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Anne Phelan

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For the Irish politician, see Ann Phelan.

Anne Phelan
OAM
Born
Anne Mary Phelan

(1948-08-02)2 August 1948[1]
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Died27 October 2019(2019-10-27) (aged 71)
Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
Years active1968–2019
Notable credits

Anne Mary Phelan OAM (2 August 1948[1] – 27 October 2019) was an Australian actress of stage and screen who appeared in many theatre, television and film productions as well as radio and voice-over.

Her television soap opera roles included Bellbird as Kate Ashwood, Prisoner (1980–1985) as Myra Desmond, Something in the Air (2000–2002) as Monica Taylor, for which she won the 2000 AFI (AACTA) Award for Best Actress in a Television Drama, having previously won the 1988 AFI Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries for Poor Man's Orange.

She received the Equity Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. She was also an activist for humanitarian causes.

Early life

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Phelan was raised in Fitzroy, Victoria.[2] She was reported as saying that she had no formal study or qualifications for acting or singing, but instead had trained through 15 years work in amateur theatre.[3] At age 16, she became pregnant and gave her daughter up for adoption, seeing her again for the first time 50 years later.[4]

Career

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Phelan began her television career in 1968.[5] She had an ongoing role in the soap opera Bellbird as Kate Ashwood in the early 1970s.[2][6][3]

In the late 1970s, she played guest roles in Prisoner. She took the role of Officer Manson, appearing in one episode of the series in 1979. This character had the sole purpose of threatening to resign over the favourable treatment afforded to prisoner Barbara Davidson in episode 17. Later in 1979, Phelan reappeared in the series, this time playing the role of dopey prisoner Bernadette in a number of episodes.

She first appeared in Prisoner on a recurring basis as Myra Desmond[6] between 1980 and 1983; Myra was then reintroduced to the series in early 1984 as a regular character and Phelan continued in the role for a further 18 months.

Anne Phalan in her iconic role as Myra Desmond in Australian drama/soap opera Prisoner.

Phelan's other soap roles included Starting Out (1983), Family and Friends (1990) and Something in the Air (2000–2002).[2][6] She made guest starring appearances in many drama series, including The Flying Doctors[5] and Blue Heelers.[2] She was also a regular on Marshall Law[4] and appeared in the ABC comedy Mother and Son[4] playing the role of a social worker who befriends Maggie Beare.

She also made two guest appearances in Neighbours.[2][6] The first, in 1997, was as the character of Claudia Harvey and the second, in 2004, was as Doreen "Peace Dove" Cassidy.

In 2007, Phelan appeared in episode 6 of The Librarians[4] as a prisoner with the Prisoner theme song.[clarification needed]

In 2012, Phelan joined the cast of comedy drama Winners & Losers in the ongoing role of Dot Gross.[2][7] Winners & Losers marked her first regular role in 10 years. Prior to this, she had appeared in several theatre productions and made various television guest appearances.[7]

Community work

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Phelan was a public speaker and a recipient of Regional Arts Victoria's Don Mackay Award (2006) for Outstanding Achievement in Regional Touring.

From 2000, she was the patron of Positive Women (Victoria), a support and advocacy group run by and for women living with HIV.[2][6][4] She received the Oz Showbiz Cares / Equity Fights AIDS 2002 Activist of the Year Award for outstanding contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

She performed and sang with the Choir of Hard Knocks on Melbourne's streets in 2006, busking to raise money for a performance at the Melbourne Town Hall.[citation needed] She was a member of Actors For Refugees, a group of performers who volunteer their time and talent to tell the stories of Australia's refugees and asylum seekers.[2][4] She was an ambassador for Alzheimer's Australia Vic, educators, advocates and spokespeople for those living with dementia, their families and friends and those who support them.

