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ABC Washington Cameraman, Louie Eroglu has been awarded the 2012 Video Photographer of the Year by the White House News Photographers Association for the second year in a row.  

The WHNPA made the announcement overnight, recognising Eroglu’s work for 7.30 and Foreign Correspondent, with stories from West Virginia and Cuba.

In accepting the award, Eroglu said, “I’m very excited to be awarded this honour for the second year running from WHNPA.  

I was lucky enough to cover some memorable stories with ABC Australia this past year. “I just love what I do and having the opportunity to reflect in pictures the amazing beauty and complexity of life in America. I never tire of filming in the USA and working alongside so many talented WHNPA colleagues. You can easily pick me out of the crowd right now on Pennsylvania Avenue: I’m the chappie with the world’s biggest grin.”  

Louie’s colleague, Dan Sweetapple was also recognised in the awards in the News Feature, Network and Documentary categories.  

The ABC News cameramen will be honoured at the annual “Eyes of History” Gala on May 5, 2012 in Washington.

Evans, Joyce & Harris join Q&A

Monday, 27 February (AEDT) at 9.35pm on ABC1 and ABC News 24

Joining host Tony Jones on Monday, the night of Federal Labor’s leadership ballot:

Minister for Tertiary Education and Science Chris Evans 

The National’s Senator Barnaby Joyce 

Former Labor Premier Peter Beattie

Deputy Leader of the Greens Christine Milne 

Political commentator Janet Albrechtsen 

Former Senior Media Adviser to Kevin Rudd Lachlan Harris

As always, Q&A will look to the audience to ask the questions and expect to cover a wide range of issues across the national agenda.

Be informed and entertained, next  Monday night Q&A, ABC1 at 9.35pm (AEDT).

ABC News 24 and ABC News radio will continue to simulcast the program live so that Australians everywhere can join the Q&A conversation live. The program is also streamed live at abc.net.au/qanda.

 ‘Australia Network’ will also continue to broadcast Q&A into Southeast Asia and the Pacific every Monday night.

Members of the public can get involved in Q&A in a variety of ways:

• Go to abc.net.au/qanda to register to be part of future live Q&A studio audiences;
• The website is also the place to go to submit questions;
• Viewers can also contribute to the discussion via Q&A’s Twitter highlight’s feed, using #qanda;

And follow @abcqanda on Twitter to receive first-hand updates about the program and panel members.

Katrina Sedgwick, an established performing arts practitioner and one of Australia’s leading arts and screen festival directors, has been appointed the new ABC TV Head of Arts.

She will take up her position in Sydney on 11 April.

Kim Dalton, Director of ABC TV said “This new stand alone position reporting directly to me will provide stronger focus on our arts programming. 

“As a result of changes to our arts production and line up last year we have increased the resources committed to prime-time arts programming to be commissioned from the independent production sector,” he said.

“At this time of change Katrina will bring a wealth of expertise from her extensive and impressive background across the arts as a practitioner, producer and festival director. She has a track record in creating, commissioning and curating arts programming and events as well as building significant partnerships with art organisations,” said Dalton.

Sedgwick said “After nearly a decade with the Adelaide Film Festival I am ready to move on to a new challenge. The newly created role of Head of Arts offers me the exciting opportunity to extend the curatorial and management skills I have developed at the AFF and particularly its film and television investment program.”

The Adelaide Film Festival has been listed in Variety magazine’s list of Top 50 ‘Unmissable Film Festivals in the World’ – the only Australian film festival to be listed. Sedgwick established the festival and its investment fund and since 2003 has been responsible for supporting and investing in a multi award winning slate of almost 50 projects including the feature films Samson & Delilah, Look Both Ways, Ten Canoes and Snowtown, the documentaries Forbidden Lies and Mrs Carey’s Concert and the short films Spike Up! and The Palace.  

The AFF also presented a major visual arts program in association with the Samstag Museum, the Art Gallery of SA, the Experimental Art Foundation and the Contemporary Art Centre of SA, including the commissioning gallery based artworks from artist Lynette Wallworth and filmmaker Warwick Thorton.

Sedgwick conceived and created the AFF’s The Hive Laboratory that brings together artists from a range of art forms (including Richard Tognetti, Meryl Tankard, Kate Champion, Gideon Orbarzanek, Susan Norrie, Lynette Wallworth, Michael Kantor, Chris Drummond, Rose Myer, Garry Stewart) and leading filmmakers to cross-pollinate their ideas and creative processes. Working with ABC TV and the Australia Council The Hive Investment Fund will result in three ground breaking projects by leading arts practitioners moving into the world of film and television. 

Prior to the AFF previous positions held by Sedgwick have included the Artistic Director of the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Special Events Producer of the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Artistic Director of Come Out Festival and Co-director of the Sydney Fringe Festival. Katrina has produced short films and theatrical events as well as working in live theatre, film and television as an actor. 

According to Dalton “Katrina will bring a distinctive vision to ABC TV Arts, an ability to connect with diverse audiences and extensive networks across the arts in Australia.”

