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Mary Lopez Award
The Mary Lopez Award recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to Schools Spectacular, including SpecFest and the arts.
Created by the Department of Education in 2014, the award celebrates dedication, creativity, and impact in arts education.
Nominations for the award have now closed.
On this page
- About Mary Lopez
- 2026 winner – Elaine Cater
- 2025 winner – Michael Coleman
- 2024 winner – Jillian Bradford
- 2023 winner – Kaz Levi
- 2022 winner – Kay Taylor
- 2019 winner – Lynette Halpin
- 2018 winner – Ross Milne
- 2017 winner – John Deacon
- 2016 winner – Wendy Tierney
- 2015 winners – Colleen and Phillip Hayward
- 2014 winner – Judith Joy
About Mary Lopez
Mary Lopez AM is one of Australia's most influential figures in the music and entertainment industry, with a career spanning more than 50 years. She is widely recognised for her work in nurturing, developing and showcasing talented Australians of all ages and for creating large-scale productions that celebrate the spirit of Australia. Her visionary work includes co-founding the iconic Schools Spectacular in 1984, which she directed for 25 years, bringing together thousands of student performers alongside leading Australian artists.
Throughout her career, Mary has been deeply committed to providing equitable opportunities for young performers, regardless of background. She co-founded the Talent Development Project, helping launch the careers of many successful artists and has led numerous major productions and initiatives that have shaped Australia's performing arts landscape. Her contribution has been recognised with multiple national honours and awards, reflecting her lasting impact on music, education and the arts.
2026 winner – Elaine Cater
Elaine’s connection with the Spectacular grew after first seeing the show in 1985. At Dundas Public School in 1987 and 1988 she coordinated her school’s dance group to perform in their local festival.
It was modelled on the Schools Spec, and Mary Lopez and Lyndal Bowman came to the 1st meeting they had to help motivate and point them in the right direction.
In 1998, at Samuel Gilbert PS, Elaine’s first performer in the Spec was in the form of rhythmic gymnast Kate Riley, who opened the show that year.
In 1999, she finally achieved a school dance group being selected, after convincing her principal that the students would probably be in wonderful ballerina costumes and pretty tu-tus; they were in fact SAO biscuits, created in foam and worn as headpieces, in the now very famous Dance of The Icons segment.
Elaine continued to bring school groups to perform. In the following years, the combined dance items included Dr Seuss' Birds and Band, Munchkins and Space Odyssey.
In 2007, she joined the Spectacular’s Production Team. Elaine worked as part of the front desk team for 5 years before settling in to lead the Catering team, supplying all the staff in the tunnels and across the wider production team with food and water.
Her trolley became infamous backstage and a well-loved part of making the show come to life by keeping the team fed and hydrated. Over the years, Elaine continued to encourage various teachers to share her passion and excitement for the Schools Spec.
In 2023, Elaine ended her time on the production team, passing the catering reins onto another. Not to be left out of the show, she promptly became one of the show’s volunteers and has volunteered ever since.
In Elaine’s words:
I am thankful to be able to continue my involvement as a volunteer to help students in Public Education enjoy such a wonderful and memorable experience.
Her commitment to the show has been outstanding and highlights the fact that the Spectacular is made up of a vast team all pulling together to provide an educational experience for NSW public Education students that is second to none.
2025 winner – Michael Coleman
In recognition of outstanding significance to the Schools Spectacular.
Michael's first year at the Schools Spectacular was in 2000 working in one of the tunnels, fondly referred to as one of the tunnel rats. In his second year he became John Foreman's assistant. From the third year and every year since, he has been the creative directors' assistant. He has been instrumental in promoting the creative and performing arts in every school that he has worked in, none more than his current school Dareton Public School, in far western NSW.
In Michael's words:
It is always an absolute honour for me to be asked each year to be a very small cog in the incredible machine that is School Spec. Getting to work with and learn from such incredibly talented and dedicated public education teachers and entertainment professionals each year, to pull together such an amazing showcase of the talents of the students of the NSW Department of Education public school system inspires me greatly and has helped me to grow as an educator, a teacher and as a school leader. I love the small part I play and value deeply the lifelong friendships I have made through being a part of the Spec family for so long.
2024 winner – Jillian Bradford
In recognition of contributions of outstanding significance to the Schools Spectacular
Mrs Jillian Bradford has been an integral part of the Schools Spectacular over the past 25+ years! Mrs Bradford is the extraordinarily gifted senior choir conductor at Cromer Public School and K–6 Music RFF teacher. She takes pride in her daily lessons of movement, rhythm, singing, tuned/untuned percussion and has given our students amazing opportunities with the Schools Spectacular each year.
