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Sigrid Thornton

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Sigrid Thornton
Thornton in 2012
Born
Sigrid Madeline Thornton

(1959-02-12) 12 February 1959 (age 65)
Canberra, Australia
Occupation
  • stage and screen actress
Years active1973–present
SpouseTom Burstall (1981–present)
Children2

Sigrid Madeline Thornton AO (born 12 February 1959) is an Australian film and television actress. Her television work includes Prisoner (1979–80), All the Rivers Run (1983), SeaChange (1998–2019) and Wentworth (2016–2018). She also starred in the American Western series Paradise (1988–91). Her film appearances include Snapshot (1979), The Man from Snowy River (1982), Street Hero (1984) and Face to Face (2011). She won the AACTA Award for Best Guest or Supporting Actress in a Television Drama for the 2015 miniseries Peter Allen: Not the Boy Next Door.

Biography

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Early years

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Thornton was born in Canberra, the daughter of Merle, an academic and writer, and Neil Thornton, an academic.[1] She was raised in Brisbane, attending St. Peter's Lutheran College. For two years, she lived in London, where she was a member of the Unicorn Theatre.

Back in Brisbane she attended Twelfth Night Theatre Junior Workshop and in 1970, during the Captain Cook Bicentenary Celebrations, Thornton appeared before Queen Elizabeth II as Rosa Campbell-Praed in Looking Glass on Yesterday.[2] Thornton was a student of noted theatre director, Joan Whalley.

Career

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She acted in TV series Homicide in 1973 and Division 4 in 1975. She also appeared on The Sullivans, as Elizabeth "Buffy" Turnbull.

In 1977, Thornton made her film debut as Wendy in The FJ Holden directed by Michael Thornhill, and in the same year as Maria in the film adaptation of Henry Handel Richardson's colonial Australian novel, The Getting of Wisdom (1977) directed by Bruce Beresford. In 1978, Thornton appeared in the Australian television sequel of the British comedy series Father, Dear Father in Australia and Cop Shop,. The same year she played Angela in the film Snapshot (aka The Day After Halloween) directed by Simon Wincer, for which role she was nominated for Australian Film Awards Best Actress in a Feature Film in 1979.

In 1980, she appeared as Roslyn Coulson in the Australian television drama Prisoner (known overseas as Prisoner: Cell Block H).[3] Thornton starred in 1981 in Duet for Four. In 1982, she took on the roles of Jessica Harrison in the films The Man from Snowy River and its sequel in 1988 The Man from Snowy River II. In 1983, she marked an appearance in Street Hero. She starred in 1983's miniseries All the Rivers Run.[4] 1986 saw her in The Lighthorsemen, the TV adaptation of Nevil Shute's novel The Far Country,[5] Great Expectations: The Untold Story and Slate, Wyn & Me.

From 1988 to 1991, she appeared as Amelia Lawson in the American television drama series Paradise. Syndication of All the Rivers Run and The Man from Snowy River and The Man from Snowy River II brought her to a wider international audience.

In 1991, she starred in Over the Hill directed by George T. Miller and in 1996, Love in Ambush directed by Carl Shultz. She starred as Laura Joy Gibson in the Australian television series SeaChange from 1998 to 2000,[6] winning the Most Outstanding Actress award in 1999 and 2000.

Stage highlights

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Thornton's stage performances include a 2002/03 touring production of The Blue Room directed by Simon Phillips for the Melbourne Theatre Company opposite Marcus Graham.[7] In 2009 she made her debut with Opera Australia in its production at Melbourne's Arts Centre as Desiree Armfeldt in Sondheim and Wheeler's A Little Night Music, directed by Stuart Maunder.[8]

In 2014, she won critical acclaim for her portrayal of Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams' play A Streetcar Named Desire for the Black Swan State Theatre Company in Perth.[9]

In 2015, she appeared in the premiere of Stephen Beckett's play Diary of a Nobody, inspired by the 1892 novel The Diary of a Nobody, at the Princess Theatre, Launceston, Tasmania.[10] The same year, Thornton played the part of Golde in Fiddler on the Roof at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne.[11]

As of September 2022 Sigrid made her stage debut for the Sydney Theatre Company in the premiere stage play The Lifespan of a Fact to rave reviews and in 2023 returns to the stage for Anton Chekhov's The Seagull for the Sydney Theatre Company.

