Perth’s annual Proud Awards took place on Sunday night, celebrating the best of the city’s performing and creative arts, as well as local community groups.
Throughout the night, a wide array of awards were presented, with host Hannah Conda guiding the festivities. The RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under star reflected on her beginnings in Perth’s drag scene and recalled memorable performances and adventures from her time working at The Court Hotel and Connections Nightclub.
Perth Steam Works was inducted into the Proud Awards Hall of Fame. The venue celebrated its 30th anniversary last weekend and has undergone significant transformation in recent years under the ownership of Michael Drummond.
The Hall of Fame is the only award announced ahead of the event, while the rest of the awards have the audience eagerly awaiting the opening of the envelopes. Entertainer of the Year was awarded to Moesha, Variety Performer of the Year went to Cougar Morrison, and Lucy Lovegun was named Favourite Burlesque Performer.
Author Holden Sheppard received Creative Artist of the Year. He has found success with his books Invisible Boys, The Brink, King of Dirt, and his latest work, Yeah The Boys.
Kara Elkes, who has raised thousands of dollars to assist transgender people on their gender transition journeys through the regular club event For The Dolls, was awarded the Outstanding Community Contribution trophy and also received the Favourite LGBT+ Event of the Year award.
Variety Show of the Year went to Club D’Amour, while the show’s star, Fay Rocious, also took home the Favourite Drag King or Queen award.
Drag Show of the Year was World Wide Women. Miss Cara was recognised as Best DJ, Best New Drag Talent was awarded to Kitten Proper, and the Mx Congeniality award was presented to The Sexy Bin Chicken.
A major part of the night is the colourful array of outfits showcased on the red carpet. Donna Kebab took home the Best of the Ball award for her mile-high blonde turret of hair and paired it with an extreme turtleneck dress inspired by a galaxy far, far away.
The Proud Awards have always been a lively and unpredictable event. Drag queens “reading” each other has been a staple of the evening throughout its eleven-year run. There were moments during the lengthy presentation when some audience members may have questioned whether certain stories, remarks and comments needed to be aired on stage.
The night also featured performances from the creme de la creme of local artists with Cherry Voltage, World Wide Women, The Sexy Bin Chicken, Jaxon Coke, Bush Rat and many others
Look out for more photos of the big night coming soon.
