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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-09-09 Daily Xml
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RUBY ARTS AND CULTURAL AWARDS

Ms FOX (Bright) (14:31): Will the Premier advise the house about the 2009 Ruby arts and cultural awards?

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:32): I am delighted to say that there was a splendid celebration last night of innovation and creativity in the South Australian arts. It was good that the co-minister for the arts (the Minister for Health) was also present last night. The Ruby Awards, together with the SA chapter of the Australian Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) Awards were presented last night. Almost 600 representatives from the arts and corporate sector attended the event.

The awards are held in recognition of the achievements of those who contribute to the arts and cultural landscape of South Australia, enriching our lives and enhancing our state's reputation as a hub for world-class artists and arts events. The Rubies, named in honour of our renowned arts patron Dame Ruby Litchfield, were first introduced in 2006. I think Dame Ruby would have been very proud of last night's event. Thanks to a media partnership with The Advertiser, the awards, nominees and recipients have received excellent coverage throughout that time.

AbaF works to foster the important relationship between the arts and business. The AbaF Awards acknowledge exemplary partnerships. The support that both AbaF and business provide ensures this event is a fitting celebration.

Before going further, I would like to take a moment to reflect on just some of our recent achievements and to look ahead to some of the exciting arts events that are coming up. In 2009 we celebrated another outstanding festival season. The Fringe, which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year, drew attendances to paid and unpaid events of more than one million people. Just remember what the critics said (the Fringe this year was not held in a Festival year). They said to me: 'If you don't hold it in a Festival year then it can't be a Fringe and no-one will turn up.' One million people, including more than 80,000 (which included the Deputy Premier, much to my astonishment) were there on the opening night parade in the East End. He was not in the parade; he was watching the parade.

The BigPond Adelaide Film Festival proved another outstanding artistic and commercial success increasing its overall attendances by 30 per cent and featuring 22 world premieres, as well as 62 Australian premieres. Of course, there was the fantastic success of the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund with films that it has invested in featuring and starring at the Cannes Film Festival. Everyone remembers, of course, the extraordinary film Samson and Delilah.

The Come Out Festival further enhanced its status as the nation's premier youth arts event, with more than 200 schools taking part and around 35,000 students and teachers registered.

The Cabaret Festival has enjoyed its biggest result ever—again, despite the global financial downturn. Last month the 12th South Australian Living Artists Festival (SALA) featured the work of more than 2,700 artists and utilised more than 500 venues across the state. Next month we host the third OzAsia Festival that celebrates our cultural and artistic ties with Asia in all its manifestations. Congratulations to Jacinta Thompson, Douglas Gautier and the OzAsia team for winning the Ruby for best work or event for the 2008 festival.

I do not want people to be too distracted by other events, but next year the Adelaide Festival of Arts celebrates 50 fantastic years. I am eagerly awaiting the release of what promises to be a stellar program of attractions and events that will appeal to a diverse audience. To help these golden celebrations, I recently announced that next year's WOMADelaide event will be held over four days in March, not three. I expect to see a strong turnout from the opposition at WOMAD. I know the Minister for Infrastructure and Energy will be there in a cheesecloth caftan to join me. The South Australian government is proud to be continuing its strong support for the arts and artists across all art forms, and we keep championing their terrific work.

The Ruby Awards have been widely endorsed by artists and arts and cultural organisations. The number and high quality of nominations that were received in 2009 demonstrates their support.

I wish to wholeheartedly congratulate all the award winners. I would like to pay special tribute today to Fiona Hall, the recipient of the 2009 Premier's Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding and enduring contribution to the arts. I am sure the Leader of the Opposition would want to join me in applauding Fiona Hall. She is the first visual artist to receive this award and is recognised for her creativity and dedication to the arts throughout a career spanning three decades. Environmental themes feature strongly throughout her work. Ms Hall has exhibited widely in Australia and internationally and later this month will show her work as part of the 2009 Moscow Biennale, which I am sure that if anyone wants to attend they will.

I am also delighted to announce a new award in memory of one of South Australia's best loved independent theatre directors, Geoff Crowhurst, who passed away earlier this year. Geoff contributed to the arts in South Australia in a multitude of ways as an outstanding advocate for community theatre, a great creative talent, and an inspirational person who is missed by many. In recognition of Geoff's enormous contribution to the arts in South Australia, a new Ruby Award, known as the Geoff Crowhurst Memorial Award, will be presented from next year. It will recognise and honour an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to community cultural development in our state.

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