NIDA would like to pay tribute to iconic Australian television and media producer Reg Grundy OBE who has passed away at the age of 92.
Grundy was one of Australia’s most successful producers, bringing classic TV programs to our screens including Division 4,Matlock Police,The Restless Years,The Young Doctors,Prisoner,Sons And DaughtersandNeighbours, which is the longest running drama series in Australian television history. His visionary approach to creating television and to understanding what the Australian viewer wanted to see, has shaped the nature of today’s vibrant television and production industry.
A generous donor to NIDA and recognised for his philanthropy as an honorary governor of NIDA, Grundy donated $500,000 to support the building and fitout of our film and TV studio, which was named in his honour in 2004.Di Drew, NIDA’s Head of Screen commented: ‘The Reg Grundy Studio provides NIDA students with a vital screen experience in an industry standard setting. This ‘real industry’ environment is pivotal to screen training.’
NIDA students have gone onto achieve great success thanks to training within this world-class studio setting, including recent graduates Jessica Marais (Love Child, Packed to the Rafters), Miranda Tapsell (The Sapphires, Love Child), Sarah Snook (The Dressmaker, Predestination), Joel Jackson (Deadline Gallipoli, Peter Allen: Not the Boy Next Door), Ryan Corr (Holding the Man, Love Child), Shari Sebbens (The Sapphires, Redfern Now) and many more. Grundy was an Australian television pioneer, and this included a commitment to fostering the training of Australia’s emerging talent – ensuring the industry has a pool of talented actors and creative professionals that understand the unique nature of a TV studio and what it takes to communicate to an audience from a small screen.
NIDA expresses sincere condolences to Reg Grundy’s wife Joy, their family and friends.
