State Water wins national award for special event
28 October 2010
State Water received national recognition for its Back to Burrinjuck centenary celebrations at the Public Relations Institute of Australia’s (PRIA) annual Golden Target Awards, held in Darwin on Monday, 25 October 2010.
Back to Burrinjuck was held between 19-25 October, 2009 to mark 100 years since construction began on Burrinjuck Dam, located near Yass in southern NSW.
State Water, in conjunction with PR agency Sauce Communications orchestrated the event, which included dam tours, a reunion dinner dance, film festival and memorabilia exhibition, a cocktail event, plaque unveiling and schools program.
The most moving event was a church service to commemorate those who died during construction.
State Water Communication Coordinator Tony Webber said the event was a rewarding experience for both State Water and the local community.
“The event turned out to be a real milestone for both State Water and the wider irrigation community, as Burrinjuck Dam’s construction represented the birth of downstream irrigation communities and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area,” Mr Webber said .
The pinnacle of the program was the opening of the dam wall to the public for the first time in 20 years, with demand so high that the scheduled tour program was doubled.
“A lot of hard work went into the event from both State Water staff in head office and on site at Burrinjuck, but also Sauce Communications who put a lot of time into the event management.
“The event was a complete success and we are honoured to receive such a prestigious award,” he said.
The PRIA Golden Target Awards recognise excellence, best practice and professionalism in public relations.
All winners of the PRIA State Awards for Excellence are considered for the National Golden Target Awards where they are assessed against other entries in the same category from around the country.
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Photo courtesy Deb Ost Photography
