Penguin Award

The Penguin Award is an annual award given for excellence in broadcasting by the Television Society of Australia. It was founded in 1954. The award trophy depicts an ear listening to a television tube, but strongly resembles a penguin, hence the name. The award was designed by Des White, an artist and designer at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Past winners

November 1972

• LEADING QUIZMASTER - Tony Barber, The Great Temptation, Channel 7.
• LEADING DRAMA TALENT - TIE - James Laurenson, Boney and Michael Pate, Matlock Police, Network 10.
• LEADING NATIONAL NEWSREADER - Brian Naylor.
• COMMONWEALTH FILM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION $3000 TV DRAMA PRIZE - Division 4: Episode 'The Return of John Kelso'.
• SPECIAL COMMENDATION - Over There. Episode 'A Long Way From The Junction', ABC.
• SHELL $2000 DOCUMENTARY AWARD - A Big Country. Episode 'The Whalers', ABC.
• SUPPORTING DRAMA TALENT - Frank Taylor, Division 4.
• LEADING VARIETY TALENT - Mary Jane Boyd - Matt Flinders Show, ABC.
• LEADING REPORTER CURRENT AFFAIRS - Richard Carleton, This Day Tonight, ABC.
• BEST VARIETY SERIES - The Matt Flinders Show, ABC.
• BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM - A Current Affair, Network 9.
• THE SOCIETY'S TROPHY - Mr C.L.Faudell. Founder & Past President of the TV Society of Australia.

December 1973

• BEST DRAMA SERIES - Seven Little Australians, ABC.
• BEST CHILDRENS SHOW - Seven Little Australians, ABC.
• BEST ACTOR -Leonard Teale - Seven Little Australians, ABC.
• BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Ruth Cracknell - Seven Little Australians, ABC.
• BEST VARIETY SERIES - Showcase '73.
• BEST SINGLE PROGRAM - Malaysia....Where are all the Children going?, Network 10.
• BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS SHOW - A Current Affair, Network 9.
• BEST VARIETY ENTERTAINER -Jill Perryman, Perryman on Parade, ABC.
• BEST NEWSREADER -Geoff Raymond, ABC.
• BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PRESENTATION - Mike Willesee, A Current Affair.
• BEST DRAMA SCRIPT - Frank Hardy Boney Episode Boney Meets the Daybreak Killer.

November 1975

• BEST ACTOR - John Meillon, The Fourth Wish, ABC.
• BEST ACTRESS - Olivia Hamnett, Rush, ABC.
• BEST VARIETY ENTERTAINER - Gary MacDonald.
• BEST NEWSREADER/REPORTER - Geoff Raymond, ABC.
• BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS INTERVIEWER - Richard Carleton, ABC.
• BEST SCRIPT - Michael Craig, The Fourth Wish, ABC.
• BEST PRODUCER/DIRECTOR - Oscar Whitbread, Rush, ABC.
• BEST ORIGINAL THEME MUSIC - Rush, ABC.

1976

• BEST ACTOR - John Waters, Rush, ABC.
• BEST ACTRESS - Penne Hackforth-Jones, Tandarra.
• BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - George Mallaby, Power Without Glory, ABC.
• BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Heather Canning, Power Without Glory, ABC.
• BEST DRAMA SERIES - Power Without Glory, ABC.
• BEST VARIETY SERIES - The Don Lane Show, Channel 9.
• BEST VARIETY SPECIAL - Neil Diamond - Thank You Australia Concert, 9 Network.
• BEST CHILDREN'S PROGRAM - Solo 1, Crawford Productions.
• BEST MUSICAL - The Fool on the Hill, ABC.
• BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS INTERVIEWER - Mike Walsh.
• BEST VARIETY ENTERTAINER - Don Lane.
• BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC - Mike Brady, Solo 1.
• BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM - Four Corners, ABC.
• BEST DOCUMENTARY - A Big Country, ABC.

