Producer gets an Order of Australia Medal.

Australian comedy promoter Mary Tobin - who has helped decades of British comics perform down under - has been honoured with an Order of Australia Medal.

The accolade, announced on Australia Day, recognises her 'service to the performing arts through administrative roles'.

She has been presenting comedy shows since 1986, first at Melbourne's pioneering Last Laugh comedy club and then across the Australian festival circuit. 

She specialised in presenting international acts and has worked with the likes of Dylan Moran, Ardal O’Hanlon, Stephen K Amos Ed Byrne, Dara O Briain, Paul Merton, Tommy Tiernan and Seann Walsh.

Tobin has also staged shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, and worked in cabaret, magic, music and theatre as well as comedy.

She said: 'I’m honoured to receive the Medal of the Order of Australia today and would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to my family for all their support and of course the amazing talented artists, with whom we have the privilege of working.'

Order of Australia Medals are handed out by the governor-general on behalf of the King and it entitles Tobin to put OAM after her name.

Susan Provan, the artistic director of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, was made an Officer of The Order Of Australia (AO) in 2018.

Published: 27 Jan 2024