John Cundill

John Cundill (1936–2016) was a South African born television scriptwriter, playwright, journalist and actor. He is best known in South Africa as the television scriptwriter for The Villagers and Westgate series. He would later write several screenplays for Australian films and television shows.

Early life Cundill was born on 30 May 1936 in Germiston, South Africa. His father, Algy Cundill was a mine manager at a large mine owned by Gold Fields.

Selected credits Following is a list of his works: The Villagers, 1976–78, (writer) Duet, 1977, (writer) The Chicken Run, 1979, (writer) Oh George!, 1979, (writer) Westgate, 1981, (writer) Westgate II, 1982, (writer) The Earth Mover, 1983, (writer) The Hiding of Black Bill, 1983, (writer) The Outcast, 1983, (co-writer) 1922, 1984, (writer) Two Weeks in Paradise, 1985, (writer) Westgate III, 1985, (co-writer) Jock of the Bushveld, 1986, (writer) The Mantis Project, 1987, (co-writer) John Ross: An African Adventure, 1987, (co-writer) Embassy, 1990, (co-writer) Jackaroo, 1990, (writer) The Angel, the Bicycle and the Chinaman's Finger, 1992, (co-writer) Love in Limbo, 1993, (writer) Secrets, 1993, (co-writer) Ship to Shore, 1993, (co-writer 2 episodes) Heartland, 1994, (co-writer 2 episodes) G.P., 1994, (co-writer 1 episode) Janus, 1995, (co-writer 1 episode) Never Tell Me Never, 1998, (writer) Askari, 2001, (co-writer)

Awards and nominations Three SABC drama awards 1978 winner Olive Schreiner Prize for two short plays – Redundant and Waiting 1991 winner Logie Awards for Jackaroo – Most Popular Telemovie or Mini Series 2008 winner National One Act Playwriting Competition – Audience Choice : Nancy Cato Award for The Eulogy