Richard crowned 'King' of Changchun on a night of high emotion in the World Life Club

On a dazzling night of glamour and beauty with all the bright young things from Changchun strutting the light fantastic, our very own hot hot hot Honey Golightly reports on the evening.

"I have a feeling my career has just peaked,"quipped Richard Roman, accepting his first Choonie in typically deadpan style.

The 36-year-hunk was quite clearly humbled as he walked up on stage to receive the award, which he dedicated to his mother and his partner for "putting up with my fleeting delusions of royalty" in his self-deprecating acceptance speech.

Perhaps the most poignant win of the night belonged to New York cook David Baumel, who created the amazing Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner which won the Event of the year award (the dinner, not the turkey)

David told the audience that as a young boy he had watched his grandmother intently as she created her secret recipes. "Really, really, really truly wow," said the visibly shocked David, who received his Choony from soon to be Changchun legend Jack Field

Gaiea beat competition from a wide range of contenders to be voted the best Chinese friend of the year. Always the clear favourite to win for her searingly honest performance as the wife of a disturbed Buddhist monk, the emotional star also paid tribute to her co-nominees, saying, "I truly wish that the prize tonight was to get to work with my fellow nominees – I'm so in awe of you."

Montanna born Fin Macdonald took home his first award for his emotional coaster rider of the real life story of the crazed Andrev Yongovlaschenski

Fin, who was away on location during the ceremony overcame a debilitating stutter as a child and asked Dutch Martin to collect on his behalf “I accept this on behalf of all the stutterers in the world. We have a voice. We have a pipe, We have been heard."

Martin then forgot that he was collecting on behalf on Fin and continued "What a room full of talented inspirational people – what the hell am I doing here?" he said before paying tribute to his muse Jane - "my mast through the storms of life".

Langli, voted best Changchun character of the year had broadcasters in a panic after he accidently used an expletive at the podium. They had to bleep out the offending word and he later apologised saying it had been "inappropriate".

"I know there have been a lot of people saying some real, real nice things to me for several months now, but I am just shaking in my boots here."

It was a disappointing night for Andrev Yongovlaschenski who missed out in all major categories but won the Entrepreneur of the year award

Jack Field , the host for the evening stated at the end: "I am bushed mate and I think I know why. Martin Hendrick the organiser is so energetic, I think the Tasmanian Devil would look stoned standing next to him."

                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Full list of major awards

Changchun Friend of the Year- winner: Richard Roman;

runners-up: Richard Ridealgh, Ram, David Puckett

Best Chinese Friend of the Year- winner: Gaea;

runners-up: Donna, Derek and Jack London

Best Hotspot of the Year- winner: The Happy Home;

runners-up: Grandpa's and Grandma's and The World Life Club

Best Story/Article of the Year- winner: "The Fall and Rise of Andrev Yongovlaschenski" by Finn McDonald;

runners-up: "The Book of Zhou" by Martin Hendrick and "Backstreet Neighborhood" by Langlee

Best Group of the Year- winners: Changchun Live;

runners-up: Sound of Changchun and World Life Club

Best Event of the Year- winner: Thanksgiving at Grandpa's with David Baumel;

runners-up: The Latin Party, European Beer Tasting at the WLC

Best Song of the Year- winner: The 3 Martin's and an Aussie - "The Christmas Song";

runners-up: Alex Antonicelli and "This Song is Too Long", The 3 Martins and "Imagine There's No Jason", KiDDa Vitaly with "I'm Impressed"

Best Blogger of the Year- winner: Chris Knight;

runners-up: Richard Roman and Jason Reed

Best Video of the Year- winner: Curmudgeons Part 1 and 2;

runners-up: The 3 Martins, AT6 KiDDa & Indigo "Dress To Impress"

Best Changchun Character of the Year- winner: Langlee the Pirate;

runners-up: Jason Reed and Alex Antonicelli

Best Newbie of the Year- winner: Kim Jung Yoo;

runners-up: Gemma Morgan, Clement and Jack Field

A special Lifetime Achievement Award honored the memory of Mr. Jack Murray, founder of Perfect English School. A special award was presented to Janet Murray on behalf of all members of the expatriate community in Changchun

Mr Ma also kindly attended the event and received an award for the help he has extended to the expatriate community

Thanks to all who participated and made this a great night.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Very special thanks to our students: Lin Wei Ping -Rose-, Cheng Jing -Icy-, Zheng Zhou -Nirly-, Zheng Pei Pei -Grace- and Song Shuan -Edna-