Three of Australia’s finest actors, Don Hany, Anthony Hayes and Ewen Leslie will star in Devil’s Dust, ABC TV’s two-part mini-series detailing the remarkable story of the James Hardie asbestos tragedy.

Produced by FremantleMedia Australia (FMA), Devil’s Dust, which is based on the book “Killer Company” written by ABC journalist Matt Peacock, will begin production March 19 in Sydney.

Don Hany (Offspring, East West 101, Dirt Game) is Adam Bourke, a character forced to question his morality, as he becomes aware one of Australia’s most successful and respected companies has made a product that may cause the death of thousands of people.

Anthony Hayes (The Slap, Changi, Look Both Ways) is Bernie Banton, the courageous and quick-witted James Hardie worker who battled for compensation for all asbestos victims. As he witnessed his workmates and brother die of asbestos disease, he continued the battle, even though he ultimately faced his own asbestos fate.

Ewen Leslie (Mabo, Sleeping Beauty, Three Blind Mice) is Matt Peacock, the ABC journalist who reveals evidence of the link between asbestos and cancer, and then devotes his career to exposing the shocking truth and bringing justice to victims.

Devil’s Dust is the intensely personal story of three very different men whose lives and careers are bound together by a tragedy that becomes a scandal, and then a fast-moving battle through the corridors of corporate, political and media power. At the heart of the story are the 60,000 Australians likely to die of asbestos disease by 2030.

ABC TV Head of Fiction, Carole Sklan says, “This is a powerful, inspiring drama which has attracted an outstanding cast and creative team. ABC TV is proud to present the human story at the heart of this on-going national tragedy.”

FremantleMedia Australia and Asia Pacific CEO, Ian Hogg, says “Devil’s Dust is a powerful story of greed, subterfuge and perseverance. It’s a story that will resonate ever so strongly with all Australians. Our Creative Director, Jason Stephens / Bravado has been instrumental in bringing the project to the small screen.”

The ABC’s Head of Current Affairs, Denise Eriksen, has today tendered her resignation for personal reasons.  

“The recent successful launch of two new business programs and the appointment of a new Executive Producer for 7.30 means my immediate work is complete and it’s an appropriate time for me to leave,” said Ms Eriksen. “I’ve relished working with the amazing team in ABC Current Affairs – on television and radio. They are second to none in bringing the stories Australia needs to hear to our audiences – professionally and with dedication and determination. Long may that continue and I wish them all good things in the future.  

“But for now, events in my personal life mean that the time is not right for me to continue in this job.  I’ve had eight fantastic years in senior executive positions both here at the ABC and at SBS, but it’s time now to explore other options for my professional life – including those which allow me to work again at the coal face of content creation.”   

Denise returned to the ABC in 2010, initially helping relaunch 7.30 and then leading the current affairs stable of programs across radio, television and online.

She helped guide the changes to ABC News business coverage, including reformatting Inside Business with Alan Kohler, and working with the business team and ABC News 24 to develop The Business with Ticky Fullerton.  

“I want to thank her for her contribution to ABC News and for the drive, energy and commitment she has shown over the past 18 months,” said Director of ABC News, Kate Torney. “Denise brought wide-ranging experience to the role and injected a great deal of energy into the job of leading our talented current affairs teams. I wish her all the very best for the future.”  

Denise will leave the ABC on March 30, 2012. 

Compass, ABC1’s popular Sunday night Religion and Ethics documentary program, presented by Geraldine Doogue has moved to the earlier time of 6.30pm on Sunday, just ahead of the 7pm news.
 
“For years so many of our viewers have told us how much they love Compass, alas the catch-cry has always been, “But you’re on too late!” says presenter Geraldine Doogue. “Now we’ve answered that call. Compass will kick off ABC1’s Sunday night line-up and we couldn’t be more thrilled.”
 
“Compass is a Sunday night television institution, only now we’ll be on earlier!”
 
The first show back, THE SMILE WITHIN, follows well known comedian and humour therapist Jean-Paul Bell as he visits aged care facilities in a landmark study (the SMILE Study) using humour to improve the management of dementia in aged care facilities.

ABC Commercial has launched an exciting new Android app aimed at enhancing children’s storytelling time.

Story Cloud, a collaboration between ABC Commercial’s Digital Product Development team and creative collective I Think I Saw A Unicorn lets children, parents, friends and family record themselves reading popular children’s picture books.

The app comes with a free book ABC Play School Nursery Rhyme Favourites and allows parents and children to narrate and record themselves reading the book for play back later.

There are already a number of books that can be purchased in the Story Cloud library and there is no limit to how many family narrators can be attached to each book.  

New picture books will be released each month. Director of ABC Commercial, Lynley Marshall, said the app marked the start of a new phase of digital products developed for pre-school children.

“Story Cloud encompasses many of the things that have made ABC For Kids so popular with parents for more than two decades.  It is a beautifully designed and easy-to-use application that I’m sure will bring joy to many families”. 

Ms Marshall said Story Cloud would be followed by more pre-school educational products that had been designed especially for tablet use.

Story Cloud is initially available only on Samsung devices.  

