AustLit

'In the early 1920s leading cartoonists participated in the Artists' Ball', later known as the Black and White Artists' Ball. From these balls grew the Sydney Black and White Artists' Club which changed its name to the Australian Black and White Artists' Club to incorporate a national membership.

'In 1984, the membership had grown to nearly 400 and it was decided by the national committee that it was time they had awards to be presented to winners in various categories and that an annual function should be held for the presentations.' Initial sponsorship was provided by the Bulletin and the the awards were known as the Bulletin Black and White Artists' Awards. 'The club commissioned Eberharde Franke to sculpt a model of the well known cartoon "For gor'sake stop laughing, this is serious!" by Stan Cross, one of the greatest members of the black and white craft and a foundation member of the club. Bronze, silver and gold statuettes were cast from the model to present to the winners at the inaugural Awards Night in November 1985.' The awards became known as the Stanleys.

Bronze statuettes are presented in the following categories: Comic Strip (originally the Adventure/Illustrated Strip Artist), Editorial/Political, Single Gag, Caricaturist, Illustrator and Media Graphic Artist. The Jim Russell Award is awarded to a cartoonist for services to the cartooning industry. The Gold Stanley, the major award, is awarded for Cartoonist of the Year.

Source: The Australian Cartoonists' Association website, http://www.cartoonists.org.au/
Sighted: 08/12/2009