November 1977

• BEST ACTOR - Peter Adams, The Alternative.
• BEST ACTRESS - Wendy Hughes, The Alternative.
• BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Alwyn Kurts, The Alternative.
• BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Arianthe Galani, Pig in a Poke, ABC.
• AUSTRALIAN FILM COMMISSION $3000 PRIZE IN ADULT DRAMA - The Alternative.
• AUSTRALIAN FILM COMMISSION OPEN DRAMA - Pig in a Poke, ABC.
• BEST DRAMA SCRIPT - Pig in a Poke, ABC.
• BEST INDIVIDUAL PRODUCTION ACHIEVEMENT - Power Without Glory, ABC.
• BEST DRAMA DIRECTOR - Carl Schultz, The Tichborne Affair, ABC.
• BEST VARIETY MUSICAL ENTERTAINER - Don Lane.
• BEST NEWSREADER - Brian Naylor.
• BEST DOCUMENTARY SCRIPT - Fred Cul Cullen, Australians at War, Network 10.
• BEST DRAMA PRODUCTION ONE SHOT - The Tichborne Affair, ABC.
• BEST VARIETY MUSICAL PROGRAM SERIES - The Don Lane Show, Network 9.
• BEST VARIETY MUSICAL PROGRAM SPECIAL - Sammy Davis Jr in Australia, Channel 7.
• BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS - Four Corners.
• BEST DOCUMENTARY - In the Wild with Harry Butler.
• BEST CHILDREN'S PROGRAM - Fat Cat & Friends.
• BEST OUTSIDE BROADCAST - Centenary Test Cricket Match, ABC.
• BEST IMPORTED PROGRAM - The Duchess of Duke Street.

November 1979

• BEST DOCUMENTARY - A Big Country, ABC.
• THE SHELL PRIZE FOR BEST NEWS STORY - The Heathcote Fires, Channel 9.
• BEST COMEDY PROGRAM - Neutral Ground, ABC.
• BEST VARIETY SERIES - The Don Lane Show, Channel 9.
• BEST ADULT DRAMA - Bit Part, ABC.
• BEST CHILDREN'S DRAMA - Top Mates, ABC.
• BEST CHILDREN'S PROGRAM - Shirl's Neighbourhood, Channel 7.
• BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS SHOW - Countrywide, ABC.
• BEST SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SERIES - Peter Adams, Cop Shop.
• BEST SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SERIES - Carol Burns, Prisoner.
• BEST SINGLE PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS - Jill Perryman, Palace of Dreams, ABC.
• BEST ENTERTAINER - Don Lane, Channel 9.
• BEST NEW TALENT - Liddy Clark, Ride on Stranger, ABC.
• BEST TELEVISION PLAY DIRECTION - Peter Weir, The Plumber, Channel 9.
• THE $1000 ADULT DRAMA PRIZE - The Summer of the 17th Doll, Channel 7.
• BEST SET DESIGN - Against the Wind, Channel 7.
• BEST MUSICAL SCORE - Against the Wind, Channel 7.
• BEST CAMERA WORK - Against the Wind, Channel 7.
• THE COLIN BEDNALL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION - Ian Fairweather.

November 1980

• BEST SINGLE PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR - John Hargreaves, The Banana Bender, ABC.
• BEST SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SERIES - Brian James, Skyways, Channel 7.
• BEST SINGLE PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS - Bunny Brooke, Rock Pool, ABC.
• BEST SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SERIES - Vivien Gray, The Sullivans, Channel 9.
• BEST TV PLAY OR TV MOVIE DIRECTION - Kevin Dobson, Young Ramsay.
• BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM - 60 Minutes, Channel 9.
• BEST DOCUMENTARY - Do Not Pass Go.

1982

• BEST DRAMA SERIES - A Town Like Alice, Channel 7.
• BEST LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SERIES - Parkinson in Australia, Network 10.
• BEST LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM - Women's Weekly Fashion Awards.
• BEST MUSICAL PROGRAM - The Don Lane Show, Channel 9.
• BEST CHILDREN'S LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - The Curiosity Show.
• BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS - Nationwide, ABC.
• BEST SPORTING TELECAST - 1981 VFL Grand Final.
• BEST SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SERIES - Bryan Brown, A Town Like Alice, Channel 7.
• BEST SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SERIES - Rowena Wallace, Sons & Daughters.
• BEST LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT PERSONALITY - Ian Turpie, The New Price is Right.
• BEST NEWSREADER - Jim Waley, Channel 9.
• BEST CHILDREN'S TV PERSONALITY - Humphrey Bear.
• BEST TV PLAY OR TV MOVIE DIRECTION - Di Drew, 1915, ABC.
• BEST DRAMA SCRIPT - Out of Line, ABC.
• BEST DRAMA SERIES SCRIPT - Peter Yeldham, 1915, ABC.
• BEST MUSICAL SCORE - Shirl's Neighbourhood, Channel 7.
• BEST COSTUME DESIGN - Jim Murray, 1915, ABC.
• BEST SET DESIGN & BEST EDITING - The Women's Weekly Fashion Awards.

