A Spectacular Life

Mary's journey is a compelling narrative of a girl from a small country town who dared to dream big. Her passion and leadership changed the face of the Australian entertainment industry. Mary has been widely recognised for her work with an Order of Australia (1999) and an honorary doctorate (UWS 2010) as well as being the 2012 recipient of the APRA Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Service to Australian Music.

Creator of the Schools Spectacular as well as other major concerts and events, Mary's vision to provide a platform for young talent from the public education system has turned into the world's largest variety show, and is a testament to her perseverance, creativity and dedication.

The SS is more than just a show; it's a reflection of Mary's life and her unyielding belief in the power of dreams, her respect for human beings and her love of Australia. It's a stage where everyone can be a star. A world where neither disability, nor cultural differences defines a person. It is a platform where more than 190,000 students and their 30,000 teachers from the public education system have demonstrated both passion and skills over 42 years.

The Talent Development Project, the training program co-created by Mary, has turned out another family - a family of stars and wonderful human beings who have realised their dreams.

This work starts in the small country town of Paterson and charts the story of Mary's amazing career, finishing with her 80th birthday party in 2024. It follows the story of the creation and evolution of both the SS and the TDP, and includes many photos of music and entertainment industry greats as well as their testimonials about Mary and her impact on their careers.