What happened to Mac Gudgeon?

Australian screenwriter, Mac Gudgeon has been reported dead. He died after suffering a long illness on Monday, May 29, 2023, at age 74. He worked as a writer in the film and TV industry for more than 30 years. He was the President of the Australian Writers’ Guild from 1998 to 2000.

He was credited for writing ABC’s Indigenous-themed miniseries, The Secret River, released in 2015. The series stars popular actress, Sarah Snook. He wrote Waterfront while he was still working as a painter and docker. The show debuted his career success and became an instant hit. It won a Logie in 1985 for Best Miniseries of the Year.

Tributes have been pouring in across various social media platforms after his death was announced.

The Australian Writers’ Guild President Shane Brennan shared a heartfelt message after his death was announced.

“Mac was a towering presence in the Guild. He was not just our heart and soul, he was our conscience, that little voice in our head that said, ‘We have to fight this.’ And fight we did, so many battles with Mac standing, unflinching, on the front line. Mac didn’t just man the barricades, he built them. His contribution to this Guild, to the place we earned at the table, to the concessions we won over decades, should never be forgotten. And yes, Mac was a helluva writer,” he wrote.

“RIP Mac Gudgeon. A lion of Oz writing & advocacy for Oz writers. Generous with help & advice. Wrote many great scripts including Waterfront & Ground Zero. A conscientious objector to the Vietnam War & committed trade unionist,” actor Ned Manning wrote.