions Without Notice | |
| Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer | Lana Jones | Firebird | The Australian Ballet |
| Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer | Paul White | The Oracle | |
| Outstanding Performance in a Stage Musical | Caroline O'Connor | Chicago | |

## 2009

The 2009 Australian Dance Awards winners were:
| Award | Recipient | Work | Notes |
| Lifetime Achievement | Lucette Aldous | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education | Jeff Meiners | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance | Tracks Inc | STRUCK | Awarded for the first time in 2009 |
| Outstanding Performance in a Stage Musical | Nick Twiney, Rarmian Newton, Rhys Kosakowski, Lochlan Denholm, Joshua Waiss Gates, Dayton Tavares, Joshua Denyer & Michael Dameski | Billy Elliot The Musical | |
| Outstanding Performance by a Company | Force Majeure | The Age I'm In | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance | Tanja Liedtke (posthumous) | construct | |
| Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer | Kristina Chan | construct | choreographed by Tanja Liedtke |
| Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer | Reed Luplau | Sid's Waltzing Masquerade | Sydney Dance Company |
| Outstanding Achievement in Choreography | Tanja Liedtke (posthumous) | construct | |
| Award for Dance on Film | Chris Scherer | If The Shoe Fits | |
| Award for Services to Dance | Lee Christofis | | A former dance critic and now curator of dance at the National Library of Australia |

## 2008

The 2008 Australian Dance Awards were hosted by Michael Veitch. The winners were:
| Award | Recipient | Work | Notes |
| Lifetime Achievement | Paul Hammond OAM | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education | Helen Cameron | | |
| Outstanding Performance in a Stage Musical | Hugh Jackman | The Boy From Oz | Choreographed by Kenny Ortega and Kelley Abbey |
| Outstanding Performance by a Company | Lucy Guerin Inc | Structure & Sadness | Choreographed by Lucy Guerin |
| Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance | Shaun Parker | This Show Is About People | Produced by Marguerite Pepper Productions |
| Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer | Lucinda Dunn | Don Quixote | The Australian Ballet |
| Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer | Paul White | Honour Bound | Choreographed by Garry Stewart |
| Outstanding Achievement in Choreography | Garry Stewart | Honour Bound | Commissioned by Sydney Opera House & Malthouse Theatre |
| Award for Dance on Film | Sue Healey | Will Time Tell | Produced by Sue Healey |
| Award for Services to Dance | Dally Messenger III & Karen van Ulzen | | |

## 2006

Hosted by Todd McKenney, Dancing with the Stars and Rachael Beck from It Takes Two. The winners were:
| Award | Recipient | Work | Notes |
| Lifetime Achievement | Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon | | |
| Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education | Buzz Dance Theatre | | |
| Award for Services to Dance | Hilary Crampton | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Choreography | Tanja Liedtke | Twelfth Floor | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance | Clare Dyson | Churchill's Black Dog | |
| Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer | Kristina Chan | Twelfth Floor | Tanja Liedtke Co. |
| Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer | Byron Perry | Headlock | Kage Physical Theatre |
| Outstanding Performance by a Company | Australian Dance Theatre | Devolution | by Garry Stewart |
| Award for Dance on Film | Sam James & Julie-Anne Long | Nun's Night Out | |

## 2005

Hosted by Chloe Dallimore, the star of the Australian production of the musical The Producers and Eddie Perfect. The winners were:
| Award | Recipient | Work | Notes |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Kathryn Lowe | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education | Jenny Kinder | | |
| Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer | Margrete Helgeby | Aqueous | |
| Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer | Dein Perry | Tap Dogs | |
| Outstanding Performance by a Company | Force Majeure | Already Elsewhere | Choreographed by Kate Champion |
| Outstanding Achievement in Choreography | Wendy Houstoun, Narelle Benjamin, Brian Carbee, Julie-Anne Long & Michael Whaites Graeme Murphy | In the Dark Grand | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance | Julie-Anne Long | The Nun's Picnic | |
| Award for Services to Dance | Mark Gordon | | |
| Award for Dance Film | Gina Czarnecki | Nascent | Choreographed by Garry Stewart |
| Outstanding Performance in a Stage Musical | Josef Brown in | Dirty Dancing | |
| Inducted to the Hall of Fame. | Colin Peasley, John Lanchbery and Ross Stretton | | |

## 2004

| Award | Recipient | Work | Notes |
| Lifetime achievement award | Julie Dyson AM | | National executive officer of Ausdance since the Australia Council began funding the organisation in 1985 also received the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award for Administration in 1994 |
| Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education | Michelle Saunders | | General Manager of STEPS Youth Dance Company |
| Outstanding achievement in choreography | Frances Rings | Unaipon | Bangarra Dance Theatre |
| Outstanding Performance by a Company | Australian Dance Theatre | Held | Choreographed by Garry Stewart. |
| Outstanding Performance by a female dancer | Larissa McGowan | Held | Australian Dance Theatre |
| Outstanding Performance by a male dancer | Patrick Thaiday Paul Zivkovich | Unaipon Held | Bangarra Dance Theatre Australian Dance Theatre |
| Outstanding Performance in a stage musical | Chloe Dallimore | The Producers | |
| Outstanding achievement in independent dance | Kate Denborough | Nowhere Man | Kage Physical Theatre |
| Award for services to dance | No award | | |
| Award for dance on film | I Dream of Augustine | | Concept & Direction: Cordelia Beresford Choreography & Performance: Narelle Benjamin |

