This year’s event was included in the 2009 Sydney Writers’ Festival with a panel discussion on the contentious issue Should the Critic be Fired?  The capacity audience (standing-room only!) was hugely entertained by the lively comments of the panel: past Pascall winner Elizabeth Farrelly, Tony Bilson, Peter Cousens and Kathy Cleland, with next year’s Artistic Director of the Festival, Chip Rolley, as moderator. 

 Adrian Read reported on the judges’ conclusions and presented Melbourne theatre critic Alison Croggon with a certificate and a cheque for $15,000 which she accepted with a gracious speech.

 In thanking Warren Fahey for capably keeping things moving as MC, Chairman of the Geraldine Pascall Foundation Roland Gridiger expressed the hope that the presentation might again be included in the Sydney Writers’ Festival next year.  Watch this space!