Bill Warnock award announced for WA screenwriters

21/8/01
Culture and the Arts Minister Sheila McHale has announced that ScreenWest and the Lotteries Commission have established the 'Bill Warnock Award for Emerging Screenwriters'.
The award is a tribute to the late Bill Warnock's substantial contribution to the Western Australian film and television community.
Ms McHale made the announcement last night at Screenwest's launch of a documentary entitled Painting Country.
The film features the journey of 10 indigenous artists from the remote community of Balgo Hills in the Kimberley region to their traditional country in the Great Sandy Desert and the art these artists create.
The $6,000 annual award will provide an emerging screenwriter with the opportunity to attend a writer's course in Hollywood.
At this course, the writer will have the opportunity to meet some of Hollywood's elite writers and producers and extend their writing and pitching skills.
One of the WA screen industry's valued members and greatest supporters, Bill Warnock died in Perth on June 16, 2001.
Ms McHale said Bill's contribution to the film and television industry was wide-ranging.
"His enthusiasm and vision contributed to the on-going support from the WA Lotteries Commission for the screen industry," she said.
"His advocacy resulted in the Lotteries Commission awarding prizes to acknowledge screen excellence and achievement. His commitment to screen culture and, in particular, to screen resource organisations such as the Film and Television Institute, laid the foundation for the development of the WA industry.
"It is most appropriate that Screenwest and the Lotteries Commission have established this award in Bill Warnock's honour."
Media contact: Priscilla Fouracres on 9213 6900