Draft:Paul Mahoney

Paul Mahoney

Paul Mahoney was born in Shepparton in 1968. He is the son of Robert and Ruth Mahoney and youngest brother to Stephen, Christopher and Michelle (deceased). He attended Shepparton High School from years 7-10 and Kyabram High School for years 11- 12.

Paul is best known for writing the inspirational dramedy feature Ruby's Choice, starring two-time Golden Globe Winner Jane Seymour along with two-time Silver Logie Winner Jacqueline McKenzie, Coco Jack Gillies, Stephen Hunter, Brendan Donoghue, Rory Potter, Sam Rechner, Kate Ryerson and Director Michael Budd. Ruby’s Choice was played in over 100 cinemas in Australia, including Bendigo, Kyabram and Shepparton, where Paul lived and attended school/university. The film also went on to win the 2021 Australian Screen Industry Network.

Ruby’s Choice Synopsis: After being forced to share her room with her dementia-suffering grandmother, a teenage girl goes from initially hating Ruby to becoming her fiercest advocate as she uncovers family secrets and gains a new understanding of her.

As a result of Ruby's Choice and the close working relationship he established with the Dementia Foundation Paul was named as a Global Ambassador for Dementia Foundation's Spark of Life program. Jane Seymour was also named as an Honorary Global Ambassador.

Paul has won several screenwriting awards, including the 2016 Euroscript Screenwriting Award for the romantic comedy Elvis Town, 2017 Faith & Family Script Showcase for the animation feature New to the Zoo , 2017 First 10 pages Script Competition for the animation feature Galaxxon – Peace of the Planets , and as co-writer with Oscar-nominated Producer Rosemary Marks , for the 2021 Pasadena Film Festival best feature screenplay for Do It Scared.

Paul is also known for helping to save the life of Erika Freingruber, an 80 year-old woman who fell and broke her hip at her Beaudesert home during the 2020 covid crisis. She remained undiscovered for four days until Paul alerted the authorities and asked them to do a welfare check. He was later awarded a certificate of appreciation from the Queensland Premier Anastacia Palaszcuk for his efforts.

Further Citations:
ABC.net.au

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