The application will be more widely released for use on other android tablets and smart phones later in the year.  

Samsung tablets will also be available from ABC Shop Online and selected ABC Shops.

Next on Adam Hills In Gordon St Tonight, Adam will be joined by comedian ROSS NOBLE, authors ALAIN DE BOTTON and THOMAS KENEALLY and Sydney rock group BOY AND BEAR.  

Geordie stand-up comedian ROSS NOBLE performed his first gig at the age of 15 and hasn’t looked back. He’s known as a truly exciting and genuinely original performer, receiving huge critical acclaim and a loyal cult audience.

His television appearances include Thank God You’re Here, The Panel, Spicks and Specks and UK series QI and Friday Night with Jonathan Ross.

Author ALAIN DE BOTTON has been described as a philosopher of everyday life. He’s written about love, travel, architecture and literature, and his books have beenbestsellers in 30 countries.

Alain also started and helps to run a school in Londoncalled The School of Life, dedicated to a new vision of education. Alain’s latest bookis titled Religion for Atheists.

THOMAS KENEALLY is an Australian novelist, playwright and author of non-fiction. He is best known for writing Schindler’s Ark, the Booker Prize-winning novel of 1982 which was inspired by the efforts of Poldek Pfefferberg Holocaust survivor.

The book would later be adapted to Steven Spielberg’s film Schindler’s List, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Sydney rockers, BOY & BEAR are a self described “combination of drivey, indie folk and choral harmonies.”

Their debut album Moonfire won an outstanding five Aria Awards, a prestigious shortlist nomination for The AMP (Australian music Prize) and entered triple J’s hottest 100 three times, with single ‘Feeding Line’ reaching the top five.

ADAM HILLS IN GORDON ST screens Wednesday February 22 at 8.30PM on ABC1. Repeated Friday at 11.15pm on ABC1 and Saturday at 7.30pm on ABC2. Also available on iview.

Flying in from her Purple Button Tree, Hootabelle has joined ABC4Kids popular program Giggle and Hoot for owl play dates.

She made her very special surprise debut last night during Giggle and Hoot’s Good Night hour. Voiced and operated by popular Australian actress, Abi Tucker, Hootabelle loves adventures, is full of gusto and has one of the best singing voices throughout the land of Giggle and Hoot. 

This is a new and exciting role for Abi Tucker, one that involves being stuck in green suit when shooting in front of a green screen; hiding behind furniture all day; and acting, singing and pupperteering – it’s like the equivalent of patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time.

Abi also has to learn new songs each week – Hootabelle even has her very own music video’s called Hey Hootabelle and Twinklify. 

Abi is also currently a presenter on Play School and is best known for her roles in some of Australia’s favourite television series’ – McLeod’s Daughters, The Secret Life of Us, and Heartbreak High.

The highly anticipated second series of the award-winning drama Rake, starring Richard Roxburgh (Hawke, Moulin Rouge, Blue Murder, The Silence, The Hounds of the Baskervilles) as criminal defence barrister Cleaver Greene, will begin shooting in April in Sydney. 

Reprising their roles from series one are Matt Day (Tangle, My Year Without Sex, My Brother Jack, Shackleton) as David Potter, Russel Dykstra (Wild Boys, Romulus, My Father, Clubland), as Barney, Danielle Cormack (Underbelly: Razor, East West 101, Separation City) as his wife Scarlet (Red), Caroline Brazier (Wild Boys, Packed to the Rafters, 30 Seconds) as Wendy, and Adrienne Pickering (The Reef, Rogue Nation, Sea Patrol) as Missy.

Guest actors for this series are yet to be announced. Ian Collie of Essential Media – (Rake Series1, On Trial, Hell Has Harbour Views, Rogue Nation) is producer, along with Richard Roxburgh and Peter Duncan.

Once again co–writer on the series along with creator Peter Duncan is Andrew Knight (SeaChange, After the Deluge, Tripping Over). Directors include Peter Duncan (Rake Series 1, Unfinished Sky, Hell Has Harbour Views, Children of the Revolution) – who also is co-writer/co-creator/co-producer, Jeffrey Walker (the yet to be screened Jack Irish, Angry Boys, Dance Academy, City Homicide), Rowan Woods (The Straights, Spirited, The Boys, Little Fish), with the fourth director soon to be announced. 

ABC TV Head of Drama, Carole Sklan exclaims “We are thrilled to welcome back the Rake team, so Cleaver Greene can once more cut his chaotic swathe into the murky depths of justice, politics, correct society and incorrect relationships.”
 
Producer/director Peter Duncan says “It’s great to be back in production on Rake. Once again we have an opportunity to channel our various depravities into Cleaver – rather than exercise them ourselves.

This is a considerable relief for our friends and loved ones.” Having learned nothing from disaster. Cleaver is once again up to his old tricks.

He’s in the midst of a wild affair with a woman whose position makes her a very dangerous liaison, and his penchant for defending the indefensible is still in full swing.

This time around it includes suicide bombers, psychotic schoolgirls, murderers, a pedantic chameleon, an international pariah, and a serial ‘bobbitter’ – allegedly.