On 11 September 2024, Thornton was named for the 2025 season for the Melbourne Theatre Co play Mother Play.[12]

Recent film and television work

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In 2002, Thornton starred in Australian thriller The Pact, directed by Strathford Hamilton, written by Hugh O'Brien.

In 2003, Thornton appeared in Mittens directed by Emma Freeman. In 2004, she played a geneticist in a four-episode arc on MDA. She shaved her head for her role in the 2005 telemovie Little Oberon.

Thornton hosted the Nine Network's What's Good For You.

In 2010, she appeared in Underbelly: The Golden Mile as recurring character Geraldine "Gerry" Lloyd, an Australian Federal Police detective and investigator for the Wood Royal Commission.[13]

In 2011, Thornton starred in Face to Face, an independent Australian film directed by Michael Rymer.[14]

In 2012, she participated in Who Do You Think You Are.[15]

In 2016, Thornton appeared in the fourth season of SoHo drama series Wentworth for seven episodes as a special guest star. She portrayed the character of Sonia Stevens (initially played by Tina Bursill in Prisoner), a woman on remand for the suspected murder of her best friend.[16]

Thornton returned for season 5 of Wentworth as a main cast member and served as the main antagonist in season 6, until her characters death in episode 7, "The Edge".

In 2018, she appeared in Anh's Brush with Fame.

In 2021 Thornton would film the feature film Slant and critics praised Thornton's role as 'career best'.[17]

The "Sigrid Factor"

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In his book The Big Shift, about changing Australian demographics and culture, Bernard Salt coined the term the "Sigrid factor" pointing out that Australian towns in which movies had been made featuring Thornton had prospered since that time.[18] More broadly he referred to changing Australian cultural values which were well reflected in the types of places in which Sigrid Thornton had acted: the Riverland during the 1980s All the Rivers Run and the coast in the 2000s SeaChange.

Personal life and advocacy

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Thornton is married to actor Tom Burstall and has two children. She is known for her work with World Vision, the Royal Children's Hospital, Vision Australia, Reach Foundation and other charitable causes.[19] She has lobbied successive governments to keep libraries open and to resource the Australian film and television industry. She has been appointed to several federal and state film bodies, including Film Victoria[3] and is involved in helping to sustain and develop the industry.[20]

In 2023 Thornton received a star on the Randwick Walk of Fame.[21]

In August of 2024 Thornton's mother Merle Thornton died aged 93. Merle was a well known activist whom Sigrid looked up to. Sigrid said of her mother's death that she was proud of her mother.[22]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Type
1977 The F.J. Holden Wendy Feature film
The Getting of Wisdom Maria Feature film
1978 The King of the Two Day Wonder (aka The Wargame) Christy Feature film
1979 Snapshot (aka The Day After Halloween) Angela Feature film
1982 Duet for Four Caroline Martin Feature film
The Man From Snowy River Jessica Harrison Feature film
1984 Street Hero Gloria Feature film
1985 Niel Lynne (aka Best Enemies) Fennimore Feature film
1987 Slate, Wyn & Me Blanche McBride Feature film
The Lighthorsemen Anne Feature film
1988 The Man from Snowy River II Jessica Feature film
1992 Over the Hill Elizabeth Feature film
1997 Love In Ambush Shelley Kincaird Feature film
2000 Arctic Adventure Lucy (voice) Film animated short
2002 Living with Happiness Mother (voice) Film animated short
The Pact Susan Tuttle Feature film
2003 Inspector Gadget 2 Mayor Wilson Feature film
Mittens Mother Film short
2008 Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation! Herself Feature film documentary
2011 The Telegram Man Barbara Lewis Film short
Face to Face Claire Baldoni Feature film
2014 BFFs Jacqueline Feature film
2016 Scare Campaign Vicki Feature film
2023 Slant Vivianne Verity Feature film