Death

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Phelan died of natural causes on 27 October 2019. She was 71 at her time of death,[1] although, some sources have stated her age as 75.[2][4] She was privately cremated.[8]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1976 The Devil's Playground Girl in pub [4]
1980 Hard Knocks [4]
1985 I Live with Me Dad Mrs
1997 The Balanced Particle Freeway Highest Tree (voice)
1998 Edithvale Mrs Vale
1999 The Craic Truck Driver [2][4]
2009 Inanimate Objects 'Mum' Patterson
2009 Charlie & Boots Female Truckie [2][4]
2019 Ride Like a Girl [2][6]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1968 The Battlers Ma Tyrell TV series
1972 Matlock Police Nurse / Policewoman Williams TV series, 2 episodes[4]
1973 Ryan Betty TV series[4]
1973, 1974 Homicide Waitress / Valmai Dunn TV series, 2 episodes[4][5]
1973, 1974 Division 4 Mardi Campbell / Maria Ponti TV series, 2 episodes[4]
1973, 1974 Matlock Police Nancy Wells / WPC Winifred Drew / Molly TV series, 3 episodes[4]
1974–77 Bellbird Kate Ashwood TV series[4][5]
1975 Matlock Police Ellen TV series[4][5]
1976 The Sentimental Bloke Mabel TV film
1979 Skyways Joan Hailey TV series, Episode: "We Can Face It Together"[4]
1979 Prisoner Officer Manson TV series, Episode: "Episode #1.17"
1980–85 Prisoner Myra Desmond TV series[5]
1981 Holiday Island TV series, 1 episode[4]
1982 A Country Practice Rita Parsons TV series, 2 episodes[4][5]
1982 Sons and Daughters Tenant TV series[4]
1983 Carson's Law TV series[4]
1983 A Descant for Gossips Mrs. Lalor Miniseries
1983 Starting Out Mrs. De Soosa
1984 Special Squad TV series
1986 The Fast Lane Beth TV series, Episode: "Following by Example"[4]
1987 The Harp in the South Mumma Darcy [4][5]
1987 Poor Man's Orange Mumma Darcy [5][9]
1988 Mother and Son Wilma TV series, Episode: "The Friend"[4]
1988 The Bartons Mrs. Frawley TV series, Episode: "Beautiful Beetroot"
1988 The Flying Doctors Rosie TV series[5]
1989 G.P. Dulcie TV series[4]
1989 Dearest Enemy Mother
1989 Inside Running Justine [4]
1989 The Flying Doctors Lorraine TV series[5]
1990 Family and Friends Dawn Rossi TV series
1990 Skirts (TV series) Mrs. Donovan TV series
1991 The Flying Doctors Beryl Horden TV series[5]
1991 Kelly Rosie TV series, Episode: "The Bird Thieves"
1991 Col'n Carpenter Mrs Fuller TV series[4]
1992 Late for School Mrs. Dicks
1992 Boys from the Bush Betty TV series, Episode: "Dancing in the Dark"
1994 Blue Heelers Mrs. Brady TV series, Episode: "Life After Death"
1994 Law of the Land Mrs. Bickerton / Gracie Morrison TV series[4]
1996–98 Blue Heelers Jeannie O'Dwyer TV series[4][5]
1996 The Man from Snowy River Nell Frampton TV series, Episode: "The Grand Duke"[4]
1997 Good Guys, Bad Guys Maisie TV series, Episode: "Gone to the Dogs"[4]
1997 Simone de Beauvoir's Babies Postie TV series, 2 episodes[4]
1997 Neighbours Claudia Harvey TV series[5]
1999 The Micallef Programme Madame Pogg in 'Spiffington Manse' TV series[4]
2000 Thunderstone Proprietress TV series,,2 episodes[4]
2000 Dogwoman Joan Jarvis TV series[4]
2000–2002 Something in the Air Monica Taylor TV series[2][6]
2002 Marshall Law Esther Hirsh Q.C. TV series[4]
2003 Good Morning Australia Guest - Herself TV series, 1 episode
2003 Welcher & Welcher Mrs. Cohen TV series, Episode: "Adam's Rib"
2004–05 Neighbours Doreen Cassidy TV series[5]
2007 The Librarians Big Bertha TV series, Episode: "And Nothing But the Truth"[4]
2010 Sleuth 101 Pat TV series, Episode: "A Tan to Die For"
2012–15 Winners & Losers Dot Gross TV series[2][5]
2014 Worst Year of My Life Again Aunt Ethel TV series, Episode: "Christmas"
2015 Sammy J & Randy in Ricketts Lane Mrs Tuppens TV series, Episode: "Dances with Wolves"[4]

