The South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME) is proud to announce the student winners of its unique initiative Dirt TV, following a high profile Awards Ceremony at the National Wine Centre in Adelaide last night.
Sweeping the prize pool was Mining: So good its nearly a crime, by James Haskard and Lachlan Blake, taking out both the BHP Billiton Best Overall Video Award and also the SACOME People’s Choice Award – receiving 30% of total public votes.
Jason Kuchel, Chief Executive of SACOME said “Mining: So good its nearly a crime is a fantastic example of what can be created without high tech equipment, the need for special settings or effects but simply using a clever idea, excellent script and fantastic execution.”
“James and Lachlan rightly took away $6,000 for their efforts, plus another $500 for their school, Concordia College.”
The Linc Energy Best Music Award went to Mining: The word on the street, led by Emily Keough; the Santos Best Directing Award went to Uses of Mining by Micole Parenti; and the OZ Minerals Best Writing Award to Mining makes your house by Alicia Monique Del Corso.
Unveiled in December 2013, Dirt TV is a video competition requiring students in years 7 to 12 to produce a short video clip illustrating What mining means to me, or What oil & gas means to me. A pool of approximately $10,000 was awarded in its first year, at the Iron Road 2014 Dirt TV Award Ceremony last night.
Opened by Treasurer and Minister for Mineral and Energy Resources, the Hon Tom Koutsantonis MP, the Iron Road sponsored ceremony was a fitting finale to the 2014 competition. Featuring a guest list of arts, media and resources industry heavyweights together with 40 student entrants and their parents, the event showcased all entries to the competition – 14 videos in total.
Mr Koutsantonis said the competition provided a fantastic opportunity for students to put their creative skills before the state’s top arts and mining leaders.
“I congratulate all the students who entered for creating compelling video clips that reflect what the mining and oil and gas industries mean to them,” Mr Koutsantonis said.
“It was obvious that all clips produced involved a lot of hard work and students did a great job of highlighting the resources sector, its benefits and the use of its products in everyday life.
“I also congratulate SACOME on this competition, which complements its Careers Promotions Program through school visits and activities.
“All this work is aimed at developing career opportunities and growing capabilities to support the sustainable growth of South Australia’s minerals and energy industries,” he said.
The inaugural competition was judged by an elite group of representatives from renowned South Australian media organisations including the Adelaide Film Festival; Flinders University; Rising Sun Pictures; South Australia Film Corporation; State Opera of South Australia; and Whitham Media, together with resource sector heavy weights Santos, BHP Billiton and OZ Minerals to assess for accuracy.
Judges looked for originality, creativity and effectiveness in delivering a message.
Spokesperson for the judging panel, Steve Whitham, said “The students involved in producing the videos demonstrated a wonderful grasp and depth of knowledge of the subject matter, but more importantly they knew intuitively how to engage the audience and communicate the key messages.
We were seriously blown away by the quality and diversity of the productions.”
Judges elected to make two special commendations, recognising Mining is super cool, by Carla Evangelista for overall vision and appeal; and Mining by Nadia Williams, for animation.
Mr Kuchel said “Every one of the student participants should be praised for their inspirational creations and the effort that clearly went into the research as well as the production of these videos.”
The purpose of Dirt TV is to raise awareness of the resources industry in South Australia, one of the State’s key sectors; to promote science to students, particularly to those more oriented towards the arts; and to promote media arts and provide a rewarding and public forum for student’s efforts.
“As the competition becomes better known amongst our schools and teenagers we expect both the
entries and public voting to grow exponentially,” Mr Kuchel said. “At last count, the videos had total
combined views in excess of 3,500 which is fantastic.”
Entries for the 2014 Dirt TV competition focused on a range of topics including the use of mined materials,
the key economic role the industry plays in South Australia, employment opportunities and the industry’s
effect on livelihoods and lifestyles.
2014 Dirt TV Winners:
BHP Billiton Best Overall Entry: Mining: So good it’s nearly a crime James Haskard & Lachlan Blake
SACOME People’s Choice Award: Mining: So good it’s nearly a crime, James Haskard & Lachlan Blake
Linc Energy Best Music Award: Mining the word on the street by Emily Murdock, Emily Keough, Mikaela Georgiadis, Rachael Disney, Tina Vo and Zoe Zito
OZ Minerals Best Writing Award: Mining makes your house by Alicia Monique Del Corso Santos Best Director Award: Uses of mining by Micole Parent
Special commendations:
Mining is super cool, for overall vision and appeal, by Carla Evangelista and Mining by Nadia Williams, for animation.
The Dirt TV 2014 judging panel:
Ms Amanda Duthie – Director/CEO – Adelaide Film Festival
Mr Paul Flanagan – Head of External Affairs – BHP Billiton
Dr Alison Wotherspoon – Head of Screen & Media – Flinders University
Mr Wayne Lewis – Managing Director – Rising Sun Pictures
Ms Beth Worrall – Manager Community and Corporate Responsibility – Santos
Mr Richard Harris – CEO – South Australia Film Corporation
Mr David Barnard – Head of Music – State Opera of South Australia
Mr Steve Whitham – Managing Director – Whitham Media
Ms Rachel Eaves – Head of Public Affairs and Sustainability – OZ Minerals
Media Contact:
Jason Kuchel, Chief Executive
T: 08 8202 9999 M: 0448 848 848
jkuchel@sacome.org.au