The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2019 Benny Awards.
The black tie event was held at Crowne Plaza in Auckland City on Sunday 13th of October 2019 and featured performances from Hands Off, Angela Ayers, Dinah Lee, Carl Doy, Tina Cross, Penny Ashton, Marian Burns and the Howard Morrison Jnr Trio; featuring Howard Morrison Jnr, Russell Harrison and Chris Powley. Master of Ceremonies Suzanne Paul.
Benny Award : Dennis Marsh
Agnew Award for Excellence : Andre Vegas
Fullers Entertainment Award : Brent Eccles
Limelight Productions International Achievement Award : Neil Finn OBE
Pacific Entertainment Award for Top Female Vocalist : Jodi Vaughan
Pub Charity Top Male Artist Award : Mitch James
Pat McMinn Rising Star Award : Carson Taare
Top Group Award : Six60
NZEA Top Musician Award : Stuart Pearce
Rielly Comedy Award : Urzila Carlson
Lou Clauson Top Variety Artist Award : The Dust Palace
Top Children's Entertainer Award : Eran Backler
VAC Scrolls of Honour :
Aroha Awarau, Gary Brown, Michael Galvin, Jane Horder, Oscar Kightley MNZM, Colin Parris, Bernard Reid, Rima Te Wiata MNZM
President's Award Medallion : Angela Ayers, Dinah Lee
Patron's Award : Linda Luxford
Our special thanks to :
Our major sponsor : Pub Charity Ltd.
Our award sponsors : Auckland Live, NZ Entertainment Academy, Limelight Productions and Entertainment and Pacific Entertainment.
Our Patrons and guest presenters : David Hartnell MNZM and Somboon Khansuk, Gray Bartlett MBE and Trish Bartlett, Karen Davy, Brent McLeod, Mick Peck, Glenda Law, Tracy Adshead & Kim McConnell, Shane Hales, Pauline Berry, Kevin Greaves, Robyn Alexander, Mike Walker and Tom Sharplin.
Our key suppliers : Peter Van Gent and the team from Van Gent Enterprises, 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