Carolyn Joy Chambers-Grundy ( Chambers; 1947 – 17 September 2023) was an Australian actress, author, poet and businesswoman. As the wife of multimillionaire television tycoon Reg Grundy, she wrote for, worked as a production assistant on and appeared in his productions, and served on the board of Grundys Worldwide; subsequently with her husband, she formed media investment company "RG Capital Holdings", and pursued a career as a writer of historical novels.
Biography Early career Chambers was named the inaugural Miss Surf Girl in 1965 by the Queensland Surf Life Saving Club and was a model when she was spotted by her future producer husband Reg, who placed her as a panellist on the Australian version of his game show I've Got A Secret in which she featured over a 10-year tenure and won two Logie Awards in 1969 and 1970 as Most Popular Female Personality in Queensland. She went on to appear in numerous other Grundy's game shows including Everybody's Talking, The Celebrity Game and Blankety Blanks.
Television soap opera Chambers-Grundy is known for several television soap opera roles including Rita Merrick in The Restless Years, Dr Robyn Porter in The Young Doctors, and Rosemary Daniels in Neighbours. Chambers first played Rosemary, businesswoman and adopted daughter of Anne Haddy's character Helen Daniels, as a guest appearance in 1986 and then played the character on a recurring basis until 2010. Chambers made a brief return to the show in 2005, after line producer Linda Walker emailed her asking if she would return for the 20th anniversary celebrations. She shot her scenes in April on a visit to Melbourne. In May 2010, it was announced that Chambers would again be reprising the role of Rosemary. Chambers also appeared in film All at Sea.
Career as writer Chambers had a keen interest in poetry and literature which began in childhood, with her father encouraging her deep love of the English word. Chambers was an author of historical novels. She was also the International Patron of the Ipswich Poetry Feast.
Personal life and death Chambers was the second wife of television media mogul Reg Grundy from 1971 until his death in 2016. The couple lived in Bermuda. Chambers died in Queensland, Australia on 17 September 2023, at the age of 76.
Filmography Television YearTitleRoleNotes 1967-1972 I've Got A Secret Herself - Regular Guest TV series, 1 episode 1968 Everybody's Talking Herself - Regular panelist TV series 1969 The 11th Annual TV Week Logie Awards Herself TV special 1970 The 12th Annual TV Week Logie Awards Herself TV special 1974 Barry McKenzie: Ogre Or Ocker Herself TV special 1976–1977 The Celebrity Game Herself – Regular Panelist TV series 1977–1978 Graham Kennedy's Blankety Blanks Herself – Panelist TV series 1977 All at Sea Joy TV movie 1977–1979 The Restless Years Rita Merrick TV series, 101 episodes 1981–1982 The Young Doctors Robyn Porter TV series 1981 Channel Nine Celebrates: 25 Years Of Television Herself in audience with Reg Grundy TV special 1986–1987, 1989–1991, 1993–1998, 2005, 2010 Neighbours Rosemary Daniels TV series, 88 episodes 1993, 1996, 2000, 2003 Good Morning Australia Herself – Guest TV series, 4 episodes 2005, 2010 A Current Affair Herself & Reg Grundy TV series 2010 Sunrise Herself - Guest TV series, 1 episode 2010 Ten News Herself & Reg Grundy TV series, 1 episode 2010 Seven News Herself & Reg Grundy TV series, 1 episode 2010 Nine News Herself & Reg Grundy TV series, 1 episode 2010 Sky News Herself & Reg Grundy TV series, 1 episode 2010 Today Tonight Herself & Reg Grundy TV series, 1 episode 2010 ABC News Herself & Reg Grundy TV series, 1 episode 2010, 2016 A Current Affair Herself & Reg Grundy TV series 2016 A Current Affair Herself TV series, 1 episode 2017 Sunrise Herself - Archive clips TV series, 1 episode
Net worth
Year Financial ReviewRich List ForbesAustralia's 50 Richest Rank Net worth (A$) Rank 2019 $871 million 2020 $871 million 2021 $871 million 2022 n/a unlisted 2023 $901 million
Legend Icon DescriptionHas not changed from the previous yearHas increased from the previous yearHas decreased from the previous year
Bibliography Mayfield (1993). My Zulu, Myself (1995). Vale Valhalla (2000). None But the Brave (2003). For Freedom (2007). The Great Deception (2012).
References
External links Official website
Joy Chambers at Hachette