Doyle receives AFTRS Honorary Degree
Writer/sports commentator John Doyle received an AFTRS Honorary Degree (MA) at the 2010 student graduation ceremony in Sydney.
The degree is not an annual dedication; it has previously been granted to George Miller, Baz Luhrmann, Ben Gannon and Jan Chapman.
The keynote speech was provided by Rhys Muldoon, who reminded students they should be looking forward to a “blessed, horrifying, privileged life” as creative artists.
AFTRS also announced the following awards and scholarships at the ceremony:
- The AV Myers Indigenous Award for Exceptional Talent went to Carly Wallace (Graduate Diploma Radio Broadcasting) and Ella Bancroft (Open Program), both receiving a grant of $20,000.
- The Kenneth B Myer Scholarship for Exceptional Talent went to Alexander Murawski (Graduate Diploma Directing) and Ben Mathews (Graduate Diploma Directing), both receiving $20,000 to support them in their first year out of school.
- The Kenneth B Myer Scholarship for Project Development went to the producing team of Pete Mether, Brad Smith and Shannon Wilson (all Graduate Diploma Producing) and Leonie Savvides (Graduate Diploma Directing), with grants of $20,000 going to both recipients.
- The Shark Island Foundation Award for Documentary was for Benjamin Matthews.
- The FOXTEL Scholarship for Exceptional New Talent went to Jennifer Leacy (Graduate Diploma Directing), bringing with it a $30,000 grant to support development of a project in her first year after graduation.
- The European Union Travelling Scholarship was presented in partnership with Romania, to John Peters (Graduate Diploma Directing) and Rachael Smith (Graduate Diploma Sound), who received return flights, accommodation and invitations to attend several European film festivals, including the partnering festival, Bucharest International Film Festival.
