Geoffrey Rush – our Australian of the Year

Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush (pictured) was last night announced as our Australian of the Year in recognition of his contribution to the arts.

The 60-year-old, who this year celebrates 40 years in the industry, gained international fame in 1996 for his portrayal of pianist David Helfgott in the movie Shine which led to him winning the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Despite much of Rush’s acting work being in the theatre and on film, the Queensland-born actor has also worked in television.  He made his TV acting debut in the ABC mini-series Menotti in 1981.

He later appeared in Twisted Tales and played the lead role of newspaper editor Bill Wyatt in the 1996 series Mercury.

Rush also made a guest appearance in Kath And Kim in 2004.

Also on this Australia Day, a number of television identities were among the hundreds recognised in this year’s Australia Day honours list:

Maggie Beer – “For service to the tourism and hospitality industries as a cook, restaurateur and author, and to the promotion of Australian produce and cuisine.”  Beer was a co-presenter on the popular ABC series The Cook And The Chef for five years and has also been a regular guest on MasterChef Australia.

Jamie Durie – “For service to the community as an ambassador and supporter of a range of charitable and environmental organisations, and as a landscape designer.”  Durie came to national fame as the presenter of Backyard Blitz and The Block.  He has more recently appeared on the Seven Network’s The Outdoor Room and gained international fame when he caught the attention of Oprah Winfrey.

Gus Mercurio (posthumously) – “For service to boxing as an administrator and sports commentator, as a film, television and stage actor, and to the community.”  Mercurio appeared in numerous television series over his career, including period dramas Cash And Company, The Sullivans, Power Without Glory, Tandarra, Five Mile Creek and All The Rivers Run, and was a boxing commentator for 12 years.

Oscar Whitbread – “For service to the Australian film and television industry.”  Whitbread has been a television producer since the 1960s, working on ABC dramas including Bellbird, Marion, And The Big Men Fly, Power Without Glory, Rush, Catspaw, The Truckies, Outbreak Of Love and I Can Jump Puddles.  He later worked on The Flying Doctors, Ratbag Hero, Cluedo and Acropolis Now.

Source: ABC, Governor-General of Australia, IMDB, IMDB.

Obituary: Gus Mercurio

Gus Mercurio, actor and boxing identity, has died in Melbourne.

The 82-year-old died from complications arising from an operation for a chest aneurism at a Melbourne hospital.

Born in Wisconsin, USA, Mercurio came to Australia in the 1950s.  A professional boxer, he became deeply involved with the game in Australia as an administrator, referee and commentator.

In the 1970s he made a break into acting, appearing in TV series including The Long Arm, Division 4, Homicide and Matlock Police but became probably best known for his roles in historical dramas, including Cash And Company (pictured), Tandarra, Power Without Glory, All The Rivers Run and Five Mile Creek.

Mercurio also featured on the big screen in titles including Crocodile Dundee II, The Man From Snowy River and The Blue Lagoon.

Gus Mercurio is survived by his current partner Rita and six children, including TV presenter and performer Paul Mercurio.

Source: Herald Sun, ABC, IMDB.

Ernie Bourne

Veteran performer Ernie Bourne has died in Melbourne at the age of 82.

With a career dating back to the earliest days of Australian television, English-born Bourne appeared in early productions such as the courtroom drama Consider Your Verdict and the situation comedy Hey You! (pictured)

Bourne also starred in the popular '60s children's series The Magic Circle Club and its spin-off Adventure Island. Other TV credits include a raft of Crawford dramas such as Homicide, Division Four, Matlock Police and The Sullivans and historical dramas Against The Wind, Cash And Company and The Last Outlaw.

In the '80s, Bourne had ongoing roles as prison chef Mervin Pringle in Prisoner and later as mechanic Rob Lewis in Neighbours.

As well as his lengthy list of television roles, Bourne was also an accomplished stage performer with roles in They’re Playing Our Song, Mame, Mack And Mabel, Anything Goes and Man Of La Mancha.

According to IMDB, Bourne's most recent TV series roles were in children's series Thunderstone and cop drama Blue Heelers. More recently, Bourne has featured in a series of commercials for a Melbourne sporting gear outlet.

And showbusiness runs in the family with daughter Sally, who also had an ongoing role in Prisoner, currently in the stage production Shane Warne The Musical.

Source: TV Tonight, Aussie Theatre, IMDB, Perfect Blend, Have Phaser Will Travel
Picture: From The Word Go! (ATV10)