Diane Smith: “Strawberry Lady”

Diane Smith recalls watching with envy as Penny Cook gallivanted all over the world as a reporter with The Great Outdoors. “Why can’t I have that job?” is what she was thinking.

 Proving you should be careful what you wish for, Penny Cook did leave The Great Outdoors in late 1996 and Diane beat many other contenders for a coveted role as a reporter on the hit travel/adventure program.

 Since graduating from NIDA in 1978, Diane has had a busy acting career, playing frequently with the esteemed Sydney Theatre Company.

 She also appeared in many of Australia’s best-known television dramas, from Skyways, The Restless Years, to Cop Shop, GP, Fire and Fallen Angels, and was well loved as Alex Frazer in A Country Practice.

 Diane has also been a hit on the big screen, appearing in a number of films, including PJ Hogan’s runaway hit film Muriel’s Wedding.

 Since finishing on The Great Outdoors in late 2006, Di has starred in the hilarious production Boston Marriage, at the Darlinghurst Theatre and The Secret of the Seven Marbles at the Seymour Centre.