Television

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Year Title Role Type Ref
1973 Homicide Erica Johnston TV series, 1 episode
Certain Women TV series
1975; 1976 Matlock Police Cathy Simpson / Simone Foley TV series, 2 episodes
1975 Division 4 Wendy Sherlock TV series, 1 episode
1976 Bluey Helen Laughton TV series, 1 episode
Bobby Dazzler Anastasia TV series, 1 episode
1977 The Sullivans Buffy Turnbull TV series, 24 episodes
Young Ramsay Annette Murray TV series, 1 episode
1978 Father, Dear Father In Australia Sue Glover TV series, 14 episodes
1978-80 Cop Shop Tracy McBean / Karen / Helen Davis TV series, 3 episodes
1978 Glenview High Georgiana TV series, 1 episode
Case for the Defence Mandy Lattimer TV series, 1 episode
Chopper Squad Mandy Paramor TV series, 1 episode
1979–80 Prisoner Roslyn Coulson TV series, 30 episodes
1980 Skyways Olivia Baker TV series, 1 episode
The Last Outlaw Kate Kelly TV miniseries, 4 episodes
Lawson's Mates Hannah TV series, 1 episode
Players in the Gallery TV film series, 1 episode
1981 I Can Jump Puddles Mabel TV miniseries, 2 episodes
Bellamy Fiona TV series, 1 episode
Outbreak of Love Anthea Langton TV miniseries
1982 1915 Frances TV miniseries, 7 episodes
1983 All The Rivers Run Philadelphia Gordon TV miniseries, 8 episodes
The Boy in the Bush Monica Ellis TV miniseries, 4 episodes
1984 26th Annual TV Week Logie Awards Best Lead Actress in TV Mini Series All The Rivers Run Winner TV special
1987 Great Expectations: The Untold Story Bridget Tankerton TV movie
The Far Country Jennifer Morton TV miniseries, 2 episodes
1988-1991 Paradise Amelia Lawson TV series, 56 episodes
1993 Ernie and Denise Guest TV series, 1 episode
The Feds Christine McQuillan TV movie pilot
1994 G.P. Renee Jackson TV series, 1 episode
Trapped In Space (aka Breaking Strain) Issacs TV movie
1996 Whipping Boy Cass Meridith TV movie
1998; 2010 Hey Hey It's Saturday Guest TV series, 2 episodes
1998–2000 SeaChange Laura Gibson TV series, lead role, 47 episodes
2000 The New Adventures of Ocean Girl Narrator TV series, 10 episodes
2002 Island Life Narrator TV series, 6 episodes
2005 MDA Dr. Robyn Masterton TV series, 4 episodes
Little Oberon Lola Green TV movie
2006 Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King Mrs. Anges Sternwood TV miniseries, episode 1
2008 Dream Life Mrs Buchanan TV movie
2010 Underbelly: The Golden Mile [23] Gerry Lloyd TV series, 7 episodes
Hey Hey It's Saturday Herself ("Red Faces" segment) TV series, 1 episode [24]
2013 #7 Days Later Molly TV series, 1 episode
2014 The Code Lara Dixon TV series, 6 episodes [25]
2015 Peter Allen: The Boy Next Door Judy Garland TV miniseries, 2 episodes [26]
2016–2018 Wentworth Sonia Stevens TV series, 26 episodes [27]
2017 David Stratton: A Cinematic Life Guest TV series, 2 episodes
2018 Sando Guest TV series, 2 episodes
Orange Is the New Brown Dr. Vulva, Nigella Lawson TV series 2 episodes
2019 Lambs of God Rose Stanford TV miniseries, 2 episodes
SeaChange Laura Gibson TV series, 13 episodes [28]
2020 Brazen Hussies Narrator TV special
2021 Amazing Grace Diane Cresswell TV series, 8 episodes [29]

