Gwen Plumb

Gwendoline Plumb
Born	Gwendoline Jean Plumb (1912-08-02) 2 August 1912 Australia
Died	5 June 2002(2002-06-05) (aged 89) Kirribilli, Australia
Occupation(s)	Entertainer, comedian, actress, radio producer, scriptwriter
Years active	1930–1990s
Known for	The Young Doctors (Ada Simmonds), Richmond Hill (Mum Foote), Home and Away (Doris Peters)

Gwendoline Jean Plumb AM BEM (2 August 1912 – 5 June 2002) was a distinguished Australian entertainer and comedian whose career spanned 65 years, encompassing revue, pantomime, vaudeville, radio production, scriptwriting, and television. Often hailed as the "Grand Dame of Australian entertainment," she earned international acclaim for her performances in serials such as The Young Doctors (portraying Ada Simmonds), Richmond Hill (as Mum Foote), and the pilot episode of Home and Away (playing Doris Peters).

Her comprehensive career is chronicled in her 1994 memoir, Plumb Crazy.

Early years

Born in 1912, Plumb initially held various positions including typist and shop assistant before transitioning into radio advertising copywriting, which ultimately ignited her passion for acting.

Radio and theatre

Plumb’s performing journey commenced in 1930 with the Gwen Meredith Chelsea drama club. She became well-known for her role as Emmie in Blue Hills, Australia's longest-running radio serial. Beyond acting, she was active as a radio producer and scriptwriter. Between 1945 and 1974, she hosted a long-standing program on the Macquarie Radio Network, conducting interviews with celebrities, including recordings made internationally throughout Europe.

In theatre, Plumb participated in the inaugural season of the Old Tote Theatre Company and engaged in nearly every form of public entertainment except circus.

Television

Plumb featured in early Australian television drama such as Adventure Unlimited.

Her most notable television role was Ada Simmonds in the soap opera The Young Doctors, appearing consistently from November 1976 until March 1983. In 1980, she published a cookbook titled What's Cooking with Ada, attributed to her character’s name. Additional significant roles included appearances in the mid-1980s mini-series The Harp in the South and Poor Man's Orange. In 1985, she portrayed Mrs. Forbes on Neighbours, acting alongside Alan Dale, who had also starred with her on The Young Doctors.

In 1988, Plumb took on the role of Mum Foote in the series Richmond Hill, a character created specifically for her by Reg Watson. Although she appeared in the pilot of Home and Away as Doris Peters, she chose to remain with Richmond Hill, which aired for one year. She later returned to Home and Away in 1995 portraying a different character.

She also appeared in the mini-series Stark, adapted from Ben Elton’s novel.

Personal life

Plumb’s lifelong companion was Australian actress Thelma Scott, recognized for her role as Clair Houghton in the series Number 96.

Her autobiography, entitled Plumb Crazy, was released by Pan Macmillan in 1994.

In 1990, Plumb underwent surgery to remove a sizable growth from her colon and lower bowel. Although she resumed rehearsals for Arsenic and Old Lace two months later, full recovery eluded her. She sustained a fractured pelvis in April 1996.

Gwendoline Plumb passed away at her Kirribilli residence on 5 June 2002 at the age of 89.

British and Australian honours

In recognition of her extensive work in community service and charitable activities, Plumb was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1973 and later designated as a Member of the Order of Australia in 1993.

Selected radio

Year	Title	Role
c.1940s	Blue Hills	Emmie
1945–1974	Macquarie Radio Network	Presenter as herself
unknown years	2GB Radio Show with Gordon Chater	Hostess/interviewer

Film

Year	Title	Role	Type
1960	The Sundowners	Uncredited	Feature film
1982	Ginger Meggs	Miss Leach	Feature film

Television

  |1991–1997   | Various appearances including shows such as The Seven-Thirty Report, In Sydney Today, and Where Are They Now? among others   >Guest and recurring roles   >Various television formats

Year	Title	Role	Type
1958–1963	Women's World	Host	TV series
1959	A Tongue of Silver	Role unspecified	Teleplay
1960	Venus Observed	Role unspecified	Teleplay
1961	Corinth House	Mrs. Heysham	Teleplay
1962	Consider Your Verdict	Guest appearance	TV series, single episode
1962	Jonah	Guest appearance: Lady Jane Franklin	TV series, single episode
1965	Write Me a Murder	Elizabeth Wooley	TV film
1965	Adventure Unlimited	Guest appearance	TV series, single episode "Crocodile"
1965	The Mavis Bramston Show	Various characters	TV series
1965	TV Spells Magic	Guest performer alongside prominent Australian actors	TV special
1966	Wall to Wall	Role unspecified	Teleplay
1966	Australian Playhouse	Guest roles: Mrs. Cooper / Elsie Hopewell	TV series, two episodes "The Prowler"
1966–1967	Nice 'n Juicy	Guest role: Mrs. Withers	TV series, two episodes
1969	The Don Lane Show	Guest	TV series, single episode
1969	Gwennie and Noel	Host	TV series
1970	The Rovers	Guest role: Gaylene Higgins	TV series, single episode
1973	Boney	Guest role: Miss Packer	TV series, single episode
1974	Mac and Merle	Lead role: Merle McInerney	TV pilot
1975	Celebrity Squares	Herself	TV series, single episode
1976	This Is Your Life	Herself	TV series, single episode
1976–1982	The Young Doctors	Regular character: Ada Simmons	TV series, 1394 episodes
1977	Bobby Dazzler	Guest role: Dinner Guest 1	TV series, single episode
1978–1984	The Mike Walsh Show	Multiple guest appearances (6 episodes)	TV series
1980	Telethon '80	Herself	TV special
1981	Parkinson in Australia	Guest	TV series, single episode
1981	Go Health	Herself alongside Young Doctors cast	TV series, single episode
1982	The Daryl Somers Show	Guest	TV series, single episode
1985	Neighbours	Recurring guest role: List of Neighbours characters (1985)#Mrs. Forbes	TV series, ten episodes
1985	The Man in the Iron Mask	Peronne (voice)	Animated television film
1986	A Halo for Athuan	Lead role: Mother Paul	Television film
1987	The Harp in the South, Poor Man's Orange	Recurring character: Grandma Kilker	Television miniseries, multiple episodes
1987	I've Come About the Suicide	Supporting character: Miss Clemesha	Television film
1987	The Flying Doctors	Guest role: Nellie Keene	TV series, single episode
1988–1989	Richmond Hill, Home and Away	Regular and guest appearances: Mum Foote / Doris Peters / Elizabeth Clarke   | TV series, multiple episodes