Terry Norris and Julia Blake.
Julia Blake and Terry Norris last night received the 2018 Equity Lifetime Achievement Award at a ceremony at the Arts Centre Melbourne.
The award presented by Foxtel recognises the couple’s careers spanning more than five decades and their support of Equity campaigns, particularly the battle for Australian stories on screens and stages.
Previous recipients include Peter Carroll, the late Bob Hornery, Maggie Dence, Ron Haddrick, Jill Perryman, Kevan Johnston, Toni Lamond, Grant Page, Anne Phelan and Noeline Brown.
Equity president Chloe Dallimore described the husband and wife duo as an incredibly popular choice among Equity voters, stating: “Julia and Terry are deeply respected luminaries in our industry. What shines through most is their unswerving commitment to support others, especially our younger performers.
“Their tireless lobbying and campaigning efforts means that many of the working conditions we enjoy today are thanks to their hard work. We so look forward to celebrating their careers and contribution to our industry”.
Norris began as a stage actor in English repertory, where he met and fall in love with Blake, and is perhaps best known for his TV roles in Bellbird and Cop Shop. For 10 years he served as a member of the Victorian Labour government.
His film credits include Romulus, My Father, Paper Planes, Looking for Grace and The Dressmaker. In the past year he appeared in Mirrah Foulkes’ directorial debut Judy and Punch, Mortal Engines with Hugo Weaving, Jack Irish and Romper Stomper.
Blake trained at the Bristol Old Vic and moved to Australia with her husband in the 1960s. She starred in six Paul Cox movies including Innocence with Norris.
Her accolades include AFI awards for Eden’s Lost and Father and nominations for Travelling North, Innocence and The Boys are Back. Among her film credits are Dance Academy: The Movie, Last Dance, A Month of Sundays, Looking for Grace and The Dressmaker.
Foxtel’s executive director of TV Brian Walsh said: “The incredible body of work from both of these talented and versatile performers on stage, film and television is an excellent example of our robust and vibrant industry.”