Dot West won the Outstanding Contribution to Industry Award and an award for Outstanding Achievement in Screen Writing (The Circuit) which she shared with fellow Scriptwriter, Mitch Torres. At the awards Dot gave special recognition and thanks to Script Producer Kelly Lefever, and the other scriptwriters on the series.
The Circuit also took out awards for Outstanding Achievement in Drama Production and Outstanding Achievement in Series Production awarded to Media World Pictures.
In addition to Scriptwriting for the successful series, screened on SBS, Dot worked as Co-Producer with Yvonne Collins and Producers Ross Hutchens and Colin South from Media World Pictures.
Director of Goolarri Media Enterprises, Mr Kevin Fong, says "I am thrilled that Dot has received recognition for her outstanding work in the media over the last two decades". "Dot is a leading light for the Indigenous media industry. Her background covers print media, radio and television in the Kimberley and nationally. Dot has been with Goolarri for the last sixteen years, and has been part of a team that has seen the organisation grow into a leading Indigenous multi-media organisation that makes high production-value content that speaks with integrity, and expresses its contemporary culture and life in its own voice," Mr Fong said.
Producer Ross Hutchens was also delighted by the recognition of The Circuit as an outstanding and successful drama series, adding that Dot's award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry means "she is now officially a legend!"
In accepting the Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Dot spoke of the importance of focusing on success stories in the Indigenous community, and in particular, creating opportunities for young Indigenous people. "As the celebration of our stories and songs is getting louder, it is important to remember that investment in, and funding for, capacity building and enabling organisations like Goolarri is essential to the strength and well-being of all our communities, and in particular, our young people".
Dot recently delivered her first draft of an episode for The Circuit Series II and hopes Media World Pictures attracts the necessary funds to produce the next series. In the meantime Dot continues to work on various projects with Goolarri, but the main focus is ensuring the organisations Centre for Excellence is adequately supported and a place for young people to excel is realised.
