Kaarin Fairfax

Kaarin Louise Fairfax (born 30 September 1959) is an Australian actress, director and singer who played the role of Dolour Darcy in two TV miniseries, The Harp in the South and its sequel Poor Man's Orange (1987), based on books of the same names by Ruth Park.

Early life Fairfax grew up in the theatre, with her father, George Fairfax acting in and directing shows at Melbourne's Little Theatre (now known as St Martins Youth Theatre), during which time she developed a passion for acting and the arts.

Career

Acting Fairfax acted in several Australian television series throughout the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

She appeared in the Australian sitcom Col'n Carpenter, a spin-off from The Comedy Company, after Vikki Blanche left the series. She starred in the Rachel Perkins 2001 short film One Night the Moon alongside her husband at the time, Paul Kelly – a story of racial prejudice in the outback. She also played the role of Deb Mathieson on Australian Broadcasting Corporation TV series, Bed of Roses (2008, 2010).

Fairfax has worked as both actor and director in Australian theatre. By 2008, Fairfax had established The Little Theatre Company in Frankston, Victoria, in honour of her father George Fairfax. Fairfax directed the musical Frankston Lights in January 2009, which included songs co-written by her children (Madeleine and Memphis) and Robert McHugh. Kaarin has been working extensively since that time, joining forces with Sally Baillieu and directing The Wetlands Project, One Last Chance, performed in the Wetlands at Tootgarook. In January 2012 she directed Good People for Red Stitch Actors Theatre.

In 2015, Fairfax co-starred in the film StalkHer alongside John Jarratt.

Music Fairfax was a vocalist for Wild Blue Yonder, a Sydney-based band from 1985 which had a varied line-up but had no known recordings. In the late 1970s she was part of a comedy vocal trio The Droolettes which also included Gina Riley and Gina Mendoza, with Geoff O'Connell on piano. During 1989–1991 she supplied backing vocals on tracks by Paul Kelly & the Messengers.

In 1990, under the name, Mary-Jo Starr, she released three singles and an album, Too Many Movies. and appeared on the Breaking Ground - New Directions in Country Music compilation which was also nominated for Best Country Album. She joined Truckasaurus in 1993, a Melbourne-based Grungey/country band which released Truckasaurus in October.

Together with Sally Baillieu, Fairfax runs The Lineup at Frankston Arts Centre Cube37, a musical mentorship program for young emerging artists. Madeleine and Memphis, together with band member Sam Humphrey, record under the band name Wishful. Their first EP, Fifty Days was produced by their father Paul Kelly. Fairfax and Baillieu also have an arts program on 3RPP Radio Port Phillip on the Mornington Peninsula, called Arts About.

Personal life Fairfax is the former wife of Australian musician Paul Kelly—they met in 1988. Their two children are Madeleine (born 1991) and Memphis (born 1993). Memphis appeared with her parents in short film, One Night the Moon. The couple separated not long after the film's release.

Director

Discography Albums Year Title Artist Details 1990Too Many Movies Mary-Jo Starr Label: Mushroom Records (D30224) Format: Vinyl, CD

Singles Year Title Artist Album 1989 "Kissing in a Taxi" Mary-Jo Starr Too Many Movies 1990 "Passionate Kisses" Mary-Jo Starr "Lonesome, Lovely & Alone" Mary-Jo Starr 1989 "Killer in Me" StalkHer film soundtrack

Awards & nominations Film & TV Ref. 1987 Belinda AFI Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role 1988 Poor Man's Orange AFI Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries 2002 Uncle Bob Green Room Award for Outstanding Direction 2011

2012 2018 The Greta Fragments Top Indie Film Award for Best Writing Music Ref. 1991 Too Many Movies ARIA Award for Best New Talent