November 1983

• BEST DRAMA PROGRAM - The Dean Case, ABC
• BEST LIMITED-MINI SERIES DRAMA PROGRAM - The Dismissal, Channel 10
• BEST DRAMA SERIAL - Carson's Law, Channel 10
• BEST CHILDREN'S DRAMA - Kicking Around
• BEST MUSICAL-VARIETY SERIES - The Daryl Somers Show, Channel 9
• BEST LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT NON-MUSICAL SERIES - Sale of the Century, Channel 9.
• BEST VARIETY PROGRAM - Sydney Entertainment Centre Opening, Channel 9.
• BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS - Focus.
• BEST NEWS PROGRAM - Eye Witness News, Channel 10.
• BEST NEWS STORY - The Azaria Chamberlain Case, Channel 10.
• BEST DOCUMENTARY - Birdmen of Kilimanjaro, Channel 10.
• BEST SPORTS TELECAST - The Commonwealth Games, ABC.
• BEST SINGLE PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LIMITED MINISERIES - Bill Hunter, The Dismissal, Channel 10.
• BEST SINGLE PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SERIES - William Zappa, Women of the Sun.
• BEST SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SERIAL/SERIES - Kevin Miles, Carson's Law, Channel 10.
• BEST SINGLE PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SERIES - Mawuyul Yanthaluwuy, Women of the Sun.
• BEST SINGLE PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SERIAL - Sally McKenzie, Cop Shop, Channel 7.
• BEST SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SERIAL/SERIES - Rowena Wallace, Sons & Daughters, Channel 7.
• BEST LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT PERSONALITY - Bert Newton, The Don Lane Show,Channel 9.
• BEST NEWSREADER - David Johnston, Channel 10.
• BEST TV PLAY OR TV MOVIE DIRECTION - George Miller, The Dismissal, Channel 10.
• BEST DRAMA SERIES SCRIPT - Sonia Borg & Hyllus Maris, Women of the Sun.
• BEST DRAMA SERIAL SCRIPT - Terry Stapleton, Carson' Law, Channel 10.
• BEST LIGHTING & BEST SET DESIGN - Carson's Law, Channel 10.

January 1985

• BEST SINGLE PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SERIAL - Frank Gallacher, A Country Practice, Channel 7.
• BEST LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT PERSONALITY - Ian Turpie, The New Price is Right, Channel 7.
• BEST SINGLE PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINISERIES - Jack Thompson, Waterfront, Channel 10.
• BEST SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SERIES - Lorraine Bayley, Carson's Law, Channel 10.
• BEST NEWSREADERS - David Johnson & Jo Pearson, Eyewitness News, Channel 10.
• BEST SINGLE PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES - Greta Scacchi, Waterfront, Channel 10.
• BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PERSONALITY - Jim Waley, Sunday, Channel 9.
• BEST LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT VARIETY SERIES - Paul Hogan's England, Channel 9.
• BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS - Sunday, Channel 9.
• BEST MUSICAL SCORE - Bruce Rowland, All the River's Run, Channel 7.
• BEST MINISERIES DRAMA PROGRAM - All the River's Run, Channel 7.
• BEST SINGLE DRAMA PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR - Warren Mitchell, Man of Letters.
• BEST TV PLAY/TV MOVIE DIRECTION - Michael Jenkins, Scales of Justice, ABC.
• BEST SINGLE PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Dinah Shearing, Man of Letters.
• BEST PERFORMANCE IN A MINI-SERIES, Henri Szeps, Palace of Dreams, ABC TV.
• CRITICS AWARD - Sunday, Channel 9.

