Anne Phelan facts for kids

Anne Mary Phelan (born August 2, 1948 – died October 27, 2019) was a well-known Australian actress. She performed in many plays, TV shows, movies, and even did voice-overs for radio and documentaries.

Anne was famous for her roles in popular Australian TV shows. She played Kate Ashwood in Bellbird. Later, she became very popular as Myra Desmond in Prisoner from 1980 to 1985. She also starred as Monica Taylor in Something in the Air (2000–2002). For this role, she won a major award in 2000, the AFI (AACTA) Award for Best Actress. She had also won an AFI Award in 1988 for her role in the miniseries Poor Man's Orange.

In 2016, Anne received a special Equity Lifetime Achievement Award for her long and successful career. She was also very active in helping people and supporting important causes.

Early Life and Acting Start

Anne Phelan grew up in Fitzroy, Victoria. She often said that she didn't go to acting school. Instead, she learned her craft by working in amateur theatre for 15 years. This hands-on experience helped her become a skilled actress.

She began her professional TV career in 1968. One of her first big roles was in the soap opera Bellbird in the early 1970s. She played the character Kate Ashwood.

Anne Phelan's TV Career

Anne Phelan appeared in many TV shows throughout her career. She was known for playing strong and memorable characters.

Becoming Myra Desmond in Prisoner

In the late 1970s, Anne had a few guest roles in the popular show Prisoner. She first played Officer Manson in one episode in 1979. Later that year, she returned to the show as a different character, Bernadette, a prisoner.

Her most famous role in Prisoner was as Myra Desmond. She first appeared as Myra from 1980 to 1983. Myra then became a regular character in 1984, and Anne continued in the role for another 18 months.

Other Notable TV Roles

Anne also appeared in other soap operas like Starting Out (1983) and Family and Friends (1990). She was a main cast member in Something in the Air from 2000 to 2002.

She made guest appearances in many drama series, including The Flying Doctors and Blue Heelers. She was also a regular on Marshall Law. Anne even appeared in the comedy show Mother and Son as a social worker.

Anne Phelan also had two guest roles in the long-running soap opera Neighbours. She played Claudia Harvey in 1997 and later Doreen "Peace Dove" Cassidy in 2004. In 2012, Anne joined the cast of the comedy-drama Winners & Losers as Dot Gross. This was her first regular role in 10 years.

Community Work and Activism

Beyond acting, Anne Phelan was a dedicated public speaker and activist. She cared deeply about helping others.

She received the Don Mackay Award in 2006 for her great work in regional touring. This award recognized her efforts to bring arts to different parts of Australia.

From 2000, Anne was the patron of Positive Women (Victoria). This group supports women living with HIV. In 2002, she won the Oz Showbiz Cares / Equity Fights AIDS Activist of the Year Award. This was for her amazing work in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Anne also performed and sang with the Choir of Hard Knocks. This group busked on Melbourne's streets to raise money for performances. She was a member of Actors For Refugees, a group of performers who help share the stories of refugees and asylum seekers in Australia. Anne was also an ambassador for Alzheimer's Australia Vic, helping to educate and support those affected by dementia.

Later Life and Passing

Anne Phelan passed away peacefully on October 27, 2019, at the age of 71. She was privately cremated.

Filmography

Stage Performances

Other Work

Anne Phelan also lent her voice and talents to other projects.

Radio and Voice Work

• She read books for ABC Radio, including Down by the Dockside and The Harp in the South.
• She performed in radio plays and serials, like the one-woman play Dream Kitchen.
• Anne was the narrator for documentaries such as Visions of Yankalilla and the series Grey Voyagers for SBS.
• She performed a TV monologue called The Agony and the Ecstasy for the ABC.

Live Performances

Anne performed in various live shows, including:

• Cinderella – An Adult Pantomime at Capers Dinner Theatre.
• Sweet Fanny Adams.
• Shows at Tikki and John's Theatre Restaurant.
• She was part of a singing group called The Glitter Sisters.

Corporate Work

• Anne also appeared in a video for the Anti-Cancer Council about Breast Health.

Awards and Special Recognition

Honours

• In 2007, Anne Phelan received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). This honor was for her service to the arts as an actress and for her community work. She was recognized for supporting women living with the HIV virus and helping asylum seekers and refugees.
• In 2008, she was added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.
• Her achievements were recognized by her inclusion in Who's Who in Australia since 2006.

Awards and Nominations