Awards Presented in Region 34

In Region 34, we present a range of awards, to honour competition achievements, in addition to member contributions and achievements. To navigate quickly to an awards category, please use the links in the table of contents, below.

Table of contents

Sweet Adelines Regional Competition Awards

These awards are the same in every Sweet Adelines International (SA) region.

Chorus Awards

The first place chorus receives a perpetual plaque from SA, as well as a cup from the region – see below.

In addition, each competing member of the first place chorus and the director will receive the official medal purchased by Region 34 from SA headquarters. Medals will be purchased from SA headquarters from regional funds.

The following awards are presented by SA at the Region 34 Annual Convention and Competition:

First Place Chorus or Champion Chorus (perpetual plaque and medal on blue ribbon)
Second Place Chorus (medal on red ribbon)
Third Place Chorus (medal on white ribbon)
Fourth Place Chorus (medal on yellow ribbon)
Fifth Place Chorus (medal on green ribbon)

Quartet Awards

The champion quartet receives the region’s perpetual trophy. In addition, each competing member of the champion quartet receives the official medal purchased by the region from SA headquarters. Medals are purchased from SA headquarters from regional funds.

The following awards are presented by SA at the Region 34 Annual Convention and Competition:

First Place Quartet (perpetual trophy and medal on blue ribbon)
Second Place Quartet (medal on red ribbon)
Third Place Quartet (medal on white ribbon)
Fourth Place Quartet (medal on yellow ribbon)
Fifth Place Quartet (medal on green ribbon)

Most Improved Chorus Award

The Most Improved Chorus Award is presented by SA.

The winner is the chorus that shows the greatest increase in total points over the preceding year’s competition. If a tie exists between two or more contestants, multiple awards are presented.

Each member of the Most Improved Chorus receives a ribbon from SA and a medal from Region 34, and the chorus receives a perpetual trophy from Region 34.

First to Third Place Division AA (midsize chorus) Awards

Sweet Adelines International presents awards for midsize choruses (31–60 singers) in the Division AA category as follows:

First Place (medal on blue ribbon)
Second Place (medal on red ribbon)
Third Place (medal on white ribbon).

First to Third Place Division A (small chorus) Awards

Sweet Adelines International presents Awards to small choruses (15–30 singers) in the Division A category as follows:

First Place (medal on blue ribbon)
Second Place (medal on red ribbon)
Third Place (medal on white ribbon)

Certificates of Recognition

SA produces Certificates of Recognition for every chorus that competes in regional competition, signifying their participation in that competition.

Harmony 500 Director (from 2017)

Achieved the level of Certified Director
Directed a chorus that scored at least 500 points in a regional competition and been that chorus’s director for at least one year.

Master Director

Achieved the level of Certified Director
Directed a chorus that scored at least 600 points in a regional competition or 1,200 points, combining points from the competition song and entertainment package, in an international competition and been that chorus’s director for at least one year.

Region 34 is proud to have the following Master Directors:

Currently directing:

Lea Baker – Endeavour Harmony Chorus
Louise Brannon – Redland Rhapsody Chorus
Vicki Dwyer – Circular Keys Chorus
Glenda Lloyd – Brindabella Chorus
Joanne Oosterhoff – A Cappella West Chorus

No longer directing:

Tracey Cam – Bathurst Panorama Chorus
Lindsey Dyer (vale) – A Cappella West Chorus
Carole Macintyre – Perth Harmony Chorus
Cathy Rainey – Perth Harmony Chorus
Marian Reinsch (vale) – Melbourne Chorus
Traci Voss – Melbourne Chorus
Jeanette Whitmore – Vocal Vibes Chorus

Master Director 700

Participant must have achieved the level of Master Director
Participant must direct a chorus in competition that achieves a minimum of 700 points in a regional chorus competition or 1,400 points, combining points from the competition song and entertainment package, in an international chorus competition and must have been that chorus’s director at least a year.

Region 34 does not have any of these (yet!)

