Mary Machen

Awarded for service to arts and media; community advocacy and inclusion; literature; volunteering

Born: 19 April 1961

Entered on roll: 2023

"A creative talent"

Inspired by creative talent, Mary Machen has brought professionalism and innovation to the Launceston arts scene, helping to build the region’s reputation as a hub for significant cultural events.

Born in Launceston, Mary began her writing career as a cadet journalist for The Examiner newspaper in 1979. She worked interstate for more than 20 years, but her love for Launceston never dimmed. In 2002 Mary decided to move back to Launceston, where she rejoined The Examiner and immersed herself in the Launceston arts scene. For the past 20 years she has been an active volunteer member on cultural boards and management committees.

Her participation and engagement in cultural Launceston were the impetus for her becoming the arts writer for The Examiner for some seven years from 2009.

Most recently, Mary has brought her love of words and storytelling to an audience of more than 3,500 in total through her role as both President and then Festival Director of the Tamar Valley Writers Festival. She held these roles from 2017 until late 2022. The Tamar Valley Writers Festival has come to be recognised as one of Australia’s premier literary festivals, and Mary was influential in ensuring the festival withstood the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mary’s first board role, however, was with Festivale from 2003 to 2009. Since then, she has also served on the Junction Arts Festival Board; the QVMAG Arts Foundation; QVMAG Friends; and has been a co-convenor of the Friends of Theatre North. For three years she was a judge for the prestigious annual Theatre Council of Tasmania Awards.

Mary is also a life member of Design Tasmania.