19.8.1951 – 7.7.2025

Occasionally someone comes into your life who radiates a rare positivity, bringing sunshine into the gloomiest of days.

This week the Illawarra has lost one of those people with the passing of Cilla Aslanidis after a long and courageous battle with cancer. 

In 2023, Gordon Bradbery presented Cilla with a special Lord Mayoral Achievement Award for her lifetime of work, always going above and beyond. Much of this tribute to Cilla is from my nomination for her award. Cilla deserved every accolade she received, and many more.

Cilla and I first met when I joined WIN Television in the 1980s. She was the always smiling, always helpful, always creating, and always supporting kind of person you need to have around when you start a new job.

But Cilla's star had risen long before our paths crossed.

Cilla was one of WIN Television’s longest serving employees, starting her career as a teenager in 1969 before working across most areas of the Mt St Thomas television station until she retired 42 years later.

While the accolades, recognition and rewards for those who work in the television industry are usually reserved for those on camera, the vast majority of the ‘real work’ is done behind the scenes by people like Cilla.

Cilla worked on (and led) so many important projects and programs while she was with WIN. These included:

• Supporting the conversion from black and white to colour television in the 1970s.
• Producer of a documentary on the historic visit to Wollongong by Prince Charles and Lady Diana for the official opening of the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre.
• Executive producer of the variety show Susie, hosted by Susie Elelman.

Susie described Cilla as “extraordinary, absolutely amazing".

“When I joined WIN in 1974 I was wet behind the ears but Cilla was always there to support me and nothing was a bother. 

“I quickly discovered there was nothing that woman couldn’t do. Not only did she do it incredibly well, she never sought any of the accolades she deserved.”

Susie said Cilla and her husband Tony, who also worked at WIN, were a dynamic duo making “television magic” every day.

“When WIN asked me to come back to make my own variety show, Susie, I said I would do it on one condition, that Cilla was my producer.

“Cilla was truly incredible how she’d work a full day at WIN and then race off at night to put a show together.

“She truly was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. She never ever said a bad word about anyone.”

'Cilla's Telethons'

While Cilla worked across production, writing, and documentaries, without a doubt her biggest achievement was producing many Telethons for WIN Television in the 1980s and 1990s. Many regarded these significant, epic television events as ‘Cilla’s Telethons’ and again her herculean sleep-deprived efforts were conducted almost entirely behind the scenes.

‘Cilla’s Telethons’ raised many millions of dollars to support vital Illawarra community projects, including the creation of Alkira Lodge which provides accommodation for cancer and renal payments and their families who need to travel to Wollongong for treatment. Cilla also played the lead part in fundraising efforts to enable the purchase of the first linear accelerator for Wollongong Hospital, meaning local cancer patients no longer needed to travel to Sydney for treatment.

For decades, including long after she retired, Cilla has been the chief organiser for every significant WIN Television anniversary and staff reunion. The most recent, in late 2022, celebrated 60 years of television in Wollongong.

For well over a decade, every year, Cilla has organised around 10 Coniston Hotel lunchtime catch-ups for WIN ‘ex-pats’, which gave the opportunity for old work buddies to reminisce about the good old days.

Cilla gave back to the community she loved in so many ways. In its early years, Cilla served on the board of IPAC for some years and volunteered in support of the Guild Theatre when Bob Peat was director.

Arcadians lose a local icon

Cilla was a stalwart in the local theatre scene for many decades, again mainly behind the scenes; although she did take to the stage in the Arcadians' productions of Chicago and Carousel many years ago.

Cilla was humbled when she was made a life member of the Arcadians in 2016 in recognition of her 40 years volunteering and supporting the local theatre company. 

Arcadians president Steve Sanders said, "Between 2003 and 2020 Cilla produced or directed 12 major musicals with resounding box office success."

"Older style musicals such as The Pajama Game, Oklahoma, and Fiddler on the Roof to major box office hits such as Company, The Sound of Music and Jerry's Girls all benefited from her knowledge as to what worked on stage.

"Her experience at WIN TV gave her insights into what was entertaining to an audience and how to get the most from cast members and production teams alike.

"Cilla always enjoyed attending dress rehearsals to lend her support leading to opening night. It was only in the last year, much to her disappointment, that she was unable to attend due to her health issues.  She always passed on her best wishes to the production teams with her apologies.

"To devoted husband Tony and close family that Cilla cherished, we extend our deepest sympathies. Cilla has left a significant legacy for family and her creative spirit will live on in our minds for years to come.

"Her presence at the Miner’s Lamp Theatre will be sorely missed," Steve added.

Long-time WIN News presenter Geoff Phillips, one of Cilla's many friends, and a regular at the Conno Hotel lunches said simply: "Loved her work, her smile and organisational skills. A wonderful colleague and friend who will be greatly missed."

Heartfelt tributes on Facebook

Since news of Cilla's passing got out there have been hundreds of tributes on Facebook, all glowing in praise of a remarkable woman who has touched and changed so many lives for the better.

Elise Bedford wrote, "You always had the kindest heart." Nikole Neal described Cilla as "my other mum"; Amy Larsson said she was "a powerhouse woman" and "one in a million". Marienne Shepherd wrote a poem for her "truest friend", Rebekah Anne Mowbray thanked one of her "biggest cheerleaders" while Dylan Wright paid tribute to "the heartbeat behind so many shows", saying "What she gave to community theatre wasn't just time or effort. It was heart. It was legacy."

It's often said someone is a 'one in a million'. In Cilla Aslanidis's case, she absolutely fits the bill!

With thanks to Ben Pfeiffer for these parting words: "Cilla's passing will leave a huge hole in the Illawarra's community theatre scene, where she dedicated her heart, soul and passion with boundless generosity. Thank you for believing in so many young artists – you'll never know how much your heart kept some of us afloat. Love to Tony and your beautiful family.

Fly high dear Cilla."