Victorian of the Year Stephanie Alexander is among the winners at the 2010 Premier’s Design Awards – proving that good design can start anywhere, including around the kitchen table.

Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings presented the awards today on behalf of Premier John Brumby in an event at PIXEL – Australia’s first carbon neutral commercial building – as part of the State of Design Festival.

“The Brumby Labor Government is proud to support the Premier’s Design Award and the State of Design Festival because innovative ideas are important to Victoria’s economic and social future,” Mr Jennings said. “And this year’s winners are shining examples of the benefits that clever thinking and good design can bring to the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of Victorians. Importantly, innovative thinking can create job opportunities for Victorian families.

“I congratulate the winners for their outstanding entries, whether they contribute to economic and environmental efficiencies in the mining sector or improve the lives of our children.”

The Premier’s Design Awards is a biennial event which recognises and rewards excellence in the application of design. Recipients of a Premier’s Design Award are leaders in the effective and strategic use of design.

Mr Jennings announced that the 2010 Premier’s Recognition Award recipient was Whizkids, produced by the National eTherapy Centre and Swinburne University of Technology, Faculty of Design, which designed interactive computer games to help autistic children learn life skills.

The Premier’s Design Awards is part of the Victorian Government’s $15 million Design Victoria Strategy which recognises and promotes good design.

2010 Premier’s Design Award winners are:
•Python Underground Processing Plant - Gekko Systems SA Pty Ltd and Gekko Systems Pty Ltd (Ballarat);
•The Golden Age of Couture Exhibition - Bendigo Art Gallery and Studio Round;
•Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program - Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation;
•Eastlink (Urban Design) - ConnectEast, Wood Marsh Architecture and John Holland; and
•Whizkids, the National eTherapy Centre and Swinburne University of Technology, Faculty of Design.

2010 Premier’s Recognition Award recipient:
•Whizkids, the National eTherapy Centre and Swinburne University of Technology, Faculty of Design.

2010 Premier’s Design Award – Highly commended:
•Lyon Housemuseum – Lyon Housemuseum and Lyons.