Zoe Bertram is a talented Australian actress best known for her work in television, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s. Photos of Zoe Bertram during production of The Anniversary featuring the cast of The Restless Years at Phillip St. Theatre in 1982 by Mark Anning.
Zoe Bertram began her career with a significant role in the popular Australian soap opera The Restless Years, where she played Olivia Baxter, a character that resonated with audiences and established her as a familiar face on Australian TV. Zoe appeared in 122 episodes of The Restless Years from 1977–81.
Beyond The Restless Years, Bertram has appeared in a variety of other classic Australian television series, including Prisoner, A Country Practice, and Neighbours, demonstrating her versatility as an actress.
The Restless Years
The Restless Years was a coming of age TV series that ran for four years from 1977-1981, with 780 episodes that launched the careers of many young Australian thespians, reinforcing the need for Australian-made television drama. David Argue, Zoe Bertram, Jon Blake, Tom Burlinson, Penny Cook, all got their start in The Restless Years, and that is just up to C in the alphabet.
Initially introduced as a minor character working as a prostitute, Olivia Baxter’s popularity soared, leading her to become a permanent lead and eventually marrying the show’s leading man, Dr. Bruce Russell.
She became pregnant, but complications arose that put her health at risk. Concerned for her well-being, Bruce arranged for her to have an abortion. The procedure took a toll on her mental state, leading to her becoming mentally unstable and eventually divorcing him.
Following the divorce, Olivia spiraled further, ultimately kidnapping a baby and fleeing. Zoe Bertram left the show in 1981.
After a brief role as student Toby Buxton in the final days of Number 96, Thompson was cast as Bruce in The Restless Years, eventually becoming the show’s longest-serving actor and the heroic lead.
Dr. Bruce Russell, portrayed by the charming Malcolm Thompson, had become a central figure in The Restless Years. A British-born, RADA-trained actor, Thompson had previously appeared in Coronation Street before relocating to Australia in the mid-1970s.
Rebecca Giblin, pictured here with Malcolm Thompson during the Phillip St Theatre production of The Anniversary, did not appear in The Restless Years but was such a popular and well known actress from her appearances in The Box and The Sullivans, that she was cast with other stars of the show in the stage show.
Randi Goodlove in Prisoner Cell Block H (spoiler alert)
Zoe Bertram appeared in 14 episodes of Prisoner in 1983 as a scheming prostitute, Randi Goodlove. She first appears in Prisoner, serving a 14-day sentence for soliciting – the quaint English and Australian legal term for prostitution.
During her time at Wentworth Prison, she is assigned to work in reception doing clerical work and reveals her plans to find a nice “travelling salesman” to marry so she can keep on her work as a prostitute before being released.
A few episodes later, Marty, the son of prison guard Meg surprised his mother at home by introducing her to the woman he is about to marry … Randi Goodlove who now uses the name “Jenny.” Nice plot twist!
Randi’s true identity was revealed to Marty during his stag night and the marriage called off. Randi is soon back in Wentworth, this time for a three-week sentence. Seeking revenge on Meg, she tried to frame her for stealing a diamond necklace, but one of the inmates pickpocketed the necklace from Meg’s pocket.
Randi’s fate took a dark turn when she crossed paths with a dangerous prison guard who murdered Randi Goodlove, and left her on top of a boiler.
Bizarrely, she is never mentioned again, and her disappearance is assumed to be an escape, with no further explanation provided. It was a great plot until that oversight.
Other TV & Film Appearances
Zoe Bertram is a much loved Australian actress who consistently worked in A Country Practice, Home and Away, and The Flying Doctors during the 1980s.
In the nineties, Bertram appeared in 13 episodes of Animal Park, and 254 episodes of Paradise Beach as the character Paula Taylor. ‘Mirror, Mirror’ and its sequel saw Zoe Bertram gainfully employed as ‘Violette de Lutrelle’. In the 2018 TV series ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ played Miranda’s mother.
Zoe Bertram’s film credits include ‘Under the Lighthouse Dancing’ (1997) with Naomi Watts, Jack Thompson, and Jacqueline McKenzie. Despite the strong cast the film suffered from a weak script and ending, which important film critic David Stratton described as “hokey”.
Based on a true story, three couples spend a weekend on Rottnest Island, Western Australia. During the trip, one couple reveals their plans to get married.
When the bride-to-be shares the heartbreaking news that she is terminally ill, the group rallies together to ensure the wedding takes place before the weekend ends.
Zoe Bertram had a role in Kick (1999) which starred Russell Page from Bangarra Dance Theatre who plays Matt Grant, a champion rugby player who wants to be a ballet dancer.
Zoe Bertram co-stars in low-budget short indie film Vincent with Alan King, Christopher Kirby, Greg Fleet and Mercia Deane-Johns, due for release in 2024. Vincent follows the journey of a troubled writer, Vincent Tremblay, who retreats to a secluded hideaway to finish his first novel. His solitude is abruptly shattered as a dark force begins to close in, leading Vincent into a violent and cathartic awakening.
Zoe Bertram’s performances on stage, television and film demonstrate her ability to bring depth and relatability to her characters, earning her place in the hearts of Australian viewers.
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