Gwen Plumb
Encyclopedia
Gwen Plumb AM BEM
(2 August 19125 June 2002) was a veteran Australian performer of stage, radio and television.
, and hosted a radio program on Australia's Macquarie Network from 1945 to 1974.
Plumb had a long career in the theatre, was a cast member of the debut season of the Old Tote Theatre Company
, travelled extensively overseas to interview celebrities for her own radio programme, and once quipped that she "played in just about every form of public entertainment except the circus".
She is probably best remembered for her portrayal of "gossip", Ada Simmonds in the Australian soap opera The Young Doctors
for its entire November 1976–March 1983 run. Other notable roles were in the mini-series The Harp in the South and Poor Man's Orange
in the mid 1980s. She acted in Neighbours
as Mrs Forbes in 1985.
She later played the key role of Mum Foote in the serial Richmond Hill
in 1988. Having agreed to act in the planned new series Plumb had been offered, and played, the role of Doris Peters in the pilot of another proposed series Home and Away
. When Home and Away also went into production, Plumb opted to honour her earlier agreement to do Richmond Hill. The role of Mum Foote had been specially written with her in mind by show creator, Reg Watson
. Richmond Hill had a run of just 12 months, and Plumb stayed with the series for all of that time; Home and Away on the other hand is still running today. In 1995 Plumb returned to Home and Away for a number of episodes, playing a different character.
Plumb also appeared in the mini-series Stark, based on Ben Elton
's novel of the same name
.
Her long-term partner was actress Thelma Scott
.
in 1973, and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1993. Both awards recognised her community and charity work.
British Empire Medal
The Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service, usually known as the British Empire Medal , is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown...
(2 August 19125 June 2002) was a veteran Australian performer of stage, radio and television.
Biography
Gwendoline Jean Plumb was born in 1912. She had her first well-known role as Emmy in the longest-running Australian radio serial Blue HillsBlue Hills (radio serial)
.Blue Hills, written by Gwen Meredith, was an Australian radio serial about the lives of families in a typical Australian country town called Tanimbla. "Blue Hills" itself was the residence of the town’s doctor....
, and hosted a radio program on Australia's Macquarie Network from 1945 to 1974.
Plumb had a long career in the theatre, was a cast member of the debut season of the Old Tote Theatre Company
Old Tote Theatre Company
The Old Tote Theatre Company began as the standing acting and theatre company of Australia's National Institute of Dramatic Art and was the precursor to the Sydney Theatre Company.. It was one of the leading Australian theatre companies of the period.The Old Tote began in a converted tin shed on...
, travelled extensively overseas to interview celebrities for her own radio programme, and once quipped that she "played in just about every form of public entertainment except the circus".
She is probably best remembered for her portrayal of "gossip", Ada Simmonds in the Australian soap opera The Young Doctors
The Young Doctors
The Young Doctors is an Australian early evening soap opera. The series was set in the fictional Albert Memorial hospital and primarily concerned with romances between younger members of the hospital staff, screened on the Nine Network from Monday, 8 November 1976 until Wednesday, 30 March...
for its entire November 1976–March 1983 run. Other notable roles were in the mini-series The Harp in the South and Poor Man's Orange
Poor Man's Orange
Poor Man's Orange is a novel by New Zealand born Australian author Ruth Park. Published in 1949, the book is the sequel to The Harp in the South and continues the story of the Darcy family, living in the Surry Hills area of Sydney....
in the mid 1980s. She acted in Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
as Mrs Forbes in 1985.
She later played the key role of Mum Foote in the serial Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill (TV series)
Richmond Hill was an Australian television soap opera made in 1988 by the Reg Grundy Organisation for the Ten Network. It was devised by Reg Watson who also created Neighbours...
in 1988. Having agreed to act in the planned new series Plumb had been offered, and played, the role of Doris Peters in the pilot of another proposed series Home and Away
Home and Away
Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television...
. When Home and Away also went into production, Plumb opted to honour her earlier agreement to do Richmond Hill. The role of Mum Foote had been specially written with her in mind by show creator, Reg Watson
Reg Watson
Reginald James "Reg" Watson AM is an Australian television producer, best known for creating soap operas like Prisoner and Neighbours.-Career:...
. Richmond Hill had a run of just 12 months, and Plumb stayed with the series for all of that time; Home and Away on the other hand is still running today. In 1995 Plumb returned to Home and Away for a number of episodes, playing a different character.
Plumb also appeared in the mini-series Stark, based on Ben Elton
Ben Elton
Benjamin Charles "Ben" Elton is an English comedian, author, playwright and director. He was a leading figure in the British alternative comedy movement of the 1980s, as a writer on such cult series as The Young Ones and Blackadder, as well as also a successful stand-up comedian on stage and TV....
's novel of the same name
Stark (novel)
Stark is a 1989 novel by comedian Ben Elton. It was commercially and critically successful in the United Kingdom and Australia. It was Elton's first novel, and launched his writing career...
.
Her long-term partner was actress Thelma Scott
Thelma Scott
Thelma Scott was an Australian actress whose 70-year career in theatre, radio, film and television made her one of her country's most recognisable personalities....
.
Autobiography
Plumb wrote her autobiography, entitled Plumb Crazy which was published by Pan Macmillan in 1994.Honours
Plumb was awarded a British Empire MedalBritish Empire Medal
The Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service, usually known as the British Empire Medal , is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown...
in 1973, and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1993. Both awards recognised her community and charity work.