Justine Saunders
Justine Florence Saunders, (20 February 1953 – 15 April 2007) was an Australian stage, television and film actress. She was a member of the Woppaburra, an Australian Aboriginal people, from the Kanomie clan of Great Keppel Island in Queensland.[1] On the small screen she appeared in numerous series, mini-series and telemovies.[1]
Justine Saunders | |
|---|---|
 Saunders in a scene from TV series Number 96. | |
| Born | Justine Florence Saunders 20 February 1953 Quilpie, Queensland, Australia |
| Died | 15 April 2007 (aged 54) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1974–2002 |
| Known for | Number 96 (TV series) as Rhonda Jackson Prisoner (TV series)‚ as Pamela Madigan |
| Awards | Aboriginal Artist of the Year Award (1985) Order of Australia (1991, rejected 2000) Red Ochre Award 1999 |
Screen roles
Saunders having started her career in theatre, made her screen debut in the television serial Rush in 1974, but first came to prominence as a cast member of soap opera Number 96 in 1976, as Rhonda Jackson. in a brief story arc portraying a character defending the rights of indigenous Australians. Subsequently, in 1986 she became best known for her role as social worker Pamela Madigan in the serial Prisoner
Other television credits include: Skyways, Women of the Sun (1981), Farscape, Blue Heelers, and MDA.
Her film work includes The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith and The Fringe Dwellers.[1]
Order of Australia Medal
In 1991, Saunders was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), for her services to the performing arts, her services to the National Aboriginal Theatre, and for her assistance in setting up the Black Theatre and the Aboriginal National Theatre Trust.[1]
In 2000, through the indigenous Senator Aden Ridgeway, she returned the medal in protest at the emotional turmoil her mother was suffering over the Howard government's denial of the term "stolen generation".
Personal
Saunders was born next to a railway track. At the age of 11, as a member of the Stolen Generation, she was removed from her mother Heather and taken to Brisbane and placed in a convent. Heather was not told of Justine's whereabouts for more than ten years, and spent much of that time searching for her.
In April 2007, Saunders died of cancer at Hawkesbury District Hospital, Sydney, aged 54.[2][3]
Honours and awards
- 1985 Saunders received the inaugural Aboriginal Artist of the Year award.[4]
- 1991 Medal of the Order of Australia (handed in 200o)[5]
- 1999 Red Ochre Award - Australia Council for the Arts[6]
Filmography
Film
| Title | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Essington (TV movie) | 1974 | |
| The Cake Man (TV movie) | 1977 | |
| The Death Train (TV movie) | 1978 | Greg's wife |
| The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith | 1978 | Nancy |
| Chase Through the Night (TV movie) | 1983 | Mary |
| Mail Order Bride (TV movie) | 1984 | Iris |
| Charley's Web (TV movie) | 1986 | Joan Lynch |
| The Fringe Dwellers | 1986 | Mollie Comeaway |
| Touch the Sun: Top Enders (TV movie) | 1988 | Elva |
| Until the End of the World | 1991 | Maisie |
| Jindalee Lady | 1992 | |
| The Tower (TV movie) | 1997 | Louise |
Television
| Title | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Rush | 1974 | Werowey |
| Ben Hall | 1975 | Jununji |
| Luke's Kingdom | 1976 | Aboriginal girl |
| Number 96 | 1976 | Rhonda Jackson |
| Pig in a Poke | 1977 | Maureen |
| Against the Wind (miniseries) | 1978 | Ngilgi |
| Top Mates (miniseries) | 1979 | |
| Skyways | 1979 | Flight attendant Helen Smith |
| Women of the Sun (miniseries) | 1981 | Mérida Anderson |
| Silent Reach (miniseries) | 1983 | Allison Burnie |
| Prisoner: Cell Block H | 1986 | Pamela Madigan |
| A Country Practice | 1987 | Brenda Dwyer - episode part 1 and 2; Birds of Prey |
| The First Australians | 1988 | Co-presenter |
| G.P. | 1992 | Dolly |
| The Flying Doctors | 1989-92 | Bessie / Magistrate Krum |
| Heartland (miniseries) | 1994 | Millie Carmichael |
| House Gang | 1996 | President of Australia |
| The Violent Earth (miniseries) | 1998 | Aunt Junie |
| Farscape | 2000 | Altana |
| Blue Heelers | Annie Baker | |
| MDA | 2002 | Ruby McKinnon |
References
- "Justine Saunders". National Portrait Gallery (Australia). Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- Carman, Gerry (18 April 2007). "A fight against the stereotype". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 April 2007.Obituary.
- Obituary "Aboriginal actress who broke stereotypes", by Gerry Carman and Pauline Clague, The Age, 17 April 2007.
- "Aboriginal award for actress". The Canberra Times. Vol. 60, no. 18, 239. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 7 September 1985. p. 3. Retrieved 11 August 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- "Ms Justine Saunders - OAM". Australian Honours. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 26 January 1991. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- Red Ochre Award Archived 1 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine