Goodie Reeve

Goodie Reeve
Goodie Reeve
Born	1897; Warwick Garden, London, England
Died	1978-12-04
Occupation(s)	Actor, singer, songwriter, radio presenter, critic, columnist
Years active	1916–1972
Known for	"First Lady of Sydney Radio"

Goodie Reeve (1897 – 4 December 1978) was an actor, singer, songwriter, radio presenter, critic, and columnist originally from Britain who rose to fame in Australia, earning the distinction of being called the "First Lady of Sydney Radio."

Early life

Lillian Mary Hazlewood, known professionally as Goodie Reeve, was born in Warwick Garden, London. She was the second daughter of celebrated comedic actress Ada Reeve and actor Bert Gilbert (Joseph Gilbert Hazlewood). Her sister, Bessie Hazlewood, also pursued acting before transitioning to work as a chauffeur in Sydney.

On her mother's side, her grandparents Charles Reeve and Harriet Saunders were actors; notably, Charles participated in the original vigilance committee formed to capture Jack the Ripper. Her father's lineage included Henry Hazlewood, an actor and theatre manager, and her great-grandfather was the playwright Colin Henry Hazlewood. After her parents divorced, her mother remarried Wilfred Cotton, which made Goodie a step-cousin to actress Lily Elsie.

Both parents toured widely with their theatrical performances and occasionally took Goodie and Bessie with them on tours to Australia in 1898 and Southern Africa in 1912.

Education

Initially trained in violin, Reeve later shifted her focus to piano. Because of her parents’ itinerant lifestyle, she began formal schooling at age ten. Her education started at a convent where she learned French, followed by attendance at schools in Shropshire and Bonn, Germany, where she studied music and languages until fleeing due to the outbreak of World War I.

Upon returning to England, she enrolled at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and pursued a career in musical comedy similar to that of her parents. In 1916, she appeared in the successful production The Better 'Ole at London's Oxford Music Hall, starting in a supporting role before assuming the lead female character "Victorine". The Times commended her for enhancing the show's musical and dance elements.

Australia

In 1917, Reeve traveled to Australia to star as Victorine in the local staging of The Better 'Ole. Early press coverage often highlighted her mother Ada Reeve’s fame, with critics drawing comparisons between them but acknowledging Goodie’s unique appeal. Her promoters capitalized on this by marketing her as "Famous Ada Reeve's Fascinating Daughter."

After the conclusion of The Better 'Ole in 1919, Reeve embarked on solo performances across the Tivoli circuit, showcasing her singing and piano skills. This included a tour of New Zealand during 1927/28. Additionally, she took on publicity roles for the theatre company J. C. Williamson's.

Writing

In the early 1920s, Reeve expanded into theatre criticism for publications such as The Referee and Arrow, later becoming editor of Theatre Magazine. Her writing covered a range of subjects including women’s issues and educational topics within Australia.

Blending her musical talent with writing, she produced Auntie Goodie's Bedtime Story Songs in 1924—an album featuring original children’s songs like "Come To My Island" and "It's Lullaby".

Following this project, Reeve created Sydney’s inaugural radio musical advertisements, notably composing the memorable jingle "Eat Your Uncle Toby's Every Day". She also penned and performed "Here Comes Amy" to honor aviator Amy Johnson during her official welcome ceremony in Sydney in 1930.

Radio

Reeve embarked on a 46-year journey in radio broadcasting starting in Sydney in 1926, collaborating with various stations including 2BL, 2FC, 2GB, 2CH, 2SM, and 2UE. Her charismatic presence and inventive programming quickly established her as "one of the finest female announcers on the air," drawing a substantial listenership.

Her early work featured children's shows such as Children's Session, Chickabiddies, and Tiny Tots, where she frequently performed original songs and stories live on air. She later engaged writers like Kylie Tennant to create plays for her programs. Among her notable contributions was the debut of the famous Aeroplane Jelly jingle during one of her broadcasts.

Reeve’s strong connection with young audiences earned her the affectionate moniker "Auntie Goodie," which she used effectively in a 1930 Christmas broadcast on 2GB urging gratitude amid economic hardship.

