The Actors' & Entertainers' Benevolent Fund of Queensland (Inc) is a registered charity assisting actors, performers, and entertainers in times of dire circumstance. It is commonly known as the Actors' Benevolent Fund, ABF QLD, and The Fund. The Fund is run by an elected committee of industry professionals, with Michael Balk JP as the current president.

History The Fund was started by Alan Edwards AM MBE in 1975. Charities of this kind have been operating across the world for over a century, including the Actors' Benevolent Fund of NSW and the Victorian Actors' Benevolent Fund.

The Actors' Benevolent Fund of NSW, of which Don Crosby was the serving president, provided a donation of $500 to seed the charity.

Alan Edwards AM MBE, a prominent figure in local performing arts who was the first artistic director of the established Queensland Theatre Company in 1970, was the inaugural president of the charity. Edwards served in that role until 1994.

Lifetime Achievement Award The Fund presents an industry award to recognise excellence and lifetime achievement in the arts in Queensland. It is named in honour of the founding president Alan Edwards. The first award was recognised in 2002.

Recipients of the Alan Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award +Award Recipients YearNameOccupation2002 Leo WocknerActor/Union Activist2003Carol BurnsActor/Director2004Errol O'NeillActor/Playwright2005Kaye StevensonActor2006Rod HortonArts Administrator2007Penny EveringhamActor/Puppeteer2008Dr Tony Gould AMArts Administrator2009Joan Whalley OAMArts Administrator2010June Craw OAMArts Administrator2011NO AWARD NO AWARD2012Brian Tucker CPAArts Supporter/Advocate2013Dianne Eden OAMTeacher/Mentor2014 Jim ViléArtistic Director/Teacher2015Michael Forde Margery FordeActor/Playwright/Director Actor/Playwright/Director2016Sue RiderArtistic Director/Dramaturg2017Robby NasonArts Administrator/Costume Designer2018David WaltersLighting Designer/Mentor2019Sue BennerArts Administrator/Director/Writer2020Kate FoyActor/Director/Educator2021Roxanne McDonaldActor2022Paul Dellit OAMActor/Mentor/Producer

References

External links Actors' & Entertainers' Benevolent Fund of Queensland