Movie star Joan not your typical cat lady

JOAN Dunlop is not a typical cat-lady.

Sitting regally beneath a roaring tiger print in her lounge room turned film studio, she radiated the charisma of a movie star - or letter-writing royalty.

Despite her shrinking frame you get the feeling there is something larger-than-life about this character.

These suspicions were confirmed when she poured herself a mid-morning gin and tonic and offered it around to a roomful of 20-somethings.

The prolific letter-writing career which has earned Mrs Dunlop Toowoomba celebrity status has also become the subject of a student documentary entitled 10,000 Letters to the Editor.

Queensland University of Technology filmmakers are producing the short film which will celebrate the 40-year strong career of Toowoomba's beloved wordsmith.

QUT student and film director Lonnie Gilroy read her letters growing up in Toowoomba and immediately thought of her for his university project.

"We had to do a single camera production. I've always been a fan of Joan's letters and I thought who would be better for the project than her," he said.

"I enjoy her irreverent style, you never know what you're going to get with Joan. She's a bit of a character and has lived a full life."

Mr Gilroy said he liked the idea of every town having someone who writes letters.

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Movie star Joan not your typical cat lady