Gerda Nicolson

Gerda Maureen Nicolson (11 November 1937 – 12 June 1992) was an Australian actress, who worked across all major forms of media, including theatre and television actress and films, she was best known for several long-running television roles, including in rural series Bellbird police detective series Bluey and as Governor Ann Reynolds of the Wentworth Detention Centre in soap opera Prisoner and briefly as Robyn Taylor in Neighbours Early life Gerda Maureen Nicolson was born in Hobart, Tasmania, and as a child moved to Geelong in Melbourne where her parents both involved in reportory theatre. In 1959, she travelled to London with her parents and attended many stage performances. She initially studied architecture and got her dramatic training at the St Martins Theatre, before travelling to London where she worked as a draftsperson. On returning to Australia in 1961, Gerda joined Melbourne University's Graduate Society and acted in a number of its amateur stage plays. A year later, she was spotted by a director who encouraged her to audition for a stage play, A Woman in a Dressing Gown. Scoring one of the main roles, she joined the ensemble on its tour of Australia and New Zealand. Nicolson later said that the producer awarded her with the role on account of her stunning legs.