Play School presenter Donald Macdonald dies at 86
Remembered as one of the original presenters when Play School launched in 1966, the Sydney-born actor died following a battle with cancer surrounded by family.
Journalist Craig Bennett shared the news on Monday, penning a heartfelt tribute to 'a true gentleman'.
'One of our showbiz greats left us at 12:45am today,' the post said.
'Donald Macdonald was a stalwart of stage and screen, who'd written smash hit plays like Caravan, dazzled on London's West End, and delighted millions over the decades with his starring turns on TV series like Play School where he was a presenter from 1966 to 1969.'
Spending his final days with his 'cherished' cousins Paula Duncan and Amelia Barrett, Bennett said Macdonald faced the cancer with 'copious good humour'.
'On Saturday we turned his hospital room into a party, laughs and smiles a-plenty, as Donald enjoyed some bubbly and lemon meringue pie!' Bennett wrote.
'Blue was always his colour, even in a hospital gown!'
Macdonald's career spanned more than 40 years, with credits including appearances on popular Australian TV shows such as Certain Women, The Box, Rake, Cop Shop, and Skyways.
He also featured in the cult film Alvin Purple and made a cameo in Superman Returns.
A highly regarded figure in the arts, Macdonald became an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1991 for his leadership as general manager of the Australian Opera.
In 2006, he was recognised as a Companion of the Order of Australia for his outstanding impact on national life and the creative industries, including his work in public broadcasting.
Fans remembered Macdonald as a 'lovely gentleman', posting condolences under the tribute.
'A very good man … was honoured to be part of the first national tour of Caravan. Some wonderful memories. Sending love to you all,' one fan commented.
'Thank you, Craig for letting us all know. A sad day for those Left Behind who loved this dear gentleman. It's beautiful Craig how you honour people that need to be honoured and reminds all of us of their rich and incredible life. May he rest in peace.' another added.
'We were VERY LUCKY to meet Donald through you both, get to know him, and be entertained by his lovely demeanour, sharp wit and of course his writing skills. What a lovely, gentleman.'
Originally published as 'Dapper Delight': Acting great Donald Macdonald dies after cancer battle
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
36 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
‘Wrong person': Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino reinstated to represent at art show following dismissal for 'controversial' work
Creative Australia acting chairman Wesley Enoch has issued a public apology to reinstated artists Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino after they were dropped from representing Australia at the 61st Venice Biennale in February. The pair were dumped as the nation's artists in February just five days after being selected to represent, after Mr Sabsabi's previous works resurfaced, including a depiction of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and a video of 9/11 featuring President George W. Bush saying, 'thank you very much.' The decision to restore the artists came after Creative Australia, the nation's official arts council, found 'a series of missteps, assumptions and missed opportunities,' had contributed to the decision to drop them from the art show in February. Appearing on ABC RN on Thursday morning, Mr Enoch said the artists suffered an immense amount of 'hurt and pain' from the sacking. 'To Khaled and Michael – I've done it in person but to say it here very publicly – I want to apologise to them for the hurt and pain they've gone through in this process,' he said. 'Though we will be stronger as a sector because of it, I know it's come at a personal cost, not just to them, but also to a whole range of people in the arts sector.' Mr Sabsabi, a Lebanese Australian artist, and Mr Dagostino shared their 'deepest and heartfelt thanks' for the decision. 'This decision has renewed our confidence in Creative Australia and in the integrity of its selection process,' they said. Arts Minister Tony Burke backed the decision to restore the sacked artists, and said evidence showed the art did the 'exact opposite of something that could be seen to promote terrorism.' 'The report has shown that these works have not been regarded in any way as promoting those involved with terrorism – the artist has made the same thing clear,' he said. 'It makes complete sense that Creative Australia have recommissioned Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino. Their decision has my full support.' Appearing on ABC RN on Thursday morning, shadow arts minister Julian Leeser slammed the decision, and said Mr Sabsabi was the 'wrong person' to be representing Australia. 'When an artist has a history of presenting terrorist leaders like Hassan Nasrallah… I think particularly at this time this is the wrong person to be representing our country,' he said. 'Particularly given the tensions in Australia and the declining level of social cohesion and the anti-Semitism crisis that we've faced in this country.' Mr Leeser said the arts minister has some 'serious questions' to answer regarding Creative Australia's credibility. 'This has been a deeply flawed process from the beginning and has now led to a ridiculous outcome,' he said. 'It diminished the power of Australian art as a tool of soft diplomacy.'
The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
The blue-haired man from the moon celebrated for 40 years on television
The squiggle lives. For 40 years Norman Hetherington was known for his creation, Mr Squiggle, a blue-haired man from the moon who used his pencil nose to turn a child's squiggle into a giggle. From 1959 to 1999 on ABC television, Mr Squiggle, a puppet made, voiced and operated by Hetherington, transformed 10,000 children's drawings into what they saw as masterpieces. 'It's a duck that wants to be a ballet dancer,' he said of one. Very often they were drawn upside down. Now the next generation can have a squiggle. A new exhibition, Mr Squiggle and Friends, The Creative World of Norman Hetherington opening at the National Museum of Australia on Friday includes an interactive screen where a new generation can turn an original squiggle into a drawing of their own. It includes nearly 300 objects from the Hetherington collection of more than 800 items, including hundreds of puppets, and was curated by museum deputy director Dr Sophie Jensen. Jensen said that as a unique piece of Australian history, it was hard to imagine another television program that had touched as many people as Mr Squiggle. 'It doesn't matter who you talk to,' she said, someone will have been on the show, watched it or knew someone who was on it. 'It's part of its magic. You only get that with a show that was on the air for 40 years, that covers generations. And 1959 to 1999 was a pretty remarkable stretch in Australian life.
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
The blue-haired man from the moon celebrated for 40 years on television
The squiggle lives. For 40 years Norman Hetherington was known for his creation, Mr Squiggle, a blue-haired man from the moon who used his pencil nose to turn a child's squiggle into a giggle. From 1959 to 1999 on ABC television, Mr Squiggle, a puppet made, voiced and operated by Hetherington, transformed 10,000 children's drawings into what they saw as masterpieces. 'It's a duck that wants to be a ballet dancer,' he said of one. Very often they were drawn upside down. Now the next generation can have a squiggle. A new exhibition, Mr Squiggle and Friends, The Creative World of Norman Hetherington opening at the National Museum of Australia on Friday includes an interactive screen where a new generation can turn an original squiggle into a drawing of their own. It includes nearly 300 objects from the Hetherington collection of more than 800 items, including hundreds of puppets, and was curated by museum deputy director Dr Sophie Jensen. Jensen said that as a unique piece of Australian history, it was hard to imagine another television program that had touched as many people as Mr Squiggle. 'It doesn't matter who you talk to,' she said, someone will have been on the show, watched it or knew someone who was on it. 'It's part of its magic. You only get that with a show that was on the air for 40 years, that covers generations. And 1959 to 1999 was a pretty remarkable stretch in Australian life.
