Gordon Piper

Gordon Stephen Piper (3 June 1932 – 18 September 2004) was an Australian actor, theatre director, scriptwriter and comedian active in all facets of the industry including radio, stage, television (including soap opera and TV movies) and film. He remains best known as plumber Bob Hatfield in A Country Practice.

Early life Piper was born on 3 June 1932, son of Mildred Nelly (née Johnson) and Clive Reginald Piper on their dairy farm in the Sydney suburb of Cheltenham. He began performing as a child, singing soprano for the Sydney Boys' Choir and making his radio debut with a choir on 2FC.

Acting career Piper began his professional career acting in radio plays, and later branched out to touring variety acts which toured local pubs and clubs. He worked as a television extra for several years, before taking to the stage for a theatre career. Notable roles in the 1970s included a long-running stint in the play Dimboola, and a role as a bartender in the film My Brilliant Career.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Type 1971 Wake in Fright Two-up Player (uncredited) Feature film 1972 Private Collection First Removalist Feature film 1978 Puzzle Policeman in House TV movie 1979 My Brilliant Career Barman Feature film 1982 The Dark Room Police Sargeant Feature film 1986 Hector's Bunyip Jack Benson TV movie

Television Year Title Role Type 1971 Division 4 John Hardin TV series 1971 Dynasty (aka Tony Morphett's Dynasty) Warder TV series 197- The Comedy Game Pub Customer TV series 1972 Boney Sergeant TV series 1971–73 Spyforce Prison Sergeant (uncredited) / Eric the Grave Digger (uncredited) TV series 1976 Number 96 Detective Sergeant TV series, 2 episodes 1978 Case for the Defence Moncheiff TV series 1977–79 Chopper Squad Port Officer / The Detective TV series 1981–92 A Country Practice Robert Menzies 'Bob' Hatfield TV series, 745 episodes