June Salter

June Marie Salter (22 June 1932 – 15 September 2001) was an Australian actress and author prominent in theatre and television. She is best known for her character roles, in particular as schoolteacher Elizabeth McKenzie in the soap opera The Restless Years and for her regular guest appearances in A Country Practice as Matron Hilda Arrowsmith.

Early life and education June Marie Salter was born on 22 June 1932 in Bexley, New South Wales, the youngest of six children of Arthur Edward Salter (born c. 1887) and his wife Edna Edythe Salter (died 24 July 1969), who married in 1916 and had a home on Henderson Road, Bexley.

Salter attended Kogarah Central Domestic Science Secondary School, where her first stage role was playing Queen Elizabeth in their production of The Tudor Wench. She obtained her New South Wales Intermediate Certificate in 1947.

While working as a typist-receptionist, Salter joined the St George Players, performing at Sydney's St James' Hall (later renamed Mercury Theatre, then Phillip Street Theatre). She also took elocution lessons from Rosalind Kennerdale and her husband Lawrence H. Cecil).

Career

Radio In 1952, largely through Rosalind Kennerdale and Lawrence H. Cecil's influence, Salter began landing acting roles in 2GB's radio serial Night Beat, while continuing her office work part-time.

With the help of fellow actress Queenie Ashton, Salter was accepted onto the books of Central Casting (Ashton's husband John Cover's company) and further radio work followed on serials including Martin's Corner on 2UW, Undercover Carson and Shadows of Doubt on 2GB. Salter was invited to take part in Bill Orr's 1953 production of Hit and Run (the first Phillip Street Revue). She followed this with Hat Trick, opposite Charles Tingwell, Gordon Chater, Bettina Welch, John Ewart, Lyle O'Hara and Ray Barrett. This was followed by a prominent role in Hot from Hollywood starring Mel Tormé and Irene Ryan, then Laugh Around the Clock with Billy Russell and Gordon Chater at Tivoli Theatres in Sydney and Melbourne. and Delia in Bedroom Farce. She also played Sophie in Mother's Day at the Ensemble Theatre for Edgar Metcalfe.

Another notable performance came when Salter teamed with Ruth Cracknell, to play eccentric spinsters in Lettice and Lovage

In 1999, Salter appeared as Ann in The Cocktail Hour at Marian Street Theatre.

Television and film Salter was one of the earliest performers on Australian television, singing "I'm Getting Nothing for Christmas" from the current Phillip Street Revue at the ATN7 studios in December 1956. It was Channel 7's first television broadcast.

However, Salter remains best known for her role as one of the original characters, middle-aged spinster and schoolteacher Elizabeth McKenzie in the soap opera The Restless Years

Salter played Lady Cliquot in the 1981 film Doctors and Nurses, In May of the same year, actor Meillon proposed to Salter and they were married on 21 June 1958 at St James’s Church of England, Sydney. There were years of separation due to the demands of their separate careers. Meillon's problems with alcohol were also a contributing factor.

The relationship ended when Meillon found a new love and the couple divorced in 1971.

1972–1977 Certain Women Frieda Lucas 166 episodes The Evil Touch Louise Carlyle Episode: "The Upper Hand"

Hotel Story Annabelle Lee 1 episode Bluey Lilly Morris Episode: "A Touch of Stardust" Number 96 Meg Robinson 4 episodes The Young Doctors Elizabeth Neilsen 5 episodes 1977–1982 The Restless Years Miss Elizabeth McKenzie 780 episodes 1979 Cop Shop Pauline Clarke 2 episodes

Holiday Island Faye Episode: "The Horse Race" The Sullivans Mamie Spencer 2 episodes

Wilde's Domain Hannah Wilde TV movie Neighbours Bess Robinson 8 episodes The Lancaster Miller Affair Maud Lancaster Miniseries, 3 episodes 1985; 1987; 1989-1990 A Country Practice Matron Hilda Arrowsmith 16 episodes 1986 Butterfly Island 1 episode 1988 Emma: Queen of the South Seas Mrs. Dr. Lane Miniseries, 2 episodes 1989 Rafferty's Rules Diedre Potter Episode: "The Plague" 1990 G.P. Evelyn Anderson Episode: "Thicker Than Water" 1991 Boys from the Bush Sarah Episode: "State and Commonwealth" 1992 The Adventures of Skippy Eleanor Episode: "Skippy and the Orchid" 1995 After the Beep Kath Dillon 7 episodes 1996 G.P. Episode: "The Waiter"

Murder Call Dolly Carlisle Episode: "Short Circuit" All Saints Sister Marguerite Episodes: "Crimes of the Heart" and "Touch and Go"

Farscape Dimensional Being (voice) Episode: "Through the Looking Glass" Time and Tide Dorothy TV movie 2000 Search for Treasure Island Mrs. Silver 8 episodes Television (as self) Year Title Role Type 1975 This Is Your Life Guest Episode: "Andrea" 1978 This Is Your Life Surprise guest 1 episode 1983 The River of Giants Narrator TV documentary

Theatre

Awards and honours Year Work Award Category Result Ref. 1975 Certain Women Penguin Award 1985 Who Killed Hannah Jane? Penguin Award