Congratulations to AFTRS alumni Warwick Young (Master of Screen Arts, 2012) and Sue Maslin (Master of Screen Arts and Business, 2013) who both received Australia Day honours.
Warwick Young has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) (General Division) within the Australian honours system for service to veterans and their families. Warwick received the honour for his work with veterans and the screen/arts sector.
Warwick has been a Services Member of the Veterans’ Review Board since 2008. He is the drama coach at the Australian Defence Force Arts for Recovery, Resilience and Teamwork (ARRTS) program and was a cast member and advisor for The Long Way Home, a Sydney Theatre Company and Australian Defence Force production, staged in 2013/14.
The Long Way Home was a joint venture between the Sydney Theatre Company and the Australian Defence Force. Wounded, injured and ill defence personnel were drawn from all three services and a play was developed and written through a workshop in 2013 at the STC, the play was then performed in 2014 having a national tour. Warwick worked initially as an advisor to both the STC and the ADF in the development of the production and then was a mentor and cast member of the play. The cast was predominantly veterans who were recovering from their various disabilities – both mental and physical.
The ADF Arts for Recovery, Resilience and Teamwork (ARRTS) program came out of The Long Way Home. Warwick was asked to work on the design and delivery of a program that, in addition to drama, included music, visual arts and creative writing as mediums for recovery therapy. Warwick became the head drama coach for this program.
Warwick is also developing a Veteran’s Film Training Program in collaboration with AFTRS, that will train veterans in film and radio production skills.
Neil Peplow CEO of AFTRS said: “Warwick is a very talented director and actor who is using his talents to assist veterans to re-integrate into the community in a way that builds a more compassionate society for all. AFTRS warmly congratulates him on receiving this significant honour.”
Warwick Young said: “I am very honoured and humbled to be acknowledged in this way. Veterans’ stories are important to the cultural fabric of our society. So, as an actor and filmmaker, I have been privileged to assist other veterans in the telling of their stories and in helping them change their lives through the positive benefits that come from art therapy.”
Producer of films such as The Dressmaker and Japanese Story, Maslin was named an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to the Australian film industry as a producer, and through roles with professional bodies.
“I am thrilled and humbled to be honoured in this way,” said Maslin. “My contribution has been in partnership with so many brilliant and creative people and it means a lot if our work has made a positive difference to the Australian screen industry and in particular, women.”
Maslin established production and distribution company Film Art Media with Daryl Dellora in 2008, and most recently executive produced documentary Jill Bilcock: Dancing the Invisible. Maslin is known as a strong proponent for the increased participation of women in the screen industry. A founding member of Screen Australia’s Gender Matters taskforce, she is a patron and former president of WIFT Victoria, and continues to serve as inaugural president of the Natalie Miller Fellowship. Via: insidefilm.com