Neil Curnow is remembered with gratitude in the Adelaide theatrical community as a generous benefactor who has made it possible for promising actors and directors to pursue further studies.
“The Neil Curnow Award is available to final-year students and graduates under the age of 30 who have studied theatre at Flinders University or TAFE SA’s Adelaide College of the Arts. The purpose of the award is to support an emerging artist to undertake further study or career development in acting/theatre performance or direction.
“The award is made possible through the generous bequest of the late Neil Curnow, an extraordinary man of the theatre based in Adelaide. Following his impressive career as an actor, director, teacher and voice coach, Neil made a bequest through the Independent Arts Foundation to support emerging South Australian theatre people through this prestigious award. Valued at up to $7,000 for interstate study and $10,000 for overseas study, the award supports the recipient to undertake further study or an internship at a recognised institution. The award is facilitated by the Helpmann Academy on behalf of the Independent Arts Foundation.” https://www.helpmannacademy.com.au/awards/neil-curnow-award/
The award has been given each year since 2005 and here is what one of the recipients had to say:
“I am so humbled and grateful to be given this incredible opportunity. I am determined to make the most of it and bring back a wealth of knowledge to launch my career forward in South Australia.”
Abbie Johnstone, 2016 Neil Curnow Award winner
Background
Neil Alfred Curnow was born on 2 March 1925 in Ultima, Victoria to Alfred Ernest Curnow and his wife Christina Margaret (née Alford) and as a result was descended from two branches of the Stone family. His father’s mother Mary May was the daughter of Alfred Stone the son of Thomas and Ann Stone. His mother’s mother was Margaret the daughter Joseph Stone who was also the son of Thomas and Ann.
Neil Curnow served in the Royal Australian Air Force as a Flying Officer from June 1943 to October 1945.
In 1949 he was a student resident at Queen’s College in the University of Melbourne and by 1963, according to the Electoral Roll he was living at Flat 7, 210 Albert Street, East Melbourne (just near the north end of the Fitzroy Gardens) and his occupation was given as actor.
In 1962 he starred in a live television drama produced by the ABC called “The Hobby Horse”, the story of rediscovered love in a grazing property in northern NSW. Over the years he has had parts in a variety of TV productions, including “Homicide” in 1965 and “Chuck Finn” in 2000.
