Joy Cavill (1923 – 1 March 1990) was an Australian screenwriter and producer.

Biography

She worked in radio for a number of years[1] before breaking into films as continuity person on King of the Coral Sea (1954).[2] This film started an association with Lee Robinson which went on for many years, and involved her working with him as a secretary, writer, associate producer and producer on a number of projects, notably Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, on which she was sole producer on the third season.[3] She was also close to Chips Rafferty, who nicknamed her "Mother".[4]

In 1964 she travelled to the Tokyo Olympics to film a special on Dawn Fraser. While there she suffered a heart attack. She spent several months recovering then moved to Canada, directing documentaries and TV commercials.[5] In the late 60s she returned to Australia and resumed her association with Robinson.

Without Robinson, she wrote and produced the feature film, Dawn! (1979), a biopic of the Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser, with whom Cavill had a romantic relationship.[6][7] She is considered one of the pioneer female producers of the Australian film industry.[8]

Among the filmmakers Cavill trained were Lyn McEncroe, Adrian Read, Sue Milliken and Jill Robb. As her obituary stated:

Secretary, continuity girl, associate producer, writer, producer, filmmaker and "Mother:" Joy Cavill was many things to many people. Her outstanding contribution to the Australian film industry and her fine leadership qualities will be missed.[4]

Selected Credits

References

  1. "Identify voice, win £370". Sunday Mail (Brisbane) (Qld. : 1926 - 1954). Brisbane) (Qld.: National Library of Australia. 1 May 1949. p. 4. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  2. "Film Continuity Girl Took Notes Underwater." The Sydney Morning Herald 8 Apr 1954: 9 Section: Women's Section accessed 16 December 2011
  3. Don Storey, 'Skippy', Classic Australian TV, 2008
  4. 1 2 Pat Gillespie, "Joy Cavill", Cinema Papers, May 1990 p79
  5. David Stratton, The Last New Wave: The Australian Film Revival, Angus & Robertson, 1980 p111
  6. "Dawn sets the record straight.(Local)", The Australian (National, Australia), News Limited: 003, 1 June 2001, retrieved 9 January 2012
  7. Vagg, Stephen (29 September 2019). "Ten Stories About Australian Screenwriters You Might Not Know". Filmink.
  8. Jan Chapman, "Some Significant Women In Australian Film – A Celebration And A Cautionary Tale", Senses of Cinema, 28 August 2002
  9. Awgie winners 1968–2006
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