Television variety specials

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Year Title Role Notes
Something Special Solo singing
Frankie Howerd Specials Comedy sketches
The Glitter Sisters Singing group

Stage

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Year Title Role Producer
2010 Do Not Go Gentle Wilson fortyfivedownstairs
2010 Dirty Dusting Olive Ellis Productions
Guys and Dolls General Cartwright Shows Management
Fiddler on the Roof Yente Fiddler on the Roof P/L
In the Family (return season) Marion Positive Women
An Accidental Actress (biographical) Herself Hothouse Theatre
Faith Grace The Torch Project
Tune in Tomorrow (return season) Music Revue Don Mckay Productions
If I Should Die Before I Wake Joan Auspicious Arts Projects
Embers (Play reading) Hothouse Theatre
I Do, In Caroline Springs Joy Chapel off Chapel
In the Family Marion Positive Women
Tune in Tomorrow Music Revue Don McKay Productions
Mavis goes to Timor Mavis Taylor Deckchair Theatre
Over There Workshop Playbox Theatre
1999 Wonderful Ward Vera Melbourne Comedy Festival
1998 Mechtron Lou Jade Community Theatre[10]
A Hard God Aggie Cassidy State Theatre Co of SA
Romeo and Juliet Nurse Melbourne Theatre Co
Sweeney Todd Mrs Lovett Queensland Theatre Co
Aftershocks Lyn Melbourne Theatre Co
Gigi Inez Alvarez Queensland Theatre Co
A Hard Act to Follow One woman show La Mama
1994 The Grapes of Wrath Ma Joad Melbourne Theatre Co[11]
Meekatharra Abbie Black Swan, WA
Diving for Pearls Barb State Theatre Co of SA
Dream Kitchen One woman show La Mama
This Old Man Comes Rolling Home Laurie Melbourne Theatre Co
A Family Affair Agrafena Northside Theatre Co[12]
1988 Dinkum Assorted Grace STC / MTC[13]
Away Gwen Playbox / Vic Arts Council
Season's Greetings Rachael Melbourne Theatre Co[5]
On Our Selection (& return season) Mum Melbourne Theatre Co
Stevie Stevie Smith Vic Arts Council
A Cuckoo in the Nest Gladys Melbourne Theatre Co
The Good Person of Setzuan Mrs Young Melbourne Theatre Co
1980 Flexitime Beryl Vic Arts Council[3][14][15]
Gentlemen Only Freddi Playbox Theatre
1978 Cabaret Sally Bowles Actors Company[3][16]
Let Me In Playbox Theatre
Flash Jim Vaux Nell Melbourne Theatre Co
All My Sons Melbourne Theatre Co
Salad Days St Martins Theatre Co
Twelve Angry Women St Martins Theatre Co
The Patrick Pearce Motel Niamh St Martins Theatre Co
Cabaret Frau Kost Commercial Theatre (SA)
I Do, I Do Agnes Cottage Theatre (SA)

Other work

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Radio and voice
  • ABC Book readings include: Down by the Dockside and The Harp in the South
  • Serials and plays including the production of the one-woman-play Dream Kitchen
  • Narrator for Visions of Yankalilla, a documentary for Flaming Star Pictures and the documentary series Grey Voyagers, for SBS
  • TV monologue – The Agony and the Ecstasy, for the ABC
Theatre restaurant, live variety, revue
  • Cinderella – An Adult Pantomime (Capers Dinner Theatre)
  • Sweet Fanny Adams
  • Tikki and John's Theatre Restaurant
  • The Glitter Sisters (original 14-month Melbourne season)[3][14]
Corporate
  • Anti-Cancer Council Breast Health Video