Region 34 Competition Awards

In addition to the SA awards (which are the same in every regional competition), Region 34 also presents some awards of its own:

Champion Chorus Trophy

In 2018, Endeavour Harmony Chorus donated a perpetual trophy to the region to be given as a regional award to the Champion Chorus at regional convention.

Novice Quartet Award

The award is presented by Region 34 to a quartet participating in regional competition that meets the following criteria:

Awarded to the highest-scoring eligible quartet in the contest, with a minimum of 400 points having been achieved.
Must have at least three members of the quartet who have not previously competed (or performed for evaluation) in a quartet at any national or international barbershop contest. This includes the 2022 Region 34 Video Contest and other video judging when the performance was carried out on a competition stage at a dedicated national or international event, but does not include:
- Private/isolated recordings and submissions to competitions
- Videos recorded in another concert or festival setting where not all performers were competing;
- Competing at Barbershop Harmony Australia regional (state-based) competitions

The award is presented during the convention weekend. The Novice Quartet Trophy was donated by Linda Wareham. The quartet will also receive pins and a free coaching session by a member of the Regional Education Faculty.

Marian Clarke Novice Director Award

This regional award is a perpetual trophy presented to a director at each competition who:

Has not previously directed a competing chorus in a contestable barbershop arrangement on the contest stage in any national or international barbershop competition. This includes video judging when the performance was carried out on a competition stage at a dedicated national or international event, but does not include:
- Private/isolated recordings and submissions to competitions;
- Videos recorded in any other concert or festival settings where not all performers were competing;
- Competing at Barbershop Harmony Australia regional (state-based) competitions
Has been nominated as a director or co-director during the Competition Coordinator's chorus briefing at regional convention
Achieves the highest score of all novice directors in that competition, with a minimum of 400 points

Most Improved Quartet (Wendy Middleton) Award

This regional award, in the form of a perpetual trophy plus individual pins, is awarded to the quartet whose score demonstrates the largest increase in points since the previous year’s competition (no minimum score).

To be eligible, the quartet must:

Have competed in the previous regional competition
Include at least three of the same members competing in this year’s competition (i.e. only one replacement member).

Brava Award

In the Open Division, choruses and quartets can perform an entertainment package consisting of one competition song along with other songs and material for a maximum of ten minutes.

The Brava Award is awarded each year at regional convention if there is a competitor in the Open Division that year. There is one Brava Award for the chorus contest and one for the quartet contest. If there is only one competitor in a particular contest’s Open Division, they are presented with this award as recognition of their work. If there are multiple competitors, 100 audience members are randomly chosen to vote for the most entertaining package

Chorus Certificates of Excellence

Each year choruses will receive Certificates of Excellence from Region 34 for reaching significant milestone scores.

These certificates will be awarded to choruses who reach the 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700 and 750 score milestones for the first time.

Region 34 Non-Competition Awards

Region 34 Hall of Fame

Established in 2020, the Hall of Fame is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement, which is presented to eligible recipient(s) chosen from nominations submitted to the RMT.

Membership in the Region 34 Hall of Fame is awarded to people who have given selflessly of their time, talents, and expertise for the love and joy of singing, and who have had a profound impact on the entire membership of Region 34. This honour may be bestowed posthumously.

Visit our public Hall of Fame page to see the people who have been honoured with membership in the Region 34 Hall of Fame.

Lindsey Dyer Achievement Award

The Lindsey Dyer Achievement Award is presented annually at the Region 34 Convention and Competition to a chorus or quartet from Region 34. This award was established in 2021 in memory of the late Lindsey Dyer, who was a passionate leader within Region 34. Lindsey contributed to the Region in many ways: as an eight-time winning bass in three champion quartets, Master Co-Director of a champion chorus, a founding Director of two choruses, a member of the Regional Education Faculty, Education Coordinator, Directors' Coordinator, a mentor, coach, and friend to many.

