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ALAN PAYNE HONOURED WITH RICHARD LANE AWGIE AWARD
Western Australian AWG Manager Alan Payne has been presented with the Richard Lane Award at the 40th Annual Australian Writers’ Guild Awards (AWGIES), for outstanding service to the Guild.
Alan has provided dedicated service to the Guild since 1991, through both the WA branch and nationally.
Over the past 16 years Alan has played a strong advocacy role for the AWG and writers, lobbying for WA plays to be developed and performed and for more local writers to be used on film and TV projects in the State. He was instrumental in securing premises from TAFE on a long lease at Leederville and has turned the former sign-painting studios into a vibrant centre of development activity, courses, workshops and talks in all aspects of performance writing.
Alan has been particularly effective in developing strong relationships with government agencies such as ScreenWest and ArtsWA, which provide ongoing funding for the AWG’s activities.
His persistence, quiet diplomacy and wide consultation have been a factor in getting the various WA industry bodies, associations and interest groups to speak with a united voice.
Alan has enormous energy for developing and assisting writers to hone their craft and find employment. He is also a wellspring of imaginative ideas and initiatives on how make things work better.
Richard Lane is one of the founding members of the AWG. Lane was AWG President in the 1960’s and led many of the early campaigns to protect writers and promote Australian content. The Richard Lane Award was initiated in 1988 and recognises outstanding service to the AWG. The award is usually given to scriptwriters - last year Geoffrey Atherden received the award, and in 2005 David Williamson was the recipient.
Congratulations Alan for receiving this prestigious award and we welcome your continued support of the Western Australian screen industry.
