Wardaman woman Dr Shellie Morris has been named a Legend in the 2023 NT Performing Arts Awards.
Dr Morris took out the Legend Award alongside tenured artistic director Sean Pardy - both receiving the prestigious award for the rich cultural music and mentorship they have contributed throughout their dedicated careers in elevating the Northern Territory arts scene.
The ceremony also saw a lighting designer, violinist, circus artist, artistic director and music producer among those recognised.
Awards were presented in nine categories with Kuya James, aka James Mangohig, taking home two awards - the Outstanding Creative Award for his two-decade long contribution to the arts as musician, music producer, and most recently as a producer and artist of the theatre dance performance, Hymns for the Witching Hour, which won the Best Performance Award.
Tara Murphy followed suit, bringing home both the Outstanding Performer Award and People's Choice Award which garnered over a quarter of the votes.
Emerging artists Spillett and Tomm Lydiard took home the Young Achiever and Behind the Scenes awards - Spillett for their charismatic and hypnotic performances, and Tomm for shining the light on Australian household names such as Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy, and the many homegrown plays and performances in Darwin.
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Chansey Paech, said the NT Performing Arts Awards recognised the creativity and talent of the Territory's arts sector which "does amazing work to create a vibrant Northern Territory" and builds strong foundations for artists.
In its fourth year, the peer judged awards highlighted the outstanding achievements of Territory storytellers and creatives in classrooms, backstage and on stage.
More than 70 nominations were received from the vibrant Territory arts community, with 25 shortlisted as finalists.
2023 NT Performing Arts Awards winners:
- Outstanding Performer Award - Tara Murphy
- Young Achiever Award - Spillett
- Outstanding Creative Award - James Mangohig (Kuya James)
- Behind the Scenes Award - Tomm Lydiard
- Legend Award - Dr Shellie Morris AO and Sean Pardy
- Inspiration Award - Nikki Jeffries
- Best Performance Award - Hymns for the Witching Hour
- Impact Award - Zoe Scrogings
- People's Choice Award - Tara Murphy
Annie Hesse
I am an award-winning media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcast, as well as photography and videography. I am the NT Correspondent at Australian Community Media and I write for my hometown newspaper, the Katherine Times. I love telling people's stories, and I am passionate about giving those a voice who may otherwise remain unheard. When I am not busy putting pen to paper, I spend time in my garden, go bushwalking or travel across the Northern Territory, Australia or the world. In my spare time I write, illustrate and publish books.
I am an award-winning media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcast, as well as photography and videography. I am the NT Correspondent at Australian Community Media and I write for my hometown newspaper, the Katherine Times. I love telling people's stories, and I am passionate about giving those a voice who may otherwise remain unheard. When I am not busy putting pen to paper, I spend time in my garden, go bushwalking or travel across the Northern Territory, Australia or the world. In my spare time I write, illustrate and publish books.
