From left to right, back row: Maya Linden, Mark Townend, Yvette Novosel, Drew Fryer, Leila Masson, Jeffrey Masson, Hugo Weaving, Fiona Corke, Jakeob Brown, Amber Hall, Katrina Sharman, Kelly Blainey Lyell, middle row: Cybele Stockley, Susie Rowe, Anna Hartley, Maryland Wilson, Brooke Littman, Airlie Ward, Brian Sherman AM, David Weisbrot AM, Bryce Courtenay AM, Ondine Sherman, Fiona Cunningham, Louise Boronyak, Jennifer Byrne, Christine Gee, front row: Eve Hannifer, Elaine Morris, Paul Sheehan and Elizabeth Usher.

Monday 7 December was the night glamour came to animal protection, as media, celebrities, politicians, lawyers and animal advocates gathered to celebrate the achievements of the animal protection movement in Australia.

Bree van Reyk and Holly Throsby who performed at the event, flank Voiceless's Ambassador Hugo Weaving

In an elegant cocktail awards ceremony at The Mint in Sydney, Voiceless announced the 2009 Grant recipients, launched its latest report, the Animal Law Toolkit, and awarded the inaugural Voiceless Media Prize. 

Capacity was full at this red-carpet event, which was no surprise given our featured guest line-up:

• ABC’s Jennifer Byrne as MC 

• Voiceless Ambassador Hugo Weaving, who awarded trophies to this year’s grant recipients

• The Honourable Justice Ruth McColl AO, Judge of Appeal of the Supreme Court of NSW, who launched the Animal Law Toolkit

• ARIA-nominated artist Holly Throsby, who performed two beautiful songs

• Author Jeffrey Masson, who read from his latest book, The Face on Your Plate

• Novelist Bryce Courtenay and Christine Gee, together with Emeritus Professor David Weisbrot AM, who presented the inaugural $5,000 Voiceless Media Prize

Voiceless friends and supporters from left to right: Polly Cevallos, Naomi Simson, Genevieve Teo and Nikki Teo

Guests enjoyed fabulous cocktails and vegan canapés as they celebrated the tireless work and dedication of animal advocates around Australia.

Voiceless Council member Melinda Clyne with her husband, Cameron

The Voiceless Grants Program would not have been possible without the generous support of the Sherman family. In addition, a number of other supporters made this wonderful event possible: Hunter Hall International Limited; Dr Charlie Teo and Genevieve Teo; Lush Handmade Cosmetics; Oliveria; Bio-Distributors Tasmania; Liane Rossler; Sanitarium Vegie Delights; Nudie Foods; and Art & Australia.

Long time supporter and friend of Voiceless, Peter Hall with young James

The 2009 Voiceless Judging Panel consisted of:

Ondine Sherman - Co-founder and Director, Voiceless

Brian Sherman AM - Co-founder and Director, Voiceless

Katrina Sharman - Voiceless Corporate Counsel

Elaine Morris - Voiceless General Manager

Dr Daniel Ramp - ARC Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Road Ecology Research Group, University of New South Wales

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