The 'Queen of Canberra' Coralie Wood, has been recognised for her contribution to the arts in Canberra and the wider region, by being awarded an Order of Australia in the latest Queen's Birthday Honours.
Over the last 40 years, Coralie has worked as a publicist for Australia's leading entrepreneurs including Michael Edgley, Kevin Jacobsen and Michael Chugg . However her greatest passion has been fostering local amateur talent through her establishment of the Canberra and Area Theatre Awards.
Coralie founded the CAT Awards in 1994 and in that time has co-ordinated the judging of over 2,500 amateur and school productions in an area that covers shows in towns as far afield as Merimbula, Mittagong, Parkes and Wagga.
The CAT Awards culminate with a glitzy 'night of nights' when nominees gather at the Canberra Theatre giving many of those nominated the opportunity to showcase their talents.
Many of those who have won CAT Awards have gone on to have successful professional careers in Australia and overseas.
CAT's patron, Mary Porter, joined Coralie and many of her friends to celebrate her OAM at a function at Vivaldi, Canberra's premier theatre restaurant.
"It is impossible to overstate the contribution that Coralie has made to theatre in our town and our region," Mary commented when moving the toast at the function.
"Coralie's passion and enthusiasm is so infectious and her award is well deserved."
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