Australian soap scriptwriter Ray Kolle, who worked on Channel 5 programmes Neighbours and Home and Away, has died in Sydney at the age of 85. His death was confirmed following a 46-year career in television.
Career highlights
Kolle served as head writer on Neighbours from 1986 until 1992, introducing iconic characters such as Scott and Charlene Robinson and Madge and Harold Bishop. He also worked on Prisoner Cell Block H, Sons and Daughters and Prisoner.
Born one of 10 siblings, Kolle started out working in bookshops before getting his big break in television in 1961, writing comedy sketches for In Melbourne Tonight.
Tributes from fans and colleagues
Tributes have flooded in for the star, with the TV City Facebook account writing: “Very sad news to hear of the passing of veteran Australian television writer and story editor Ray Kolle.
“Ray was one of those incredibly talented people working behind the scenes who helped shape some of Australia’s most iconic television dramas.
“I’ve always had enormous respect for the writers and producers who created the television shows so many of us grew up watching.
“I would have absolutely loved to have interviewed Ray for TV City, to hear his firsthand stories about Prisoner, Neighbours, the Grundy years and the incredible people he worked alongside.
“Sadly, that is one interview I’ll never get the opportunity to do.
“Another important part of Australian television history has left us. Thank you, Ray, for the stories and memories you helped create for generations of television viewers.”
One fan echoed: “I never actually met him personally but was well aware of his fine reputation - he was held in much esteem by his colleagues.”
Another said: “Sad news. Top writer with a large body of work. Privileged to have worked on many of his scripts.”
Somebody else posted: “Rest in peace, Ray.”
Reflections on Neighbours
Speaking about his role on Neighbours, Ray said in an interview quoted on his website: “For the first seven of the ten years that I was Script Producer (or Script Supervisor was the title then), I was in love with the show and the characters. I found them a joy to create stories for. Since then the show has not had quite the same strength of overall cast.”
