070/06
14 July 2006
An Outstanding 30 Years of Innovation and Artistry – Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon
The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, expresses her regret following today’s announcement of the resignations of Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon from the Sydney Dance Company.
“Together Graeme and Janet have collaborated on many iconic contemporary dance productions going back over 30 years,” Senator Coonan said.
“Graeme and Janet built a repertoire of genuine originality and a company built on strong technical standards. The Sydney Dance Company has taken Australian contemporary dance to the world, receiving widespread acclaim.”
Side by side Graeme and Janet have led Sydney Dance Company on more than twenty international tours in Asia, Europe, North and South America.
In 2001, they received the Helpmann Award for Best Choreography for Body of Work – A Retrospective. In 2002, they were commissioned by The Australian Ballet for its 40th Anniversary to create a new and unique Swan Lake, which won numerous awards and emerged as a major milestone in Janet and Graeme's celebrated creative partnership.
Their 2005 projects include the creation and production of Grand for Sydney Dance Company and Mulan, collaboration between Shanghai Song and Dance Ensemble and most recently, The Silver Rose, a commissioned full-length work for the Bayerisches Staatsballet, Munchen.
“Over the years, I have had the pleasure of enjoying many of their remarkably diverse repertoires of dance works. I have been enthralled and fascinated by the scale and originality of many performances.
“I understand that both Graeme and Janet will stay with the Company for one last Sydney Dance Company tour to North America in February and March 2007.
“I also understand that their services will not be completely lost to the Sydney Dance Company as we can expect them to return from time to time on a guest basis.
“The Australian Government has been a long-term supporter of the Sydney Dance Company, since 1995 with total funding of more than $15 million,” Senator Coonan said.
In 2003, the Australian Government's presented Graeme with the Centenary Medal in honour of his contribution to the development of dance in Australia and in 2004 he was named Cultural Leader of the Year.
In 1989 Janet was awarded an AM for Services to Dance and in 1993, she was honoured at the Inaugural Sydney Opera House Honours, for her twenty years of dedication. In 2003 she received the Green Room Award for Concept and Realisation and was awarded the Centenary Medal for services to society and dance.
“I trust we will continue to see their influence on the contemporary dance scene in Australia and internationally for many more years ahead.
“I would like to thank Graeme and Janet for the enormous contribution that they have made to Australian contemporary dance over three decades and wish them every success in any new endeavours they may wish to undertake.
“They leave Sydney Dance Company with a magnificent legacy,” Senator Coonan said.