Variety Artists Club of New Zealand 2018 Award Recipients
The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2018 Benny Awards.
The black tie event was held at Crowne Plaza in Auckland City on Sunday 14th of October 2018 and featured performances from Geoff Sewell, The Ladykillers, Hipstamatics, Le Cirque De JP, Rebecca Wright, Mick Peck, John McGough and The Dust Palace.
Benny Award : Brendan Dugan
Agnew Award for Excellence : Mike Walker
VAC Scrolls of Honour : Jonathan Acorn, Peter Caulton (posthumous), Penny Dodd, Michael Harvey, Michael Hurst ONZM, Leighton Smith, Jennifer Ward-Lealand ONZM, Michele Watson
Pat McMinn Rising Star Award : Sammie Campbell
Fullers Entertainment Award : Glyn Tucker Jnr
Top Children's Entertainer Award : Science in a Van (Alan & Emily Worman)
Rielly Comedy Award : Jeremy Corbett
Nostalgia Award : Arthur Baysting
Stage & Screen Travel Top Group Award : Halo
NZEA Award For Top Musician : Rob Galley
Pacific Entertainment Award For Top Female Artist : Jamie McDell
Pub Charity Award For Top Male Artist : Marlon Williams
Lou Clauson Award For Top Variety Artist : The Bradas
Limelight Productions International Achievement Award : Geoff Sewell
President's Medallion : Midge Marsden MNZM
Patron's Award : Barbie Davidson
Our special thanks to :
Our superb Master of Ceremonies : John McGough.
Our major sponsor : Pub Charity Ltd.
Our award sponsors : Stage and Screen Travel, NZ Entertainment Academy, Limelight Productions and Entertainment and Pacific Entertainment.
Our wonderful performers for their goodwill, time and talents : Hipstamatics, Le Cirque De JP, Rebecca Wright, The Lady Killers, Duo Adagio from The Dust Palace, Geoff Sewell and Mick Peck.
Our Patrons and guest presenters : David Hartnell MNZM and Somboon Khansuk, Gray Bartlett MBE and Trish Bartlett, Alan Watson QSM and Michele Watson, Tracy Adshead, Suzanne Lynch MNZM, Tina Cross ONZM, Tom Sharplin, Glenda Law, Marian Burns MNZM, Sam Beeston and Scott James, Samantha Toner-Green, Robyn Alexander, Kevin Greaves, Bruce King and Guy Cater.
Our key suppliers : The team from Van Gent Enterprises and Audio Visual People, Paul Randall of Captures Video, Ace Electroplating, Auckland Live and Crowne Plaza Hotel
The VAC was formed in 1966 and welcomes membership from professional entertainers and those involved in the industry. The Benny Award has been presented to many household names and figureheads of entertainment and is seen as the highest honour for a variety entertainer in New Zealand.
Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc