Skip to Content
Department of Premier and Cabinet

Divisions

Contact Details

By phone
Find the number of a specific division or office to contact them directly or call Service Tasmania on 1300 135 513.

Our staff
Use the Tasmanian Government Directory to find staff contact details

Mavis Beven

Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women logo
Mavis Beven

Awarded for service to the Arts

Born: 1928

Entered on roll: 2006


Mavis Beven was born in Hobart in July 1928. At the age of 11 she sang for troops at the old Brighton camp and after a period as a child entertainer, she undertook vocal training. At the age of 22 she began her career as a soprano performing both locally and nationally under her maiden name, Mavis Brinckman.

For the next 34 years, Mavis performed in many leading roles for the National Theatre and Fine Arts Society, the Elizabethan Trust Opera, the Theatre Royal Light Opera Company, ABC Television, the Tasmanian Opera Company, and the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music.

Mavis was one of Tasmania’s leading sopranos from the 1950s to the 1980s. She has made an outstanding contribution to the musical and theatrical life of Tasmania. In the 1950s she was offered the opportunity to join the Elizabethan Trust Opera (forerunner to Opera Australia) as a soloist. However, with a young family, she decided to stay in Tasmania, ensuring Tasmanian musical and theatrical audiences could enjoy an artist of national quality.

As well as continuing her professional career in Tasmania, Mavis performed concerts for the Derwent Regional Library from 1980-94 and for many years has delighted residents at the Glenview Home for the aged with her performances.

Mavis has been an active member of the City of Hobart Eisteddfod Society since 1980. She has performed many roles during that time and has been awarded life membership of the Society. Mavis is also a Life Member of the Arts Club, Hobart, and has served in a number of roles within that organisation.

Mavis is well respected within the Tasmanian musical and theatrical communities and has inspired and supported many young artists who have gone on to acquire national and international success.

Although retired from her professional stage career, Mavis and her husband perform at an annual concert at Wrest Point Casino that always draws a large and appreciative audience.

<< Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women