Iconic South Australian identity Tanya Powell dies

One of South Australia’s most loved and respected businesswomen has passed away.

• MORE: Four decades of the Tanya Powell Agency

Adelaide’s first lady of modelling Tanya Powell has passed away.

The founder of Tanya Powell Model Agency died on Saturday, aged 72, after a long battle with ovarian cancer.

Ms Powell started her renowned Adelaide-based business, which also had a branch in Melbourne, in 1975.

Tanya Powell has died, aged 72. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Tanya Powell in 2003. Picture: Advertiser library

Tanya Powell in 2005. Picture: Advertiser library

She was responsible for launching the careers of Peter O’Brien, Annie Jones and Sharon Johal, who found fame in Neighbours, and Laura Csortan, who represented Australia in the 1997 Miss Universe and Miss World pageants and also worked in television.

International models Matt Ingham and Alessio Alia, were also Tanya Powell Model Agency discoveries.

Neighbours star Peter O'Brien (right) with Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue in 1987.

Annie Jones, pictured with Rachel Friend and Jessica Muschamp on the Neighbours set, was also discovered by Tanya Powell.

However, Ms Powell was known and loved for remembering every young person she taught grooming, deportment and etiquette.

When she retired and sold the agency in 2015, after four decades in business, she had trained more than 20,000 teenagers and young adults.

Powell was responsible for launching the career of Neighbours actor Sharon Johal.

International model Matt Ingham was a Tanya Powell agency discovery.

Laura Csortan who represented Australia in the 1997 Miss Universe and Miss World pageants and also worked in television was a Tanya Powell discovery.

International model Alessio Alia and Tanya Powell.

“I’m extremely proud of my girls and boys – past and present,” Ms Powell told The Advertiser at the time, adding: “As I leave this business, I would like to be remembered for the quality and professionalism of my models who have for many years graced the catwalks of this city and beyond … I hope I’ve made a contribution to the community of this wonderful state of ours.”

Tanya Powell in the late 1980s. Picture: Advertiser library

Tanya Powell in 2007. Picture: Advertiser library

Tanya Powell in 2010. Picture: Advertiser library

Ms Powell produced and directed the annual National Elders Wool Fashion Awards in the mid-1990s, identifying up-and-coming young fashion designers, such as Collette Dinnigan.

She was also a weather presenter with Channel 9 and a jazz ballet teacher in the 1970s and always a great supporter of charities, including The Advertiser Foundation and Ice Factor.

She is survived by her husband Jack, son Luke and sister Candy.

Originally published as Iconic South Australian identity Tanya Powell dies