The Gold Coast PALMIES, a group to which Ballina Players belongs, is an organisation of Theatre Companies that are ‘judged’ on their productions over the whole year with many categories from Best Technical Achievement to Best production to Best Program. The process involves the judges visiting each and every production, performed by participating companies, each year and culminates in the winners being announced at a special event in early December.
All those who are nominated by the judges are published. A short-list of 4-5 finalists is compiled and published, from which the winner will be announced at the event.
Ballina Players has some success in the Palmies (in 2024 we won Best Program – Leah Van Ewijk for THE ADDAMS FAMILY, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical – Mechelle Anderson for 9 TO 5).
For all the nominations in all categories click here
In 2026, our shows that have been nominated are as follows:
FINDING NEMO JR
Best Set – Peter Harding
Best Costumes – Pippin Goodsell-Harding
Best Program – Pippin Goodsell-Harding
Best Choreographer in Youth Production – Pippin Goodsell-Harding
BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT
Best Set – Peter Harding
Best Costumes – Jacquie McCalman
Best Lighting – Peter Harding
Best Program – Pippin Goodsell-Harding
Best Actor in Supporting Role – Jordan Stotter
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Play) – Peter Harding
Best Actress in a Leading Role (Play) – Kas Curtis
Best Director (Play) – Mike Sheehan
Outstanding Play
CHICAGO
Best Set – Paul Belsham
Best Costumes – Kim Green
Best Lighting – Archie Mason-Reynolds
Best Sound – Jonathan Pinnock
Best Ensemble – Female Dance Ensemble
Best Director (Musical) – Iesha Williams
Best Program – Leah Van Ewijk
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Musical) – Mike Hansen
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Musical) – Teri Adamson
Best Actress in a Leading Role (Musical) – Hope Long
Outstanding Musical
SPAMALOT
Best Set – Peter Harding
Best Lighting – Peter Harding
Best Technical Achievement – Karen Harding (Black Knight Costume)
Best Director (Musical) – Pippin Goodsell-Harding
Best Actor in Supporting Role (Musical) – Peter Harding & Ashley Sargent
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Musical) – Harrison Hoey
GEORGY GIRL: THE SEEKERS MUSICAL
Best Set – Paul Belsham
Best Lighting – Peter Harding
Best Sound – Jonathan Pinnock
Best Program – Leah Van Ewijk
Magic Moment – “I Am Australian”
Best Musical Director – Leanne Broadley & Paul Belsham
Best Director (Musical) – Leanne Broadley & Paul Belsham
Best Actor in Supporting Role (Musical) – Carl Moore
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Musical) – Helen Petrie
Best Actress in a Leading Role (Musical) – Leah Van Ewijk
