Australian screen legend Cliff Green dies aged 85: Writer of Picnic at Hanging Rock, The Flying Doctors and Blue Heelers passes away following a long illness
Cliff Green, one of Australia's most celebrated screenwriters, has died at the age of 85 after a long illness.
The TV and film legend, whose credits include Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975), The Flying Doctors (1986) and Blue Heelers (1994), passed away on Friday, December 4.
He was remembered this week by former Australian Writers' Guild president Mac Gudgeon as a talented screenwriter who 'entertained and moved' with his art.
Rest in peace: Cliff Green, one of Australia's most celebrated screenwriters, has died at the age of 85 after a long illness
During his decades in the industry, Cliff worked on shows such as Matlock, Power Without Glory, I Can Jump Puddles, Boy Soldiers and Homicide.
But it was the film Picnic at Hanging Rock, about a group of schoolgirls and their teacher who mysteriously go missing in rural Victoria, which earned him international acclaim.
He adapted the movie from the 1967 novel of the same name by Joan Lindsay.
The Emmy-nominated writer was also in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in June 2009, and was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his services to the Australian film and television industry as a screenwriter and educator.
'He seemed to be able to write any genre and his early working years as a country school teacher and his love for Australian writers, especially Henry Lawson, and our vernacular, gave the myriad of characters he created over decades of writing an authenticity,' said Mr Gudgeon.
Classic: The film Picnic at Hanging Rock, about a group of schoolgirls and their teacher who mysteriously go missing in rural Victoria, earned Cliff international acclaim
He added that Cliff's 'strength in unity' and his battle for writers' rights made him an asset to the industry.
'Though small in stature with a boyish face, those who knew him remember what a warrior he was when it came to advocating for writers and the Australian voice,' he Mr Gudgeon said.
'It's a voice that shone through in his writing.'
Cliff is survived by his wife, Judy, their children and extended families. His life and career will be commemorated at the next AWGIE Awards.
Critical acclaim: Picnic at Hanging Rock is considered a classic of Australian cinema
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