It is with great sadness that we honour Actress Judy McBurney who passed away at the age of 70 after a three year battle with cancer. Surrounded by her family, including her sister Kay and niece, Melissa, Judy died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday 1st December. Her followers first heard the news via her official facebook page – ‘It’s with huge sadness the news has just reached me that Judy passed away at 6.15 this morning at a hospital in Sydney after a battle with cancer,’

She became a household name after rising to fame in the hit TV series The Young Doctors where she played the role of nurse Tania Livingston from 1977 until the series ended in 1982.   She then went on to play Sandra ‘Pixie’ Mason in Prisoner, a show inspired by the British television drama Within These Walls. The show gained a cult following for its portrayal of life inside a women’s minimum-security prison.

Judy was also well known as a model and voice-over artist for Television and Radio. In later years, she did many TV Commercial’s in Australia, America and Japan. Judy loved to pass on knowledge so it is not surprising to hear that she also taught modelling at The June Dally-Watkins School in Sydney.

Even as a young girl, Judy experienced a natural affinity for the healing of people who were in pain. She spend a number of years training to become a natural healer, in recent years Judy worked with the Acu Energetic Clinic.

Despite her battle with cancer, Judy always maintained a positive outlook. Her care and concern for her family and friends will be remembered fondly by those closest to her. The late Tony Alvarez, Judy’s on-screen husband in Young Doctors and one of her closest friends used to describe Judy as “a lovely lady who always finds a way to make you feel alive again when you’re feeling very down.”

Losing family and friends at this time of year is always difficult, so ALVA would like to honour Judy by posting her Christmas message recorded for the Perth Station STW-9

Judy’s farewell will be at Macquarie Crematorium – Crn Delhi & Plassey road Macquarie Park – Palm Chapel  on Friday December 7th. 11.30am.

Back in 1977, ALVA’s ‘brother/like-minded charity’ “The Echidnas” hosted, produced and performed a Showbusiness ROAST to honour Theatrical Agent, Brian Fogarty at St George Leagues Club. 800 people attended that day. Who knew that 41 years later, people would gather at the Rockdale Businessmen’s Club to relive these great memories with Agent to the stars – BRIAN FOGARTY.

Well that is exactly what has happened. Many gathered to listen to this wonderful broadcast containing many amazing comedians, sadly, some no longer with us. It was quite extraordinary hearing the voices of JACK O’LEARY, LARRY BURNS, LUCKY GRILLS, DAVE BURKE, KEITH SMART, WALLY LESTER, BARNEY COOMBES, JOHNNY HOLMES, SYD HEYLEN, JOHNNY GARFIELD, RAY SEAGER, SEAN KRAMER, MIKE HARRIS, BILLY KEARNS & RAY McGEARY + so many more. All that attended experienced so many emotions; some sad yet most joyful, as they took a trip down memory lane. 

Unfortunately they only managed to get through HALF of the recording and Brian suggested that another gathering should happen in the future to hear the 2nd half of this amazing recording. 

On the day, guests were asked to make a donation at the door. We were very honoured when Brian announced that all the entry proceeds would be donated to ALVA. It always amazes this committee when members of our community take the time to do their bit to help ALVA help others. On behalf of all those that ALVA helps, we say thank you Brian and all those who attended on the day.

Check out this lovely photo with Pat Scroope, Honorary ALVA Bloke Marty Morton and Brian himself. 

VALE LILY CONNERS 1931 – 2018

It is with great sadness that we notify the ALVA Membership of the passing of Lily Conners. Lily was born in Cessnock in 1931. At Age 11 she discovered she could yodel and won a heat of Australia’s Amateur Hour. In  1946 she went on to sin the Radio 2KY competition which led her to perform in may variety shows touring the country.

In 1948, Lily her mother and sister Bonnie travel to America to visit her mother’s family. Whilst she was there, Lily got her own half hour show on KFI Television in Los Angles billed as “The Girl From Australia”. She then joined a government sponsored touring show called “Nations in Review” representing Australia. She was offered a Hollywood 5 year starlet contract but turned it down because she felt she would be controlled too much by the studio.

In 1950, Lily returned to Australia and was soon a regular on shows organised by Ted Quigg and Tim McNamara. It was her version of “Chime Bells” that became her signature song. Lily was a regular on the 2GB radion program “Bonnington’s Bunkhouse” for 5 years, and she was a frequent guest on Bandstand and Reg Lindsay’s Country Television Program.

In 1962, she gave birth to her son Alan and it was here that she slowly cut back on her performing career. In 1972, she embarked on a short tour with Slim Dusty and it was to be her last major performance. In 1978, she was inducted into the “Hands of Fame” in Tamworth

She peacefully passed away on Wednesday 10th October, 2018, age 87. The details about her funeral will be passed on by Judy Stone at a later date. These details will be sent via email.

Special Guest: Jennifer Murphy 

Beginning her career in the 70’s with a passion for teaching and the performing arts, Jennifer has combined roles of performer, artistic director and educator. As cabaret and club performer in Sydney clubs, she auditioned at 8 months pregnant, and won, the role of Evita in Australia’s premiere blockbuster music theatre production with a fairy tale rise to the top of her game. She has worked as vocal & performance coach/director for TV, film and stage productions and with husband musical director Spud Murphy, Jennifer has been instrumental in creating opportunities in music theatre for many young performers. Until recently Jennifer was Head of Music Theatre at the Australian Institute of Music AIM for many years and is now directing, teaching and enjoying the birth of their 1st grandchild
She is an amazing, trailblazing Woman in Entertainment with many a story to tell of the adventures along the way – today’s ALVA event is a rare opportunity not to be missed as we hear up close and personal these stories and more as she chats to President Susie about her life as a performer and what she has been up to recently.

Monday 29th October 2018

Cammeray Golf Club   

(Park Ave, Cremorne NSW 2090. (02) 9953 1522)

Arrival: 10.30am for 11am Meeting

(Friends & Associates may arrive at Noon)  

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT:  $40  by midnight Thursday 25th October 2018  

FULL PRICE:  $45   thereafter.

This is our nomination luncheon for the 2019 ALVA Committee. So if you are interested in being on the committee but are unable to attend, then please contact Kerri on bookings@alva.org.au  

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