The subscription television industry has paid tribute to Charlotte Dawson with an honorary award and look back at her career at the 2014 ASTRA Awards.
The award ceremony, held in Sydney’s Carriageworks and broadcast across multiple Foxtel channels on Thursday night, acknowledged Dawson’s “exceptional contribution to the Subscription Television Industry” with an Honorary ASTRA award.
Dawson, who was found dead in her Sydney waterfront apartment last month had worked in the subscription (and free to air) television industry for nearly two decades, most recently as a judge on Australia’s Next Top Model.
The award was accepted on her behalf by her two sisters Vicky Dawson and Robin Barclay.
“Vicky and I feel very privileged to be here tonight on what is for us a very bittersweet occasion,” said Barclay.
“We’d like to thank everyone involved in giving this award, thank you all very much indeed. It would have meant a great deal to her and we’re very proud to accept this.
“For all of you Charlotte was a talented, beautiful, smart funny and totally professional performer. For Vicky and me she was our little sister and we miss her terribly.
“While I wish more than anything that she was here tonight, it’s probably the only chance in our lives that Vicky and I will ever have to get up on stage and accept an award, so thank you Charlotte. I hope you’re out there looking down on us, laughing at what has happened to us both.”
The award was quiet moment of reflection in an otherwise celebratory evening where awards across a range of categories – both industry and viewer voted – were handed out.
David Speers won for Most Outstanding Performance By A Broadcast Journalist. Photo: Getty Images
In what were the 12th annual awards, Channel Of The Year went to Showcase, home of Game of Thrones, Sons Of Anarchy, The Walking Dead and more. Most Outstanding Drama was taken out by Wentworth, the acclaimed remake of 1970s Australian TV hit Prisoner. Favourite Personality (male) went to Selling Houses Australia host Andrew Winter and Favourite Personality (female) went to his co-host Shaynna Blaze.
The biggest winner of the night was The Lifestyle Channel, with four of the five viewer-voted categories.
Chef and Paddock to Plate host Matt Moran said he was overjoyed his reality cooking series won Most Outstanding Lifestyle Program and looked forward to bring a new season to air soon.