Broadening her scope beyond children’s content, Reeve presented programs aimed at women’s interests and general entertainment. These included Auntie Goodie's Good Deeds, which showcased kindness stories submitted by listeners, and Behind the scenes at Hollywood on 2FC, where actors—among them her father Bert Gilbert—offered insights into their careers.

In this capacity, she unintentionally conducted ABC’s first interview when a visiting actor froze on air, prompting her to ask guiding questions.

In 1937, Reeve introduced For Men Only on 2GB, a show inviting male listeners to share personal challenges such as marital difficulties and unemployment. She read these letters aloud, provided counsel, and helped coordinate assistance.

During the 1930s, her widespread acclaim led to her being described as "perhaps the greatest favourite in the air in Australia to-day," with fan mail arriving simply addressed to "Goodie Reeve, Sydney." Nevertheless, this level of fame also brought difficulties including death threats and harmful gifts.

Following World War II, Reeve hosted the acclaimed 2GB programme Session for the Blind, which featured blind musicians and focused on supporting blind veterans. Critics commended her quiet dedication and the positive influence she exerted through this initiative.

Personal life

Characterized by "a pale complexion, experienced grey eyes, and lips that seem to express ideas rather than words," Reeve maintained a distant relationship with her mother, who appeared to prioritize work over family life. They did not see each other during the final 37 years of Ada's life, although Reeve paid tribute to her mother during an episode of This is your life.

In 1926 she faced serious illness and by 1929 had undergone twenty operations on her head. This health struggle reportedly deepened her "extraordinarily sympathetic nature" and inspired her continuous charitable efforts, especially for the Royal Society for the Blind.

Marriages

Reeve was married three times:

First marriage was to Dr Reg McGillicuddy, a physician and former Australian rules football player with the Victorian Football League club University. They wed at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne on 5 December 1919. She abruptly left the Sydney production of My Lady Frayle to marry McGillicuddy, who passed away in Cunnamulla in 1922 at age 30. The couple had one daughter named Patricia Mary "Yuki". After his death, Reeve returned to Sydney where Yuki attended Normanhurst Convent.

Second marriage occurred on 22 October 1932 at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney when she married Walter Geoffrey Martin, an executive with Amalgamated Wireless. The wedding attracted up to 400 admirers, reflecting Reeve’s significant popularity. She took a year-long hiatus from radio but remained one of Australia’s leading radio personalities. Martin left her within three months of their marriage.

Third marriage was to Australian Army Major Paul Frederick Dawson on 21 October 1946. Dawson had been severely wounded during World War II and died less than a month after their wedding. The marriage took place only three hours after Reeve’s divorce from Martin was finalized, causing legal complications regarding its validity. Australian law prohibited remarriage within 21 days following a decree nisi; consequently, the court deemed their marriage invalid.

Despite this ruling, Reeve inherited Dawson’s estate valued at £258 (approximately AUD 516 in 2022) as sole beneficiary. She continued to use the name "Mrs Dawson" thereafter.

Earlier reports from 1919 mentioned an engagement to British humorist Bruce Bairnsfather; however, his illness prevented their union.

Retirement

Following her departure from the radio industry in 1972, Reeve moved to Queensland. She died at the age of 80 on 4 December 1978 while residing in a nursing facility in Springfield. Her legacy was carried on by her daughter and two grandchildren.

Sources

Clark, N. (2022) A dog for the job, Inspiring Publishers: Canberra. .
Fisher, C. (2021) Sound Citizens: Australian Women Broadcasters Claim their Voice, 1923–1956, ANU Press: Canberra. .
Griffen-Foley, B. (2020) Australian Radio Listeners and Television Viewers, Palgrave MacMillan: Sydney. .
Ledger, E. (1915) The Era Annual, Open Court: London.
National Board of Review of Motion Pictures (1979) Films in Review, vol. 30, National Board of Review of Motion Pictures: Washington, US.
Snell, K. (1991) Australian Popular Music Composer Index, Quick Trick Press: Melbourne. .