Self / Interviews

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Year Title Role Notes
2024 The 2024 TV Week Logie Awards Herself on screen TV Special
2023 Today Extra Guest TV series, 1 episode
Sunrise Guest (with Tom Burlinson) TV series, 1 episode
The Morning Show Guest (with Tom Burlinson) TV series, 1 episode
Studio 10 Guest (with Tom Burlinson) TV series, 1 episode
Studio 10 10th Birthday Show Guest (with Tom Burlinson) TV series, 1 episode
2022 This Is Your Life: Rebecca Gibney Guest TV series, 1 episode
2022, 2023 Today Extra Guest TV series, 1 episode
2022 ABC 90 Celebrate! Guest TV special
2020 News Breakfast Guest TV series, 1 episode
2019, 2022 Today Extra Guest TV series, 2 episodes
2019 Today Guest TV series, 1 episode
The Daily Edition Guest TV series, 1 episode
The 61st Annual TV Week Logie Awards Herself TV special
2018 Anh's Brush with Fame [30] Guest TV series, 1 episode
2018, 2023 Studio 10 Guest TV series, 1 episode
2018 Wentworth: Season 6 Behind the Scenes Herself TV special
The 60th Annual TV Week Logie Awards Herself TV special
2016 One Plus One Guest TV series, 1 episode
2015 The Daily Edition Self TV series, 1 episode
4th AACTA Awards Herself TV special
Mornings Self TV series, 1 episode
2012 Who Do You Think You Are? Herself TV series, 1 episode
2008-2011 Inside Film Awards Presenter TV series, 4 episodes
2008 Talking Heads Herself TV series, 1 episode
2007 What's Good For You Host TV series
2006 Ingenious Africa Herself TV series, 13 episodes
2005 50 Years 50 Shows Herself TV Special
2005 Australia Unites: Reach Out to Asia Herself TV telethon special
2004 2004 Australian Film Institute Awards Herself TV special
2003 ABC Australian Movie Screenings Host TV series, 4 episodes
Welcher & Welcher Herself TV series, 1 episode
Greeks on the Roof Herself TV series, 1 episode
Micallef Tonight Herself - Cue card holder TV series, 1 episode
Enough Rope with Andrew Denton Guest TV series, 1 episode
2001 Rove Live Guest TV series, 1 episode
The Micallef Program Herself TV series, 1 episode
2000 The Panel Guest TV series, 1 episode
The Big Schmooze Herself TV series, 1 episode
1999 O'Loughlin on Saturday Night Guest TV series, 1 episode
1998 World Vision: A Friend in Need Herself TV special
E! News Herself TV series, 1 episode
Sunday Guest TV series, 1 episode
Race Around the World Herself TV series
Laws Guest TV series, 1 episode
Australian Story Herself TV series, 1 episode
People's Choice Awards Herself TV special
Witness Herself TV series, 1 episode
Seven Nightly News Herself TV series, 1 episode
National Nine News Herself TV series, 1 episode
ABC News Herself TV series, 1 episode
Denise Guest TV series, 1 episode
Recovery Guest (with Cassandra Magrath) TV series, 1 episode
1997; 1998 Ten News Herself TV series, 1 episode
1997 World Vision: A Matter of Survival Herself TV special
1996 The 1996 Australian Film Institute Awards Co-host TV special
World Vision: A Christmas Wish Herself TV telethon special
1995 4 Quarters Herself TV series, 1 episode
AFL Grand Final Guest TV special
World Vision Appeal: Vision For A Better World Herself TV telethon special
Cinematheque Herself TV series
1994; 1995 World Vision Appeal: Vision For A Better World Herself TV telethon special
1994; 1998 People's Choice Awards Herself TV special
1994 The Talk Show Guest TV series, 1 episode
Wildscreen - Sperm Wars Herself TV documentary
One Family Herself TV special
Australian Fashion Awards Presenter TV special
Homicide... 30 Years On Herself TV special
Review - A.F.I Awards Herself TV series special
1993-2005 Good Morning Australia Guest TV series
1993 Tonight Live with Steve Vizard Guest TV series, 1 episode
Children at the Edge Herself TV special
Inside Edition Guest TV series, 1 episode
1992; 1994 People's Choice Awards Herself TV special
1992 In Sydney Today Guest TV series, 1 episode
The Morning Show Guest TV series, 1 episode
The World Tonight Guest TV series, 1 episode
1992-98 The Midday Show Guest TV series, 5 episodes
1991; 1992 Tonight Live with Steve Vizard Guest TV series, 1 episode
1990 32nd Annual TV Week Logie Awards Herself TV special
1989 The Pat Sajak Show Guest TV series, 1 episode
1988 Reading Australian Film Presenter Video
The Comedy Company Herself TV series, 1 episode
1982 The Don Lane Show Guest (with Jack Thompson & Tom Burlinson) TV series, 1 episode
The Mike Walsh Show Guest TV series, 1 episode

