Originally inspired by Jeff Jones attending the inaugural Gippsland Amateur Theatre Awards in 1992. He took his idea of having awards in his local area to Trish Juster-Schofield and a meeting was held to ascertain the feasibility of the awards. Together they formed the Lyrebird Awards to celebrate excellence and encourage participation within non professional performing arts associations.
At the Lyrebird Awards, we value:
- Celebration of theatrical artistic endeavour;
- Recognition of artistic merit in theatre;
- Encouraging participation in the outer-eastern metropolitan region;
- Encouraging new talent of all ages;
- Sustaining ethical standards;
- Maintaining fair standards.
AIMS OF THE LYREBIRDS
The following are taken from the 1994 programme; they have since been expanded into our current Mission Statement and Key Values.
- To promote local theatre throughout the region
- To unite people with a love for theatre for one magic night
- To pay tribute to the many, many people who volunteer their time and energy to entertain audiences throughout the Dandenong Ranges and the Yarra Valley.
In 1995 the following was added to the original – To recognise the outstanding theatrical talent which abounds in our region
