Joy was born in Dubbo and during the Second World War she was part of an all-girl singing troupe which entertained the troops from the local army camp. Those wartime experiences would form the basis of a hit novel called The Dubbo Dazzlers which she wrote in 2003.

After the war, Joy went on to train as an actress with the Whitehall Academy of Dramatic Art, and also studied at the Hector Crawford School of Radio. She soon found herself touring Australia after being signed up by the legendary J.C. Williamson company, although her career was temporarily put on hold after she fell for the Czechoslovakian born pianist Denny Hruby, the pair would marry and would enjoy many happy years of marriage until his death.

Joy enjoyed an extensive stage career. In 1973 she won the Theatre Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Half in Earnest, toured with A Little Night Music, and appeared in other sell out productions including The Lady’s Not for Burning, and The Crucible. She became a familiar face to television viewers appearing in programmes includingCertain Women, Patrol Boat, Waterloo Station, The Restless Years, Bellamy, Sons & Daughters, A Country Practice, Possession, A Fortunate Life, The Two Ronnies in Australia, The Outsiders, the telemovie No Room to Run, Brides of Christ, GP, Above the Law, All Saints, and Home & Away. On the big screen she appeared in movies including Caddie, Love Letters from Teralba Road, Winter of our Dreams, Kitty and the Bagman, and Rough Diamonds. (more…)