1986

• BEST DRAMA SERIAL - Prisoner. Channel 10
• BEST MINI SERIES - The Dunera Boys. Channel 10
• BEST SITUATION COMEDY - Mother and Son. ABC
• BEST ONE-OFF DRAMA - The Perfectionist. Channel 10
• BEST SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL/ SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES/ SERIAL - Mark Little, The Flying Doctors. Network Nine
• BEST PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A ONE-OFF DRAMA - Simon Chilvers, The Dunera Boys. Channel 10
• BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE IN A ONE-OFF DRAMA - Shane Connor, Emerging. ABC
• BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SERIES - Max Cullen, The Flying Doctors.
• BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE IN A ONE-OFF DRAMA - Dasha Blahova, Displaced Persons, ABC
• BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SERIES - Glenda Linscott, Prisoner, Network Ten
• BEST SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SERIES - Ruth Cracknell, Mother and Son, ABC
• BEST PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A ONE-OFF DRAMA - Julia Blake, The Dunera Boys, Channel Ten
• BEST MINISERIES SCRIPT - Ben Lewin, The Dunera Boys, Channel Ten
• BEST NEWS PROGRAM - Eyewitness News - Russell Street Bombing.
• BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS - Sunday. Network Nine
• BEST NEWSREADER - Brian Naylor
• BEST DOCUMENTARY - Coup d'État. ABC
• BEST SPORTING TELECAST - 1985 Australian Grand Prix. Network Nine
• CRITICS AWARD - Four Corners. ABC
• BEST CHILDREN'S DRAMA - Top Kids. ATV10.

1987

• BEST ONE-OFF DRAMA/ MINISERIES - Vietnam. Network Ten
• BEST DRAMA SERIES/ SERIAL - Rafferty's Rules. Channel Seven
• BEST LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM - Hey, Hey, It's Saturday. Channel Nine
• BEST ONE-OFF VARIETY PROGRAM - Elton John - Tour de Force. ABC
• BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM - Four Corners - Dead Heart. ABC
• BEST NEWS PROGRAM - Clifton Hill Massacre. HSV-7
• BEST TELEVISION DOCUMENTARY - Suzi's Story. Network Ten
• BEST SPORTING TELECAST - Australian Grand Prix. Network Nine
• BEST PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE IN A ONE-OFF DRAMA - Drew Forsythe, Whose Baby? Channel Seven
• BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE IN A ONE-OFF DRAMA - Anne Phelan, The Harp in the South. Network Ten
• BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A ONE-OFF DRAMA - Lisa Crittenden, Whose Baby? Channel Seven
• BEST PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A SERIES/ SERIAL - Gerard Kennedy, The Flying Doctors. Network Nine
• BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SERIES/SERIAL - Anne Charleston, Neighbours. Network Ten
• BEST SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SERIES - Anne Haddy, Neighbours.
• BEST LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT PERSONALITY - Max Gillies, ABC
• BEST NEWSREADER - Brian Naylor. Network Nine
• BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PRESENTER, Andrew Olle, Four Corners, ABC
• BEST WEATHER PRESENTER - Rob Gell. Network Ten
• BEST SPORTS PRESENTER - Sandy Roberts. Channel Seven

1988

• BEST MINISERIES - The Shiralee. Channel Seven.
• BEST DRAMA SERIES - Rafferty's Rules. Channel Seven.
• BEST ACTOR IN A SERIES - Peter Carroll, Rafferty's Rules.
• BEST SCRIPTWRITER, DRAMA SERIES - Michael Cove, Rafferty's Rules
• BEST CHILDREN'S DRAMA - Peter and Pompey
• BEST SCRIPTWRITER, ONE-OFF DRAMA - John Misto, Peter and Pompey
• BEST CHILDREN'S PROGRAMME - Kaboodle
• BEST JUVENILE ACTOR - Damien Walters - Captain Johnno
• BEST LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME - Hey, Hey, It's Saturday
• BEST SPECIAL EVENT - John Farnham. Age of Reason. Live at the Expo Concert.
• BEST COMEDY - The Comedy Company. Channel Ten.
• BEST NEWS PROGRAMME - National Nine News.
• BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS - Page One, Channel Ten.
• BEST SPORTS TELECAST - Australian Open Tennis Final. Channel Seven.
• BEST DOCUMENTARY - Out of Sight, Out of Mind.
• BEST ACTOR IN A ONE-OFF DRAMA - Steve Bisley - The Clean Machine. Channel Ten.
• BEST ACTRESS IN A ONE-OFF DRAMA - Anne Phelan - Poor Man's Orange. Channel Ten.
• BEST ACTRESS IN A SERIAL - Lenore Smith - The Flying Doctors. Channel Nine.

1989

• Gretel Killeen - "OZ RAP" (writer/performer)

1990

• Best Sports Reporter - Stephen Phillips, Channel Nine

External links

• Television Society of Australia Awards at the Internet Movie Database