In 2013, Mary received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Australian Event Awards, the pinnacle awards program for the events industry in Australia. This award recognises an individual that has made a remarkable contribution to the Australian Events Industry over a sustained period of time; making a significant contribution to events in Australia and in so doing have done much for the way Australia is perceived overseas.
The Australian Event Awards ‘Lifetime Achievement Awards’ are given to recipients for their incredible creativity, innovation and dedication to Australia’s iconic events culture. In outlining the reasoning for this award, the Australian Event Awards noted Mary’s passion for nurturing talented young people which led her to be the founding Producer and Director of the Schools Spectacular, directing the Schools Spectacular celebration of Public Education for 25 years and continuing to be involved as Emeritus Director. In addition, they mentioned the development of the Talent Development Project (TDP) in 1991, assuming the role of Artistic Director of this unique program since its inception, which prepares exceptionally gifted young performers for careers in the music and entertainment industry. They also noted her instrumental role in creating TDP’s ‘Bound for Broadway’ scholarships in conjunction with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).