The ACTRA Awards were first presented in 1972 to celebrate excellence in Canada's television and radio industries."ACTRA". The Canadian Encyclopedia, February 6, 2006. Organized and presented by the Association of Canadian Television and Radio Artists, which represented performers, writers and broadcast journalists, the Nellie statuettes were presented annually until 1986."Canada's new TV award makes debut". Toronto Star, April 22, 1986. They were the primary national television award in Canada until 1986, when they were taken over by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to create the new Gemini Awards,"Last Nellie: Charlie Grant's War; Chaykin and Willoughby top actors in final ACTRAs". Montreal Gazette, April 3, 1986. although ACTRA continued to present Nellies in radio categories."CBC sweeps radio awards: CKO's Peter Varley sole winner in private sector". Toronto Star, December 3, 1986.
