Photo Finish at Victorian PICA Presentation   

Australia came to a halt last Tuesday to watch a thrilling photo finish in the Melbourne Cup - and later in the week, Victorian print industry professionals held their breath as the race for Gold came down to the line at the Victorian PICA presentation night at Sofitel Melbourne.
In the end, four companies took home three Gold Awards apiece - Eastern Press, GEON Group, Adams Print and Picpress - with Avon Graphics running just a nose behind with two Golds. According to PICA Victoria Chairman Trevor Hone, however, all those who entered this year's awards have earned a place in the Winner's Circle.
"It is always a fantastic achievement for a company to take home Gold in these Awards," Hone said at the ceremony. "It is not only worthy recognition of these printers from their peers here in Victoria, but provides only platform for entry into the National Print Awards, where they will have the opportunity to compete with the ‘best of the best' from around Australia.
"This year, our Judges reported that the quality of the field was as high as it has ever been - a great tribute to all those who achieved an Award. We warmly congratulate the 17 companies who took out this year's 26 Gold medals and wish them well at the National Print Awards in March next year."
Other Gold medal winners on the night, which was hosted by media, sport and racing personality Emma Freedman, included Eastern Press, Courtney Colour Graphics, Blue Star Print, Bambra Press, Redwood Ltd Prints, Labelhouse, RA Printing, Detmold Consumer Goods Packaging, Hannanprint, PMP Print, Print Impressions and Willprint Shepparton.
The Currie Group Award for the most innovative use of imaging in print was presented to Michael Warshall from Picpress for their entry, ‘Cuba 2 Volumes Greg Hotson', by Currie Group's Philip Rennell.
Next to the stage was Bill Wall from Heidelberg, who handed the prestigious Heidelberg Award for Excellence in Craft to Gavin Byrne from Bambra Press for ‘Prime Minister's Olympic Dinner Invite'.
The Media Super Victorian PICA Judges' Award was presented by Andrew Whiley to two companies, with judges being unable to separate the entries to determine the most outstanding Gold Medal winner. The winners were Adams Print for the ‘Richard Green 2011 Calendar, accepted by Shane Soutar, and Print Impressions for ‘HIA Professional Award Submission 2011', accepted by Trevor O'Connell.
Some 300 guests, resplendent in smart race track fashions and fascinators, enjoyed a night of fine dining, dancing and fun at the Awards - in particular, a special race call of ‘The PICA Cup' by industry legend Jack Styring.

 

 Click here to view photos from the 2011 awards night

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 click here to view photos from the 2010 awards night.