Blake Bowden wins 2011 Rob Guest Endowment

Last night, at a special gala concert at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne, six young artists performed for their chance to win the 3rd annual Rob Guest Endowment.

This year, the Endowment was snagged by Blake Bowden who sang ‘Proud Lady’ and ‘If I Can’t Love Her’ at the event. Bowden takes home a $10,000 talent development grant, a media training session, a new headshot package and a guest performance at a nominated industry event in 2012.

The five judges for last night’s Endowment Concert were Kellie Dickerson, Karen Johnson Mortimer, Garry Young (stepping in for Roger Hodgman, who was ill), Stuart Maunder and Peter Casey – all working professionals in the Australian Arts Industry.

The five other finalists were Kirby Lunn (performing ‘Gorgeous’ and ‘Spark of Creation’), Jamie Ward (‘Mirror Blue Night’ and ‘Use What You’ve Got’), Gretel Scarlett (‘Not Getting Married Today’ and ‘On My Own’), Ashlea Pyke (‘Quiet and ‘Don’t Rain on my Parade’) and Luigi Lucente (‘The Way You Look Tonight’ and ‘The Streets of Dublin’).

Other performers on the night included Lucy Durack, Lucy Maunder, Rhonda Burchmore, Melissa Langton, Alex Rathgeber, Rob Mills, David Harris, Belinda Wollaston and the casts of Love Never Dies and Rock of Ages. The evening was hosted by the wonderful Bert Newton, and in a live auction more than $6000 was raised for the ANZ Trustees Foundation Rob Guest Endowment Fund.

AussieTheatre.com is a proud sponsor of this year’s ANZ Trustees Rob Guest Endowment, and the team here would like to wish Blake and all the finalists the best in their careers. What a spectacular night at the theatre!