On World Puppetry Day 2026, we were proud to host the inaugural Puppetry Awards, bringing together Australia’s vibrant puppetry community for an evening dedicated to celebrating the artists, makers, performers, designers, and behind-the-scenes creatives who bring this extraordinary craft to life.

Held at our Melbourne workshop in Preston, the event welcomed puppeteers and companies from across the country, creating a rare opportunity for the industry to connect, share stories, and recognise excellence across every corner of Australian puppetry.

With live music by Sol Tribe Band, lighting and sound by After Dark Theatre, refreshments from Hawkers Beer, and an incredible panel of judges featuring Peter Wilson, Helen Myers, and Jacob Williams, the evening was filled with laughter, performances, and heartfelt recognition.

One of the highlights of the inaugural Puppetry Awards was the overwhelming response from the community. With more than 100 nominations received from across Australia, our judges had the challenging task of recognising excellence across categories including:

• Best Up & Coming Puppeteer or Maker
• Maker of the Year, Puppeteer of the Year
• Behind-the-Scenes Excellence
• Lifetime Achievement Award.

From rising stars to industry legends, the awards celebrated the people whose creativity, craftsmanship, and dedication continue to shape the future of Australian puppetry. The extraordinary calibre of nominations reinforced the importance of establishing an annual event dedicated to honouring the artists, makers, performers, and unsung heroes behind this unique art form.

More than an awards night, the Puppetry Awards became a celebration of community. The overwhelming support from artists, organisations, and attendees confirmed what many of us already knew: Australia’s puppetry industry deserves a night of its own.

What began as an idea quickly became something much bigger.

Following the success of the inaugural event, we’re excited to continue growing the Puppetry Awards into an annual tradition, creating a space where the Australian puppetry community can gather, celebrate, and inspire the next generation of makers and performers.

Because while puppets may take centre stage, it’s the people behind them who make the magic possible.

View the full photo album via our Facebook