Screen legend Cliff Green, of Picnic at Hanging Rock fame, dies at 85

Cliff Green, one of Australia’s most celebrated screenwriters, has died at the age of 85 after a long illness. 

The TV and film legend, whose credits include Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) The Flying Doctors (1986) and Blue Heelers (1994), passed away on Friday, December 4.

He was remembered this week by former Australian Writers’ Guild president Mac Gudgeon as a talented screenwriter who ‘entertained and moved’ with his art.

During his decades in the industry, Cliff worked on shows such as Matlock, Power Without Glory, I Can Jump Puddles, Boy Soldiers and Homicide.

But it was the mystery film Picnic at Hanging Rock – about a group of schoolgirls and the teacher going missing in rural Victoria – which gained international acclaim.

It was adapted by him from the 1967 novel of the same name by Joan Lindsay. 

Emmy-nominated writer Cliff was also in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June 2009, and was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to the Australian film and television industry as a screenwriter and educator. 

‘He seemed to be able to write any genre and his early working years as a country school teacher and his love for Australian writers, especially Henry Lawson, and our vernacular, gave the myriad of characters he created over decades of writing an authenticity,’ Mac’s statement read. 

Mac added that Cliff’s ‘strength in unity’ and his battle for writers’ rights made him such a brilliant writer’.

‘Though small in stature with a boyish face, those who knew him remember what a warrior he was when it came to advocating for writers and the Australian voice,’ he added.

‘It’s a voice that shone through in his writing.’

He is survived by his wife Judy, their children and extended families.

His life, career and service will be commemorated at the next AWGIE Awards.