Jillian thrives in the performance aspect of choral music and has so many events and accolades under her belt. She mentors her K-6 musicians, and enjoys following their musical careers through high school and beyond ... many of whom have become featured artists on the spectacular stage!
As she comes to the end of her brilliant 35+ year teaching career as a permanent public education teacher, it is an honour to be able to pay tribute to Jillian and the wonderful achievements of her service to the NSW Schools Spectacular.
2023 winner – Kaz Levi
In 2023 the Mary Lopez Medal was awarded to Karen Levi from Kingscliff High School, in recognition of contributions of outstanding significance to the Schools Spectacular and the Arts.
Karen (Kaz) coordinates and runs the Far North Coast Dance Festival which develops skills and allows opportunities for all students in primary schools and high schools within the region. She encourages boys and girls to embrace and celebrate Dance in our network and builds positive and strong relationships with the teachers in those schools that is carried over into School Spectacular. They work together to arrange accommodation and logistics in taking students from our school and representatives from most other schools in the region to Sydney to perform at the Spectacular. She facilitates the use of our school grounds as a common performance practice space so that performers can collaborate and build each other up.
Kaz is a passionate and dedicated Dance teacher and works so hard to promote, encourage and support all dance students. She is seriously a Spectacular legend and yet, her humility and grace is what makes her such a valued and special teacher to all she teaches and has the opportunity to work with her.
Kaz represents the true spirit of the Spectacular and certainly embodies the us in Fabulous!
2022 winner – Kay Taylor
In recognition of contributions of outstanding significance to the Schools Spectacular.
Kay Taylor has had extensive involvement in Schools Spectacular over the past 22 years. Kay has provided her contributions across various aspects of Schools Spectacular since 2000 providing opportunities for students in various schools to participate in the Schools Spectacular choir, including Bass High School Choir, Sing NSW Bankstown/Port Jackson Choir, Sydney South West Choir and most recently Padstow Park Public School Choir.
Kay was intensively involved in the Spec Connect Project in 2015, partnering with Berinba Public School, as one of 20 schools selected to develop others and provide support and professional learning for non-metropolitan based schools, students and staff. Kay has also contributed her energy and expertise towards roles in the Stage Management and Front of House production teams over several years. Kay is simply true 'Schools Spectacular' style.
2019 winner – Lynette Halpin
In recognition of contributions of outstanding significance to the Schools Spectacular.
Lynne has been involved with the Schools Spectacular for 23 years. She started by bringing her school choir for many years and in 2003 became the inaugural choir manager. Lynne then held this position for 15 years. Lynne was instrumental in growing the choir to the current number of nearly 3000 when the show moved to Qudos Bank Arena. Lynne developed strategies for plotting the seating for the choir in the new venue and continued to refine these in her time as manager; she was often seen in the The Arts Unit office looking over maps with pen and eraser.
Lynne has been an incredibly valued member of the Spec team, she is approachable, understanding, organised and efficient. Lynne led her team of choir stage managers and teachers with strength and diligence. Feedback from the 2018 evaluation supports this:
The choir production team were fantastic and friendly and positive and we all loved being there with them.
Lynne has now taken on a mentor role for the incoming choir manager and continues to be hardworking, dedicated and passionate. Lynne's genuine love for the performing arts and public education is evident in everything she does and is enduring.
2018 winner – Ross Milne
In 2018 the Mary Lopez Medal will be awarded to Ross Milne In recognition of contributions of outstanding significance to the Schools Spectacular.
2017 winner – John Deacon
In 2017 the Mary Lopez Medal will be awarded to John Deacon in recognition of contributions of outstanding significance to the Schools Spectacular.
2016 winner – Wendy Tierney
In 2016 the Mary Lopez Medal was awarded to Wendy Tierney in recognition of contributions of outstanding significance to the Schools Spectacular.
2015 winners – Colleen and Phillip Hayward
In 2015 the Mary Lopez Medal will be awarded to Colleen and Philip Hayward in recognition of contributions of outstanding significance to the Schools Spectacular over the past 30 years.
2014 winner – Judith Joy
In 2014 the inaugural Mary Lopez Medal will be awarded to a teacher, Ms Judith Joy for outstanding contribution to dance and the creative elements of the Schools Spectacular over the past 30 years.
