In 1998 The Rotary Club of Galston, the organisers of the highly successful Galston Country Music Festival, agreed to support the presentation of an annual award by the Festival Patron Mr Frank Ifield.

It was envisaged initially that this was an encouragement award to be presented to whomever the Patron selected as his choice for the best new Independent Australian Country Music performer each year. The criteria for selection was simply based on the strength of a recording judged by Mr Ifield to be of a high standard and indicating further potential as determined by him.

Later the focus centred on the potential global appeal of the recording, the artist's individual style and professionalism of performance both on and off the stage. This international appeal became critical, as a significant component of the award is the release to international airplay (particularly the UK & Europe) on Mr Ifield's recommendation and the further use of Mr Ifield's worldly expertise and experience to assist in promoting Australian talent overseas.

First known as the "Frank Ifield Award"

1998: Colin Greatorix
1999: Melinda Schneider and Michael Carr
2000: Wayne Horsburgh - The once only special "Millennium Award"

Name change to the "Frank Ifield International Spur Award"

2001: Karen O'Shea
2002: Wayne Law
2003: Donna Boyd
2004: Graham G Toole
2005: Stacey Morris
2006: Travis Collins
2007: Karen Lynne
2008: Kirsty Lee Akers

Karen O'Shea, Wayne Law and Donna Boyd each have, as a result enjoyed significant success in the European radio play-list charts including top 10 hits. Donna Boyd's tour of the UK and Eire in 2004 was the most extensive schedule ever undertaken by an independent Australian artist and Wayne Law has toured Europe since his award.

Subject to a suitable recipient, Mr Ifield on behalf of the Rotary Club of Galston and the Galston Country Music Festival presents this unique Award each year at Bob Howe's "Canterbury Country" show held on the second Thursday in March on the main stage at the Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club.

Sources & further information:
www.frankifield.com
www.galstonfestival.com
www.shownet.com.au
The Rotary Club of Galston - PO Box 103 Galston NSW 2159 - tpage@ozemail.com.au

Later that night, the show's host Bob Howe also introduced KAREN O'SHEA who won the 2001 International Spur award and went on to reach #7 on the European Country Music Top 40, and WAYNE HORSBURGH, winner of the 2000 Millennium Achievement Spur Award.

The Frank Ifield Awards 2001/2000

The Rotary Club of Galston, in conjunction with its annual Galston Festival, has developed the Frank Ifield Award as an encouragement award with a focus on new talent. The inscription on the awards reads "...In recognition of artistic talent with the desire to promote and achieve excellence in the entertainment profession..." The 2001 awards were presented in Sydney on March 8th by Frank Ifield himself, in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL, midway through the monthly 'Canterbury Country' show. Best New Male Performer 2001 went to Michael G. Carr (pictured above left) and Best New Female Performer 2001 to Karen O'Shea (pictured above right). Karen was in Darwin at the time, however she would have been able to see photos from the presentation that same night via the Internet! Galston Country Music Festival executives Tony & Vikki Page (pictured above centre) accepted the award on her behalf. A special 2000 Millennium Achievement Award was also presented to a very surprised and delighted Wayne Horsburgh (pictured above centre), "for exemplary professionalism both on and off stage, and having successfully made a career both in Australia and the United States". "Wayne is an excellent ambassador for Australia and as such is a perfect role model for aspiring new talent," said Frank during the presentations.

 

Later that year, at the Galston Country Music Festival, Frank got a chance to catch up with Karen O'Shea who was performing there.

Photo of Frank above by Eyeball Photoimages.
All other pix by Bob Howe.

More on Karen O'Shea and Wayne Horsburgh...

---

The Frank Ifield Awards 1999

Presented during the live radio broadcast of the Frank Ifield Sunday Special at the 2KY Racing Radio Charity Day, Rooty Hill RSL - 17th October 1999. Held in aid of the Australian Quadriplegic Association

Left: Melinda Schneider receives the Frank Ifield Award for Best New Female Artist. Right: Colin Greatorix receives the Best New Male Artist from Carole and Frank Ifield.

Left: Darcy LeYear and Frank. Right: Melinda and 2KY personality Donnie Sutherland.

Wayne Horsburgh sings and chats with Frank.

Left: Frank with some fans wearing 2KY hats. Right: Southern Cross Linedancers in full flight.

Left: Frank entertains the crowd. Right: Webmaster Bob Howe chats with Frank.

Real Audio greeting from Wayne, Melinda and Frank!  

BACK TO TOP OF PAGE