## 2003

Hosted by Libbi Gorr. The winners were:
| Award | Recipient | Work | Notes |
| Lifetime achievement award | Cheryl Stock | | As a performer, choreographer, artistic director, advocate, researcher, academic, and leader in tertiary dance education |
| Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education | Keith Bain OAM | | |
| Outstanding achievement in choreography | Graeme Murphy AM | Swan Lake | Sydney Dance Company |
| Outstanding Performance by a Company | Sydney Dance Company | Underland | Choreographed by Graeme Murphy. |
| Outstanding Performance by a female dancer | Simone Goldsmith | Swan Lake | The Australian Ballet |
| Outstanding Performance by a male dancer | Bradley Chatfield | Underland | Sydney Dance Company |
| Outstanding Performance in a stage musical | Joshua Horner | Tivoli | Sydney Dance Company |
| Outstanding achievement in independent dance | Helen Herbertson and Ben Cobham | Morphia Series (Delirium and Morphia) | |
| Award for services to dance | Michelle Potter | | |
| Award for dance on film | Sue Healey | Fine Line | |

## 2002

| Award | Recipient | Work | Notes |
| Lifetime achievement award | Meryl Tankard | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education | Nanette Hassall | | Founder of Dance Works and currently Head of Dance at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts |
| Outstanding achievement in choreography | Garry Stewart | The Age of Unbeauty | (Australian Dance Theatre) |
| Outstanding Performance by a Company | Australian Dance Theatre | The Age of Unbeauty | Choreographed by Garry Stewart. |
| Outstanding Performance by a female dancer | Roz Hervey | Same Same But Different | Force Majeure |
| Outstanding Performance by a male dancer | Dean Walsh | The Age of Unbeauty | Australian Dance Theatre |
| Outstanding Performance in a stage musical | Todd McKenney | Singin' in the Rain | |
| Award for services to dance | Ian McRae | | |
| Award for dance on film | No award | | |

## 2001

| Award | Recipient | Work | Notes |
| Lifetime achievement award | Shirley McKechnie OAM | | Professorial Fellow at the Victorian College of the Arts and has pioneered of Australian contemporary dance in |
| Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education | Margaret Markham | | Fellow of the Australian College of Educators and founder of The McDonald College in 1984. |
| Outstanding achievement in choreography | Graeme Murphy AM | Tivoli | Artistic director of the now Sydney Dance Company, choreographed over forty works and was awarded the OM for his services to dance in Australia. |
| Outstanding Performance by a Company | The Australian Ballet and Sydney Dance Company | Tivoli | Choreographed by Graeme Murphy as a joint production |
| Outstanding Performance by an Individual | Harry Haythorne | Tivoli | Sydney Dance Company |
| Outstanding Performance in a stage musical | Tracey Carrodus | Tivoli | Sydney Dance Company |
| Award for services to dance | Lucette Aldous | | Ballerina and an inspirational teacher and mentor to students at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts |
| Award for dance on film | Boro's Ballet | | Directed by Michelle Potter and Sally Jackson Produced by ScreenSound Australia A documentary charting the work of choreographer Edouard Borovansky and the foundation of the Boronovsky Ballet |

## 2000

| Award | Recipient | Work | Notes |
| Lifetime achievement award | Kira Bousloff OAM | | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education | Martin Rubenstein OAM | | |
| Outstanding achievement in choreography | Ted Bransden | Carmen | West Australian Ballet |
| Outstanding Performance by a Company | The Australian Ballet | In the Middle Somewhat Elevated | Choreographed by William Forsythe |
| Outstanding Performance by an Individual | Steven Heathcote AM | Don Quixote | The Australian Ballet |
| Outstanding Performance in a stage musical | Todd McKenney | The Boy from Oz | |
| Award for services to dance | Julie Dyson | | National Executive Officer of the Australian Dance Council |
| Award for dance on film | No award | | |

## 1999

| Award | Recipient | Work | Notes |
| Lifetime achievement award | Keith Bain OAM | | Fulfilled roles as dancer, teacher and choreographer and administrator over five decades, founder the Dancer's Picnic |
| Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education | Professor Susan Street | | Performer, choreographer, educator and administrator. |
| Outstanding achievement in choreography | Leigh Warren | Shimmer | |
| Outstanding Performance by a Company | Leigh Warren & Dancers | Masterpieces of the 20th Century and Shimmer | |
| Outstanding Performance by an Individual | Delia Silvan | Silent Cries | Leigh Warren & Dancers |
| Outstanding Performance in a stage musical | Caroline O'Connor | Chicago | A dancer, actress and singer in the London West End and Australia with roles in a number of classic stage musicals |
| Award for services to dance | Kristian Fredrikson | | As a costume designer |
| Award for dance on film | Restoration | | Direction: Cordelia Beresford Choreography & Performance: Narelle Benjamin and Solon Ulbrich |

## 1998

| Award | Recipient | Notes |
| Lifetime achievement award | Margaret Scott OBE Valrene Tweedie OAM | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education | Joan Halliday OAM and Monica Halliday OAM | |
| Outstanding achievement in choreography | Dein Perry Stephen Baynes | |
| Outstanding Performance by an Individual | Damien Welch Djakapurra Munyarryun | |
| Award for services to dance | Tony Geeves | Author of Safe Dance I and II |

## 1997

| Award | Recipient | Notes |
| Lifetime achievement award | Elizabeth Cameron Dalman OAM Laurel Martyn OBE | |
| Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education | Shirley McKechnie OAM Ann Roberts | founder of Dancenorth |
| Outstanding achievement in choreography | Stephen Page Gideon Obarzanek | Artistic Director of Bangarra Dance Theatre Artistic Director of Chunky Move |
| Award for services to dance | Jill Sykes AM Dally Messenger | Dance writer of The Sydney Morning Herald Founder of Dance Australia |