Nominations for the Lindsey Dyer Achievement Award are invited from (or on behalf of) choruses and quartets which, over the last year, have worked to improve their performance and skills while upholding the values of Sweet Adelines International in Region 34. This may be demonstrated by consistent attendance at regional education events, working with Regional Education Faculty and/or coaches, engagement with the community, positive group culture and, most of all, a love of barbershop with demonstrable initiative and commitment to the values of Sweet Adelines International. The winning group receives a perpetual trophy and a certificate.

Past recipients of the Lindsey Dyer Achievement Award:

2021 – Blue Sky Harmony
2022 – Vocal Vibes Chorus
2023 – Cocktail Hour Quartet and Redland Rhapsody Chorus

Marian Reinsch Award

This award recognises excellence in Director Certification Program (DCP) achievement and is awarded every second year, in even years.

Since 2018, the award also comes with a $1000 scholarship ($500 donated by the Reinsch family and $500 by the region) for further education of a newly certified director.

Of those who have completed the course over the two years leading up to the award, the three with the best overall results are nominated for the award, and the final decision is made by a selection committee comprising the DCP Coordinator, the Directors’ Coordinator and Education Coordinator. The decision is made by 1 March of the relevant year, and announced at convention in the same year.

Past recipients of the Marian Reinsch Award are:

2008 – Kerani Francis, Aurora Australis
2010 – Bec Mutton (now Hewitt), A Cappella West
2012 – Cathy Gordon, Headliners Chorus
2014 – Karen Ramirez, Endeavour Harmony Chorus
2016 – Sharon Stanley, Vocal Edge Blue Mountains Chorus
2018 – Henrietta Farr, Vocal Vibes Chorus
2020 – Judy Ferguson, Murrumbidgee Magic Chorus
2022 – Karen Gonsalves, Perth Harmony Chorus

Sweet Adeline of the Year Awards

These awards are presented by Region 34 to recognise and thank our members who work tirelessly to ensure the success of our choruses and of our region. This award was an initiative of Margaret Richards, a long-standing member of the Southern Cross Region, who has served at both chorus and regional levels for many years.

Each chartered chorus our region, and Chapter-At-Large, is invited to submit one Sweet Adeline of the Year nominee from their chapter. All nominees will be recognised as award winners. Candidates may or may not hold an elected or other high-profile position within their chapters or Region 34.

The ideal candidates serve their chapters and region to the best of their ability, without thought of personal gain, but solely for the love of the organisation. Candidates should display many or all of the following traits:

Proudly exemplify the best of Sweet Adelines
Have excellent attendance records at rehearsals, performances, fundraising and other chorus activities
Willingly take on responsibilities and generously donate their skills when required
Can be depended upon to carry through tasks/projects to completion
Show keen interest in chorus affairs, respecting and supporting decisions made by chorus Management Team/Board or Music Staff
Believe in the importance of their personal marketing responsibility to present their choruses, the region and SA in the most positive way to the general public.

All chapter nominees will be presented with a certificate and badge at the annual regional convention. Although it is intended to be a very special occasion for all recipients of these awards, attendance at convention is not a pre-requisite to receiving the honour.

Sweet Adelines Australia Marketing Awards

Recognition is given to chorus marketing teams for the work they do to promote their chorus performances, membership drives, fundraising efforts and other activities.

Certificates of achievement are awarded and the entries are displayed in the foyer at regional convention.

International Non-Competition Awards

The Ann Gooch Award

Ann Gooch is a Sweet Adelines pioneer, responsible for establishing and growing regions outside of the USA for over 30 years. Since 2001, SA has presented an award in Ann’s name to recognise outstanding achievements in education and promotion of barbershop harmony singing in a worldwide region or satellite area.

We congratulate our region’s winners of this prestigious award:

2001 – Cathy Rainey, Western Australia
2009 – Lea Baker, New South Wales
2010 – Linda Wareham, New South Wales
2016 – Carole Macintyre, Western Australia
2020 – Glenda Lloyd, Australian Capital Territory
2021 – Joanne Oosterhoff, Western Australia