The annual Barbara Sisley Awards took place on the 5th June at Parliament House Brisbane. This year was a special year, as the Awards celebrated 75 years and welcomed recently appointed Patron of the CSPT Inc., Emeritus Professor, Roly Sussex OAM, as Guest of Honour.
Roly Sussex not only awarded all attending recipients with their book prize, he gave a memorable address to the students, special guests, parents and teachers. In his address, Professor Sussex stated that in the 21st century there were fewer opportunities to exercise and cultivate oratory skills. “The Barbara Sisley Awards push back and reassert rewards for advanced oral language skills,” Professor Sussex said. “I anticipate that students of speech and drama will have advantages ahead of others where glass ceilings vanish when confronted with good words powerfully delivered.”
Professor Sussex congratulated all award recipients and encouraged them to continue pursuing their studies in speech, drama and performance. “Life has huge opportunities for people who love, cherish and cultivate wit and communicate with style and excellence,” he said. At interval, Professor Sussex celebrated with recipients, guests and their families by cutting the 75th Anniversary cake.
Congratulations to all Barbara Sisley recipients for 2021. Special thanks are extended to our Patron, Roly Sussex, the offices of The Australian Music Examinations Board, and Trinity College London for their continued support of the awards and the objects of the CSPT Inc. Additionally, special thanks goes to coordinators of the awards, Helen Steele and June Finney.
