Other VAC Awards
Winners of all of the awards mentioned below from 1969-2023, along with the Benny Awards for that period, are listed alphabetically in this PDF – VAC Award Recipients Alphabetical 1969-2023. For more details about the prestigious annual Benny Award, please visit our Benny Award page.
The other (non-Benny) VAC awards given each year include:
Agnew Award for Excellence – Awarded to a VAC member who has shown a high degree of professionalism throughout their career. This is one of two members-only awards presented by the VAC.
Fullers Entertainment Award – Introduced at our 2012 awards evening, the Fullers Entertainment Award is to recognise the contributions to the industry of someone who is themselves not an entertainer. The award is named in tribute of Fullers Entertainment Bureau, started by Mary Throll in 1954. Fullers was for many years one of New Zealand’s most successful entertainment agencies, at one time handling most of New Zealand’s top performers.
International Achievement Award – Introduced at our 2016 Benny Awards evening, the Limelight Productions International Achievement Award is presented to a New Zealand individual or group who has made an outstanding impact or contribution to the entertainment industry on an international level.
Pat McMinn Rising Star Award – The Pat McMinn Rising Star Award is to recognise a young talented performer or ensemble beginning a promising career. Although there is no age restriction, the nomination and selection process should have a focus on youth.
Rielly Comedy Award – Presented to a performer who has achieved excellence in the field of comedy. The award is named after legendary New Zealand performers Sylvia and Jack Rielly.
Presidents Medallion – This award was created (in 2017) to recognise worthy recipients for any reason, at the President’s discretion. It’s a presentation medallion, that can be worn by the recipient.
Presidents Distinction Award – This award was created in 2022. The President’s Distinction Award is given to worthy individuals who have provided service to the VAC or are otherwise deserving of recognition, at the President’s discretion. This is a printed and framed certificate award.
Patron’s Award – An award given at the discretion of the Patron(s), to deserving individuals. This award may not necessarily be given every year.
Nostalgia Award – Awarded to acknowledge great NZ artists now retired who had not been property recognized by the entertainment industry during the height of their careers. This award may not necessarily be given every year.
Top Children’s Entertainer Award – Presented to the Top Children’s Entertainer, to recognize excellence in that field of entertainment during the year.
Top Group Award – Presented to the Top Group, to recognize excellence in that field of entertainment during the year.
Top Female Artist Award – Presented to the Top Female Artist, to recognize excellence in that field of entertainment during the year.
Top Male Artist Award – Presented to the Top Male Artist, to recognize excellence in that field of entertainment during the year.
Top Musician Award – Presented to the Top Musician, to recognize excellence in that field of entertainment during the year.
Top Variety Artist Award – Presented to the Top Variety Artist, to recognize excellence in that field of entertainment during the year.
Unsung Hero Award – Awarded to recognise an individual or group that has laboured quietly over the years supporting entertainment in the community but has never been honoured with an award of any kind. This award may not necessarily be given every year.
VAC Scrolls of Honour – To recognize an unselfish or exceptional contribution to the betterment of the entertainment industry either through assisting others, charity work, dedication and proficiency in their field and/or lifetime achievement. Recipients do not have to be entertainers. For example, they can be in related activities i.e. promoters, broadcasters, filmmakers, journalists etc, or family members that work tirelessly in the background.