Theatre

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Year Title Role Type
1983 Sydney Film Festival Opening Night 1983 Special guest State Theatre, Sydney for Sydney Film Festival
2001 Betrayal Fairfax Studio, Melbourne with Melbourne Theatre Company
2003-04 The Blue Room Playhouse, Melbourne, His Majesty's Theatre, Perth, Theatre Royal, Sydney, Lyric Theatre, Brisbane with Melbourne Theatre Company
2004 Australia's Leading Ladies Compere Concert Hall, Brisbane with Queensland Symphony Orchestra
2007 Talking Heads His Majesty's Theatre, Perth, Gold Coast Arts Centre, Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, Theatre Royal, Hobart, Princess Theatre, Launceston, Canberra Theatre, Playhouse QPAC Brisbane, Theatre Royal, Sydney, Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, Newcastle Civic Theatre
2009–10 A Little Night Music Desiree Armfeldt Arts Centre, Sydney Opera House with Opera Australia
2014 A Streetcar Named Desire Blanche DuBois Black Swan State Theatre Company
The Effect Southbank Theatre, Melbourne with Melbourne Theatre Company
2015 Diary of a Nobody Princess Theatre, Launceston
2015–16 Fiddler on the Roof Golde Capitol Theatre, Sydney with TML Enterprises
2022 The Lifespan of a Fact Roslyn Packer Theatre with Sydney Theatre Company
2023 The Seagull Sydney Theatre Company
2025 Mother Play Phyliss Melbourne Theatre Co

[31]

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Work Result[32]
1975 Sammy Awards Best Television Juvenile Performance Homicide Won
1979 Australian Film Institute Awards Australian Film Institute Award Snapshot Nominated
1979 Logie Awards Silver Logie for Best Actress in a Miniseries/Telemovie 1915 Nominated
1984 Logie Awards Silver Logie for Best Actress in a Miniseries/Telemovie All the Rivers Run Won
1990 Viewers for Quality Television Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series Paradise Nominated
1999 Australian Caption Centre Personality of the Year Nominated
Logie Awards Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Actress SeaChange Nominated
2000 Logie Awards Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Actress Won
Logie Awards Silver Logie for Most Popular Actress Nominated
Logie Awards Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television Nominated
2001 Logie Awards Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television Nominated
Logie Awards Silver Logie for Most Popular Actress Nominated
Logie Awards Silver Logie for Most Popular Actress Nominated
2003 Mo Awards[33] Best Female Actor in a Play Won
2003 Helpmann Awards Best Female Actor in a Play The Blue Room Nominated
2005 AACTA Awards Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama Little Oberon Nominated
2015 AACTA Awards Best Guest or Supporting Actress in a Television Drama Peter Allen: Not the Boy Next Door Won
2019 Gold Coast Film Festival Chauvel Award Significant contribution to the Australian screen industry Won[34]

