A
passion she cannot do without, by Clara Iaccarinot
- 26th January 2007
(Credit:
The Sydney Morning Herald)
Among
the young arty types on screen and behind the cameras
of the Tropfest short film competition, Joy Hruby's
films cannot help but stand out.
"I
put a film in every year featuring people of an average
age of 70," Mrs Hruby says. "The organisers
think it's funny because it's all young people who
put in entries."
She
proudly points out that at 79 she is again the oldest
entrant in the annual competition. This year is her
third year entering a film, but she has appeared in
others in previous years.
After
more than half a century of involvement in the arts
and entertainment industry, Mrs Hruby has been recognised
with a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the
general division.
As
well as her filmmaking forays, Mrs Hruby is a stalwart
of community television. She has a studio at home,
where she films and edits Joy's World, 1000 episodes
of which have screened on TVS, channel 31, since 1989.
Mrs
Hruby started Studio J actors' agency in 1969, now
run by Jan Vassella. She has published a book, Dubbo
Dazzlers, about her time entertaining soldiers in
World War II and is adapting the story for a television
series.
Her
passion for the entertainment industry influenced
her children's career paths. Her daughter Anna is
an actor who first appeared as Nell in Seven Little
Australians, her son, Frank, is a focus puller and
worked on Mission: Impossible II and The Thin Red
Line, and her daughter Janette is a former film location
caterer. Her late husband, Denny, was a professional
pianist.
"I
can't believe it," Mrs Hruby said of her award.
"How can they reward someone for doing something
she loves doing? I've had a fantastic life. I love
working with people."
Profiles
Joy
Hruby
Channel
31
Tropfest
Social
and Community Entrepreneurs
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