2024 Paul Hay Award Presented to Samra Teague!
The 2024 Paul Hay Award was presented to Samra Teague on Sunday 24th of November at ARBA Members Only Free Xmas Party at The Semaphore Workers Club. The award was announced by ARBA President Peter Ferguson and presented by 2021 Paul Hay Award winner Mick Young.
Samra's nomination addressed each of the 7 categories upon which the award is judged and illustrates how deserving Samra is of this award:
1. Positive energy
Samra is one of the most positive people. Always keen to volunteer her time cheerfully. Nothing is too much trouble. Her enthusiasm for local roots and blues events and music in general rubs off on the many people she interacts with.
2. Encouragement
Samra always offers encouragement especially to new and younger acts/musicians and over the years afforded them performance opportunities at The Groove Garden. She has assisted many local acts by taking professional photos of their performances and allowing them to be used in future promotional efforts.
3. Builder, creator
Built and ran the Groove Garden venue which featured live music every Sunday for many years. The venue featured many acts that rarely had the opportunity to play elsewhere and featured jams every week. The venue became a place for musicians to meet and network which lead to the formation of new acts. Samra assisted Peter Allan with Pistol Pete's BBQ, which became an important part of events in the early days of ARBA. Samra's contribution as official photographer has played an important part in the ongoing development and success of the Port Noarlunga Blues Festival.
4. Mentor
Samra showed what can be achieved, running a music venue week in, week out on a shoe string and has provided inspiration and advice to others.
5. Conscientious worker
Samra's work ethic is second to none, working tirelessly as a volunteer in the capacities already outlined above.
6. Courage and commitment
Samra ran the Groove Garden every week without fail, rain hail or shine. She continuously offers her time to photograph local blues and roots events. She does this for ARBA, Port Noarlunga Blues Festival, Three Brothers Arms and other events/venues as time allows. The only time Samra has not been the designated photographer at ARBA events is when she has already committed to volunteer elsewhere.
7. Embodies the spirit of the Blues
Samra has amply demonstrated her long time commitment to the local scene over many years.
The Adelaide Roots and Blues Association congratulates Samra for being a deserving winner of this award!