Awards and honours

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Honours

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Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Work / nominee Result Ref
1984 Penguin Award Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Serial Prisoner Won [4][5]
1985 Penguin Award Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Serial Won [4][5]
1987 Australian Film Institute Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini Series The Harp in the South Nominated
Penguin Award Performance by a Female Actor in a Principal Role in a One-off Drama Won [20]
Variety Club Heart Awards Variety Club Television Actress of the Year — Won
1988 Australian Film Institute Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini Series Poor Man's Orange Won [21]
Penguin Award Best Actress in a One-off Drama Won [22]
Green Room Award Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Drama) Season's Greetings Won [5]
2000 Australian Film Institute Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Television Drama Something in the Air
Episode: "We Will Remember Them" 		Won [5][2][21]
2002 Oz Showbiz Cares / Equity Fights AIDS Activist of the Year — Won
2006 Regional Arts Victoria Don Mackay Award Outstanding Achievement in Regional Touring — Won
2016 Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance Equity Lifetime Achievement Award — Won [2][23]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Anne Phelan exclusive". The Australian Women's Weekly. 1 February 2017. Archived from the original on 2 November 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020 – via pressreader.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Moran, Robert (28 October 2019). "One of the Best Humans: Prisoner actress Anne Phelan dies aged 75". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e O'Sullivan, Margaret (12 November 1978). "From Bellbird to Cabaret". The Sun-Herald. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. p. 179. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap Knox, David (28 October 2019). "Vale: Anne Phelan". TV Tonight. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Anne Phelan, Australian actor best known as star of Prisoner, dies aged 75". The Guardian. 28 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h "Anne Phelan, acclaimed actor on Australian stages and screens, dies aged 71". ABC News. Australia. 28 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  7. ^ a b Knox, David (29 June 2012). "Annie Phelan joins Winners & Losers". TV Tonight. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  8. ^ "Phelan.— Anne Mary OAM". Weekly Times Now.
  9. ^ Oliver, Robin (7 September 1987). "Poor Man's Orange". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. p. 66. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  10. ^ Thomson, Helen (11 August 1998). "Community counts the cost". The Age. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. p. 13. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  11. ^ Larkin, John (22 May 1994). "Game attempt at a hard act to follow". The Age. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. p. 43. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  12. ^ Evans, Bob (17 February 1989). "Miscarriage can't find right track". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. p. 12. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  13. ^ Kippax, H.G. (3 June 1988). "Assorted dinkum delights". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. p. 18. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  14. ^ a b Gibson, Mike (29 June 1980). "Flexitime's a big laugh". The Sun-Herald. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. p. 135. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  15. ^ Hogan, Christine (24 June 1980). "At home with hound and hearth". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. p. 12. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  16. ^ Costantino, Romola (22 November 1978). "Pocket Version". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. p. 8. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  17. ^ "Phelan, Anne Mary". Australian Honours. Commonwealth of Australia. 11 June 2007. Archived from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  18. ^ "Queen's birthday honours". Herald Sun. News Limited. 11 June 2007. Archived from the original on 3 April 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  19. ^ "Victorian Honour Roll Booklet 2008" (PDF). Office of Women's Policy, Department for Victorian Communities. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  20. ^ Hooks, Barbara (2 November 1987). "No yawns at the '87 Penguins". The Age. p. 19. Retrieved 31 January 2020 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  21. ^ a b "AFI Award Winners – Television Categories (1986–2009)". AFI Awards. Australian Film Institute. 2009. Archived from the original on 20 September 2009. Retrieved 2010-11-21.
  22. ^ Hook, Barbara (21 November 1988). "Doogue aside, Penguins look good". The Age. Retrieved 4 February 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  23. ^ "2016: the year in review". Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
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