Acting

Margaret Ford

Margaret Ford, originally named Margaret McClure Campbell, was a notable South African-born actress who made significant contributions to the Australian stage and screen. Born in 1916, Margaret displayed her flair for performance from a young age, captivating classmates with recitations as early as four. By the age of six, she had embraced dance and committed herself to a future in the performing arts. After completing her education, she trained as a speech teacher before pursuing formal acting studies at Citizen House Theatre in Bath, England, in 1939.

With the outbreak of World War II, Margaret returned to South Africa, serving as a military nurse for five years across South Africa, Egypt, and Italy. Her dedication to her nursing role led her to participate annually in the Anzac Day parade. It was during her service in Egypt that she met Frederich James Ford, whom she married in 1947. Following their marriage, she settled in Perth, Western Australia, where she raised her son Richard, born in 1952.

Margaret's professional stage debut came in Emlyn Williams' *The Corn is Green* with the Company of Four. She showcased her talent in a variety of productions, including Noel Coward's *Hay Fever* and Shakespeare's *Richard III*. Her extensive film and television repertoire includes the feature films *Fran* (1985) and *Shame* (1988), as well as the children's series *The Adventures of Bush Patrol* and three seasons of *Ship to Shore*. Margaret Ford's legacy as an actress remains influential in the Australian entertainment landscape until her passing in 2010.

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