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Suddenly everything is coming up rosesfor Toni LamondIn the space of two months, this leading lady of Australian music theatre has accepted a Centenary Medal for services to the community through the arts and earned a standing ovation at the Sydney Cabaret Convention. Now she is adding an AM (member in the general division) to her name. “It's overwhelming. Starting out at the Plaza, Northcote, the goal was always to star in a show, to have my name in lights, to have my name on a piece of sheet music," Lamond says. “Never in a million years was it to be on the Queen's Birthday Honours list and using words such as 'investiture' in a conversation!" Lamond's honour recognises her services to entertainment and the community through causes such as the Smith Family and Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. “Who are the first to put up their hands when money needs to be raised? The entertainers," she says. "We grab our evening frocks and false eyelashes and don't give a second thought to helping out." Lamond's 50-year career includes the musicals Pajama Game and Oliver, pioneering TV variety on IMT and writing two books. SIMON PLANT |