A tribute to my friend and movie star, Diane Cilento
Jan Murray, 76, recently retired but she’s not taking it as time to relax. Jan’s using retirement to complete all her unfinished projects and is currently studying a Bachelor of Complementary Medicine.
Last week, on October 11 marked five years since a great friend and mentor Diane Cilento passed away.I first met Diane 27 years ago when I moved to Far North Queensland to manage a jewellery store in the Sheraton Mirage in Port Douglas. During this time, I met many colourful characters and celebrities. There were some fantastic experiences and some not so fantastic, during a 20 year period living in FNQ.
Today it seemed right to talk about Diane on the fifth anniversary and celebration of her life and passing.
One day I was in Port Douglas when, during the heat of early summer, I encountered this vision approaching me, resplendent in a large black hat with flowing scarf shading a perfectly made up face, and wearing a robe of some exotic material in tropical hues. I felt quite inadequate in my casual attire as we were both going through a supermarket checkout at the time.
“My God!” I thought,"Who is this vision?” The only way to describe this person, all dressed up top to toe in 31 degree heat and 99 per cent humidity is: “That's Diane Cilento, the movie star.” At the time she was building an outdoor theatre in the rainforest.
Over the next months I encountered this lady frequently and she was always equally resplendent and flamboyant and extremely friendly. She probably realised how star struck I was. Eventually I was invited to have a look at Karnak Playhouse, the unique theatre she had built for the arts.
When I finally arrived to Karnak for a visit and art classes, I was greeted by an extremely enthusiastic Diane, riding a tractor, not a trace of makeup, mowing acres of grass and assisting in the building of her vision "a theatre in the rainforest".
“We all work here,” she said, “in some way or other."
Diane explained to me how hard it was for her to accomplish her dream and the difficulties she encountered with council and townspeople because of local attitudes. Diane did most of the labour herself or friends came to help however they could.
Entrepreneur Christopher Skase had bought many properties in Port Douglas and some old timers were feeling a little threatened by what was thought of in some way as unwanted progress. So Diane was caught up in some negative attitudes by locals.Of course, Port Douglas is now a leading tourist destination and world renowned but not in 1988. There was a great deal of suspicion if you were a newcomer.
Diane was conducting art classes and cultural activities each weekend which brought in revenue to keep her dream alive. She had bought old houses and that's where the guests stayed and learned from the best Australia had to offer, be it painting, music, acting or alternative philosophies. All were hosted by the wonderful talented Diane Cilento. At night we sat around a huge table and ate whatever Diane had cooked for us, all produced from her land with the scraps returned to the land the next morning. Nothing was wasted. True self sufficiency, before it was fashionable. We were all at one with each other and the land.
Musicians of renown, fellow actors, TV personalities and disciples of alternative living and philosophies all sat around this huge table. Before we ate Diane would make a phone call to the main house, a few minutes later a distinguished English Gentleman appeared and sat at the head of the table. Tony Schaffer well respected playwright and author. She had so much love and respect for this man. She was definitely unique. Every day of my life I remember these times.
Diane worked physically so hard, her hands would bleed. She taught me so much about true humility, although anyone who met her in her grandiose garbs on a plane or in a conference situation or on the screen would have thought, “Oh! That’s Diane Cilento – movie star!”
Believe me Diane Cilento was much more than a movie star. She was a teacher, a mentor and a friend. She will never be forgotten.
I believe Diane's dream is still operating Karnak Theatre in the rainforest, Miallo, Far North Queensland. All of her friends bought a seat at the theatre and Diane put our names on the back of the seats we bought.
I must go back one day to revisit the spirit of my friend Diane Cilento. She will always be more than a movie star.
Image credits: The Courier-Mail
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