Donna Demaio: Australia Correspondent on Sir Sam Neill's passing

Sir Sam Neill is being remembered as a gentle soul - who helped put New Zealand film on the map.

The Northern Ireland-born actor, who moved here at the age of seven, has died suddenly aged 78. 

He was surrounded by family at a Sydney hospital. 

Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio tells Ryan what the reaction has been in Australia. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let's got to donal to may our Australia correspondent. Who's morning, Donna,
Good morning, good morning to you. Now there have been
tributes a plenty from all over Australia, including your Prime
Minister for Sam Neil.

Speaker 2 (00:11):
Oh, of course, and we are describing him as an
honorary Australian. Everybody loved Sam Neil and we've heard from
many many people. The Ossie Prime Minister Anthony Ubanez, he
paid tribute to the actor and he actually turned to
Twitter or X I should say, and said that Sam
Neil starting so many beloved Australian stories and he earned

(00:33):
a special place in Australian hearts. He was ry and dry,
thoughtful and laconic, and Sam fought illness with the same dignity,
humor and conviction that gave strength to his every performance.
And he will be much mourned and long remembered. May
he rest in peace. That was from the PM, but
then many other tributes also from actor David Wenham for instance,
saying that he was aside from being an international all

(00:56):
round legend, he was the kindest, cheekiest, most generous and
porty friend going around. It was only a few years
ago actually that I was able to moderate a Q
and A session in Carlton in Melbourne, Victoria with Brian
Brown and Sam Neil and Rachel Ward. And I remember
Sam Neil as one of the kindest and he knew

(01:21):
I was very very nervous on the night, actually, I've
got to say, And he was so calming and so lovely.
And I have very very fond memories of Sam Neil
as well and like to pay tribute to an incredible
actor and incredible man.

Speaker 1 (01:36):
Now tell us about this former Sydney childcare worker who's
been charged with loads of offenses.

Speaker 2 (01:42):
Oh, honestly, I have to say, I'll preface this story
with saying that police urge any victims or survivors to
seek support, talk to a trusted person. But Australia fedral
Police have contacted more than one hundred and twenty families
they're investigating alleged defending by a former Sydney childcare worker.
The thirty five year old man has been charged with
three one hundred and twenty nine offenses ellectibly committed over

(02:03):
a sixteen year period against one hundred and thirty six victims.
They're still looking for the looking to identify twenty two
of those victims. The police operation spanned twelve months and
involved the analysis of two point four million electronic files,
and this man, he found guilty, faces up to twenty
years prison over some of those charges.

Speaker 1 (02:26):
Right that's done in tomayow Our Australia Correspondent.

Speaker 2 (02:29):
For more from Early Edition with Ryan Bridge.

Speaker 1 (02:31):
Listen live to News Talks it be from five am weekdays,
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