Half-a-century of celebrating local theatre

By Djembe Archibald

Nov 22, 2023

Semicentennial: The Georgy Awards are on their way, celebrating five decades of supporting local theatre. Photo by Megan Fisher

Local theatre often goes overlooked, but one group holds an annual celebration to ensure local cast and crew are recognised for their hard work.

However, this year is special.

This year marks 50 years of the Georgy Awards and 50 celebrations of local performing arts talent.

The awards have strong roots in the Goulburn Valley, Georgy Award president and senior judges co-ordinator Kathy Daly said.

“The Georgy Awards are named after George Puller who was involved in all facets of theatre in Shepparton and the surrounding districts in the 1950s and 1960s,” she said.

“Today the association travels all over central and north-eastern Victoria to judge all kinds of amateur theatre.”

The awards have categories that cover theatrical performance, singing and the technical elements of a production, including set design, lighting and wardrobe.

“Over its five decades, the Georgy Awards have seen some amazing transformations, said Ms Daly.

“Our much loved event has taken many forms, with differing themes, various venues and presenters,” she said.

“We have seen themes like Arabian Nights, Cabaret and a dinner dance.

“At our 50th celebration, we are looking forward to celebrating the achievements of the past season but we are also proud to acknowledge those who have come before us and work hard to establish our association.”

This year, “the event is being held at Riverlinks Eastbank with catering and performances from various productions across the 2022-23 season.

This year, two staples of Shepparton theatre will step on the stage to host the night ‒ Helen Janke and Nicky Pummeroy.

Ms Pummeroy is an eight-time Georgy Award winner, a Victorian Music Theatre Guild Judge’s Award recipient and a Canberra Area Theatre Award nominee.

She has also been a member of the Shepparton Theatre Arts Group committee for twelve years and, throughout her time, has worn many hats, including co-vice president, media co-ordinator, mentor, event co-ordinator and self-proclaimed “Queen of the STAG Working Bees”.

Mrs Janke is a nine-time Georgy Award winner; she has also received a commendation from the Victorian Music Theatre Guild and an invitation to perform at the 2004 ceremony.

She has appeared in over 43 productions throughout the region, and her name is synonymous with directing and producing youth theatre in the area with her company, Initial Stages.

Since closing Initial Stages in 2021, Mrs Janke’s time is now focused on Creating Drama, which is a theatre company for adults with disabilities.