References

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Notes

  1. ^ Sigrid Thornton: biography and credits
  2. ^ Morris 1970, p. [page needed].
  3. ^ a b Griffin, Michelle (18 September 2005). "The Sigrid weapon". The Age. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  4. ^ Warden, Ian (2 April 1984). "Familiar damsel saved from ravagingly good shipwreck". The Canberra Times. p. 26. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  5. ^ Wallace, Lisa (14 September 1987). "An Australian miniseries for everyone". The Canberra Times. p. 6. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  6. ^ Idato, Michael; Lallo, Michael (17 October 2018). "Nine revives ABC drama SeaChange – with Sigrid Thornton at the helm". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  7. ^ "Thornton, Graham red hot in the Blue Room" by Helen Thomson, The Age, 16 January 2003
  8. ^ A Little Night Music Archived 3 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Opera Australia
  9. ^ "Sigrid Thornton shines as Blanche Dubois in A Streetcar Named Desire" by Jay Hanna, Perth Now, 20 March 2014
  10. ^ "Event Details: Sigrid Thornton in Diary of a Nobody"
  11. ^ "Anthony Warlow returns to Australian stage for Fiddler on the Roof". Herald Sun. 13 September 2015.
  12. ^ Woodhead, Cameron (11 September 2024). "An unflinching footy play is coming back. And so is a David Williamson classic". The Age. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  13. ^ McWhirter, Erin (8 September 2009). "Sigrid Thornton plays hard cop in Underbelly The Golden Mile". Adelaide Now. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  14. ^ "Face to Face". The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  15. ^ "Season 2, episodes – Who Do You Think You Are". SBS. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  16. ^ Thomas, Sarah (5 November 2015). "Sigrid Thornton joins Wentworth as part of Foxtel's home-grown roster for 2016". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  17. ^ Gogos, Christopher (8 December 2022). "Nikou's Slant wins Best Australian Film at Monster Fest". NEOS KOSMOS. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  18. ^ Salt 2001, p. [page needed].
  19. ^ Quinn, Karl (5 December 2015). "'There is no endgame': Sigrid Thornton on a life embracing change". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  20. ^ Thornton, Sigrid (28 March 2006). "National Press Club Address: Expanding Horizons". National Press Club, Council of the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
  21. ^ Writer, Staff. "Sigrid Thornton welcomed by Randwick City to the Film Walk of Fame | ScreenHub Australia - Film & Television Jobs, News, Reviews & Screen Industry Data". screen hub.
  22. ^ O'Flaherty, Antonia (21 August 2024). "Merle Thornton, who fought for the right for women to drink at public bars in Queensland, dies aged 93". ABC News. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  23. ^ "Sigrid cops it for Underbelly | TV Tonight". 9 September 2009.
  24. ^ "Hey Hey: Guests | TV Tonight". 14 April 2010.
  25. ^ "Anthony LaPaglia, Sigrid Thornton join the Code. | TV Tonight". 17 August 2015.
  26. ^ "Sigrid: 'Judy championed Peter Allen to be his own man' | TV Tonight". 11 September 2015.
  27. ^ Knox, David (5 November 2015). "Sigrid Thornton joins Wentworth | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au.
  28. ^ Knox, David (23 July 2019). "No Sigrid, no SeaChange. | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au.
  29. ^ Knox, David (9 October 2020). "Filming underway on Amazing Grace | TV Tonight". TVtonight.com.au.
  30. ^ "Anh's Brush with Fame: Sept 12 | TV Tonight". 11 September 2018.
  31. ^ "AusStage".
  32. ^ Thornton, Sigrid. "Biography". sigridthornton.com. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  33. ^ "MO Award Winners". Mo Awards. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  34. ^ "The Chauvel Award". Gold Coast Film Festival. Retrieved 6 April 2022.

Sources

  • Morris, Jill (April 1970). A Looking Glass on Yesterday. Brisbane: Captain Cook Bicentennary Committee.
  • Salt, Bernard (2001). The Big Shift. Hardie Grant Publishing. ISBN 978-1-876719-29-6.

Further reading

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