Gerda Nicolson

Gerda Maureen Nicolson (11 November 1937 – 12 June 1992) was an Australian actress, who worked across all major forms of media, including theatre, television and films, she was best known for several long-running television roles, and was a constant presence on the small screen since the early 60s until her death. Nicholson's roles included the rural series Bellbird police detective series Bluey and soap opera Prisoner.

Early life
Gerda Maureen Nicolson was born in Hobart, Tasmania, and as a child moved to Geelong in Melbourne where her parents were both involved in reportory theatre. In 1959, she travelled to London with her parents and attended many stage performances. She initially studied architecture, but decided instead on a performing career, attaining her dramatic training at the St Martins Theatre, before travelling to London where she worked as a draftsperson.

On returning to Australia in 1961, Gerda joined Melbourne University's Graduate Society and acted in a number of its amateur stage plays. A year later, she was spotted by a director who encouraged her to audition for a stage play, A Woman in a Dressing Gown. Scoring one of the main roles, she joined the ensemble on its tour of Australia and New Zealand. Nicolson later said that the producer awarded her with the role on account of her stunning legs.

Television roles
Nicholson featured in a TV production titled The Proposal and the Bear for ABC TV, although she first reached wider audiences through her regular roles on television serials firstly with Crawford Productions long-running rural series Bellbird as Fiona Daily. After leaving that series she had a regular role in the police detective drama Bluey (1976) opposite Lucky Grills and also featured briefly in The Sullivans (1976) and had a small guest role in Cop Shop, she later in 1989 appeared in a small role in Neighbours as Robyn Taylor, who almost has an affair with Harold Bishop.

Prisoner
She became most widely recognised locally and internationally for her role in the cult soap opera drama series Prisoner (internationally also known as Prisoner: Cell Block H) as Prison Governor Ann Reynolds, joining the cast in 1983 after Patsy King left the series and she assumed the role of the new governor. This was her second role in the show — she had already played a minor guest part as a corrupt officer at another prison in earlier episodes. Nicolson played the role until the series ended in 1986. Prisoner found huge international cult success in the 1990s and 2000s. In 2019, it was announced that Jane Hall would take on the role of Ann Reynolds in the Prisoner reimaging series Wentworth.

Death and legacy
Nicholson collapsed in her dressing room prior to going to stage for theatre performance in Mary Lives! in 1992. Although she was rushed to hospital, but never regained consciousness and died on 12 June. The cause of death was a brain-related haemorrhage. Actress Pat Bishop assumed the role.

Green Room Award: The Gerda Nicolson Award (for an Emerging Actress) was instituted in her name to commemorate her work in Australian theatre, as she is recognised as one of Victoria's finest female actors. This award, protected by The Green Room Awards Association, was presented to the recipient by her widower until his death in 2006. Recipients included; Alison Whyte, Peta Brady and Kat Stewart.

Gerda Nicolson Award for Indigenous female students studying at the Victorian College of the Arts in the areas of performing arts. This award was hosted through the Willan Centre for an undergraduate student.