Last but not least in the PICA roundup is Queensland, which laid on a glittering night for nearly 500 guests who attended the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre.

"It was another sensational night for Queensland printing," said Neal McLary, General Manager for Queensland Printing Industries. "Entries were well spread across all the categories - and there were a few surprises as well as the more regular winners."

These included two of Brisbane's quality printers – Platypus Graphics and Printpoint – who vied for top honours in a number of categories including sharing gold in three awards. Overall, Platypus Graphics emerged with the most winning entries including nine gold medals, but it was Printpoint (printing waterless) who picked up the prestigious Judges' Choice award for the most highly prized entry in the opinion of the judges.

Heaneys Performers in Print and Queensland Complete Printing Services were other big winners on the night with three golds apiece. The latter, based on the Sunshine Coast, also won a business excellence award and the environment award.

Neal McLary said that one of the goals of the awards was to make it as inclusive as possible so that rural and regional printers who may not attract the type of print budgets of firms based in south-east Queensland also have a chance to compete for medals.

"We had a very good response from country members which is encouraging. The inclusive nature of the night is important for us," he said.

Queensland PICA 2008 Results (pdf - 69.6 kb)