Joy Cavill (1923 – 1 March 1990) was an Australian screenwriter and producer.
She worked in radio for a number of years[1] before breaking into films as continuity person on King of the Coral Sea (1954).[2] This film started an association with Lee Robinson which went on for many years, and involved her working with him as a secretary, writer, associate producer and producer on a number of projects, notably Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, on which she was sole producer on the third season.[3] She was also close to Chips Rafferty, who nicknamed her "Mother".
In 1964 she travelled to the Tokyo Olympics to film a special on Dawn Fraser. While there she suffered a heart attack. She spent several months recovering then moved to Canada, directing documentaries and TV commercials.[4] In the late 60s she returned to Australia and resumed her association with Robinson.
Without Robinson, she wrote and produced the feature film, Dawn! (1979), a biopic of the Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser, with whom Cavill had a romantic relationship.[5] She is considered one of the pioneer female producers of the Australian film industry.[6]
Among the filmmakers Cavill trained were Lyn McEncroe, Adrian Read, Sue Milliken and Jill Robb. As her obituary stated:
Secretary, continuity girl, associate producer, writer, producer, filmmaker and "Mother:" Joy Cavill was many things to many people. Her outstanding contribution to the Australian film industry and her fine leadership qualities will be missed.[7]