Longtime Canberra performer Camilla Laura (Gregory) Blunden has died aged 81.

Camilla was born in Falmouth, Cornwall and moved to London, where she met Geoffrey Blunden from Melbourne at a dance, marrying him in Falmouth.

She then emigrated to Australia with Geoffrey. Camilla initially lived in Melbourne, had two children, then they all moved to Canberra, where she spent most of her life.

Camilla’s children, Hazel and Damian, have paid tribute to their mother.

Hazel and Damian said their mother was an actor, educator and unionist, and contributed much to the Canberra arts community.

Camilla was in the Jigsaw Theatre company, which created many theatre works for children and she also acted and directed in numerous other company and solo productions over the years.

She delivered civic education at Parliament House to students, was a teacher, and spent many years working at the National Film and Sound Archive.

“Camilla had a stylish fashion sense, and a gang of creative, vibrant and caring friends,” her children said.

“Camilla unfortunately started to show signs of Alzheimer’s about five years ago and received support from her daughter, son, sister-in-law and friends, as well as home care.

“She required more care in the last two years of her life so she moved into aged care in Cairns, close to her son and other family, with her daughter visiting regularly.

“Camilla retained her good humour and typical stoicism and can do positive attitude even in advanced stages of her disease, dancing, walking and talking, and often smiled and laughed.

“And she would always tell you, ‘I’m fine’, if you asked her how she was.

“She was able to go out on drives to the beach and the botanic gardens with Damian or Hazel.

“She was fit and mobile until April 2025, then after a lung infection, suffered a decline in her quality of life, increasingly sleeping before her peaceful death on the morning of 17 August.

Hazel and Damian said Camilla worked very hard and was committed to forge a successful career in the performing arts and other areas while also raising a family and managing other responsibilities in life.

“She gained much enjoyment from entertaining, inspiring, questioning, encouraging reflection and working in partnership with others,” they said.

Camilla’s friend, Chrissie Shaw, also paid tribute to the performer. The pair worked together in Canberra for many years.

“We performed together in Over The Hill and The Slippery Slope. She directed me in my show Footprints on the Wind, played in and directed many Women on a Shoestring productions and she performed her own pieces as well,” the post said.

“Like many Canberra actors she worked as a simulated patient doing medical role-plays for the ANU (Australian National University) School of Medical Science.

“A long and creative life in the theatre and theatre education (Schools, Youth Theatre etc).”

“Farewell Camilla. A sad loss. XXX Chrissie”

The Street Theatre also paid tribute to Camilla.

“Today we’re remembering actor, director, theatre maker, and educator Camilla Blunden and her contribution to the Canberra cultural landscape and performing arts sector,” the venue said in a Facebook post.

“Camilla was a much loved part of The Street Theatre family and contributed in so many ways to the work we do here.

“She was last seen on stage as Anne-Marie in A Doll’s House, Part 2 alongside Rachel Berger, PJ Williams and Lily Constantine, bringing age, class, power, humour and enormous humanity into focus.

“Which reflected her unending commitment to social justice and making a difference in this world.

“She brought a wonderful depth to the play, and it was immensely satisfying to bring age to the stage in such a striking manner.”

The Street said Camilla was curious, incredibly disciplined, intellectually sharp with lashings of good humour, always collaborative, and a champion of the new.

“Especially new work and younger artists, politically feisty, and always with a deep love of theatre and literature,” the post said.

“A proud Cornish woman who always talked to her rich cultural heritage, you may remember her one-woman work All This Living directed by Rochelle Whyte – inspired by a series of conversations with older women of Canberra creating an intimate work filled with soul-baring revelations challenging us to see and value all ages.

“Or perhaps Destination Home with Raoul Craemer, Noonee Doronila and Liliana Bogatko created hot on the heels of Australia’s 2011 Multicultural Policy and a conversation-performance on the Australian identity or maybe playing Elaine in black comedy Breathing Corpses.

The Street said Camilla also assisted behind the scenes in directing, training volunteers and role playing.

“Camilla was part of the ushering team here at The Street, ensuring she saw everything and was always forthright in her feedback on creative work given with generosity and incredibly useful,” the post said.

“She was a Canberra Critics Circle and MEAA (Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance) Green Room Award winner.

“And she was a champion and passionate advocate for a healthy professional performing arts community here in Canberra, award wages and Canberra organisations meeting national benchmarks in working conditions, and community recognition of creative practice like any other professional work.”

Camilla featured in a story by CD in 2019 when she appeared in A Doll’s House, Part 2.

She was grandmother to Brodie and Jasmine, and aunt to Tamzin, Demelza, Hanno and Bethany, Nigel Jnr, Patrick Jnr, Ryan and Patricia.

Camilla will be farewelled in Canberra on 21 September with a time and location to be determined.

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