Kerry Goode, an 85-year-old community theatre icon, has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her outstanding contributions to the performing arts through community theatre. Goode's dedication to the stage began at age eight, when her mother enrolled her in ballet classes to improve her asthma. This sparked a lifelong passion for the arts, leading her to appear in Cinderella, school productions, and eventually community theatre groups across Perth. Goode's involvement with community theatre has been particularly meaningful as she grew older, providing her with a renewed sense of purpose and mental stimulation. She has acted, directed, and worked with various theatre companies, including Garrick Theatre, Limelight Theatre, Stirling Theatre, and KADS Theatre. Goode's commitment to the arts is also evident in her work at The West Australian as a copytaker for over four decades, where she transcribed stories from journalists. Despite her age, Goode continues to perform, recently starring in a full-house production of The Playboy of the Western World at the Garrick Theatre. Her dedication to the arts and her impact on the community have been recognized with the Medal of the Order of Australia, a well-deserved honor for her exceptional contributions to Australia's cultural landscape.
