Last Friday, 11 September, saw the first of the 2015 Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) State Awards for Excellence ceremonies taking place at the Pullman Hotel King George Square, Brisbane. More than 75 guests turned out to celebrate the finest PR campaigns and professionals in Queensland.

On the night, six winning, four highly commended, and six commended campaigns were recognised – with nine other awards shortlisted – across 15 categories.

The Queensland PR industry’s night-of-nights showcased inspiring creativity and innovation, all enjoyed over a fun night of elegant banqueting and music. Clients, staff, and peers danced the night away in the delightful surrounds of the Connaught Room at The Pullman.

Category	Title of Entry	Company	Entrant	Result
Big Budget	Transurban’s Acquisition of Queensland Motorways Limited	Rowland	Kelly Robinson	WINNER
Community Relations	Gold Coast Light Rail – Community Relations	P4 Group	P4 Group / GoldlinQ / Department of Transport and Main Roads	Highly Commended
Community Relations	Smith Street Motorway and Olsen Avenue Interchange Upgrade	The Comms Team	The Comms Team	Commended
Community Relations	Legacy Way – A new community relations benchmark	Brisbane City Council, City Projects Office	Legacy Way Independent Community Liaison Representative	Shortlisted
Consumer Marketing	Mater Mothers’ Hospital Beautiful Moments Mother’s Day Campaign 2015	Mater Health Services	Jacqueline Hayes	Shortlisted
Experiential	Rolling out a ‘redi-revival’: rediATM Big Wednesday Giveaway	Cole Lawson Communications	Erin Rigby	WINNER
Government Sponsored Campaigns	P4 Group G20 Cultural Celebrations	P4 Group	P4 Group / The Department of Premier and Cabinet – G20 Cultural Celebrations Unit	Shortlisted
Government Sponsored Campaigns	Queen Street Mall Visioning Plan	Phillips Group	Helen Hutchings	Shortlisted
Health Organisations	Heart of Australia: On the highway to health	Sophia Arthur, Freelance Communication Consultant	Sophia Arthur	Shortlisted
In-house PR Team of the Year	Regatta Hotel	Regatta Hotel	Patrick Macdonald	WINNER
In-house PR Team of the Year	Gold Coast Football Club	Gold Coast Football Club	Stephen Wilson & Sean Tobin	Shortlisted
Integrated Marketing and Communication Campaign Strategy	Indooroopilly Shopping Centre Brand Campaign	PPR	PPR Queensland	Commended
Integrated Marketing and Communication Campaign Strategy	Brand Queensland delivery – An integrated marketing and communication campaign	Rowland	Helen Besly	Shortlisted
Internal/Change Management	Building Project BOB	Boeing Defence Australia	Stephanie Hulett	WINNER
Issues Management and Crisis Communication	It’s not rocket science – Using strategic partnerships to change the face of Logan	Logan City Council	Logan City Council Media & Communication Team	Commended
Large Consultancy of the Year	P4 Group	P4 Group	P4 Group	Shortlisted
Large Consultancy of the Year	The Red Republic	The Red Republic	Fleur Madden	Shortlisted
Small Budget/Pro Bono	Women’s Legal Services – Dancing CEO’s​	The Red Republic	Fleur Madden​	WINNER
Small Budget/Pro Bono	RAPID Roadshow	P4 Group & HIV Foundation	P4 Group / HIV Foundation QLD	Highly Commended
Small Budget/Pro Bono	Queensland Community Foundation – Philanthropy Week 2015	Rowland	Helen Besly	Commended
Startup	Australia’s First Swim with Humpback Whales Experience	Reflected Image PRoductions	Michelle Smytheman	Highly Commended
Sustainability/ Corporate Social Responsibility	Addressing Suicide in Queensland’s Construction Industry	PPR Queensland	Lee McLean	Commended
Top sPRinters in 2015	Erin Rigby	Cole Lawson Communications	Erin Rigby	WINNER
Top sPRinters in 2015	Hannah Statham	Tourism & Events Queensland	Hannah Statham	Highly Commended
Top sPRinters in 2015	Jessica Effeney	Phillips Group	Jessica Effeney	Commended

“In a challenging market, it is great to see the amazing results Queensland members have delivered again this year,” said PRIA Queensland President, Marie Howarth.

“Congratulations to everyone who entered and who had the courage to present their work for scrutiny by their industry and their peers. The Golden Target Awards, and State Awards for Excellence are a vital platform for our industry. Not only do they highlight the outstanding talent in our ranks, they also showcase the excellent work that is being done and help raise the bar on future performance.

The PR industry is very generous and it is gratifying to see our members support some of the most sensitive and worthy causes in our community, particularly in the small budget and pro bono section,” Howarth concluded.

Distinguished Master of ceremonies David St George kept the program on track, in his own inimitable style. A big thank you to Queensland Councillors, especially Eva Ford-Murphy and Helen Hutchings, for bringing together our industry party of the year.

Recognised entries from Friday now go in the running to be recognised at the 2015 GTA National Finals, held during the PRIA National Conference, on Monday 26 October, at Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, Tasmania.