Veteran performer Toni Lamond, a leading figure in Australian musical theatre, cabaret, television and variety over eight decades, has died at the age of 93. 

Born in Sydney on 29 March 1932, Lamond was the daughter of vaudeville entertainers Stella Lamond and Joe Lawman and by the age of 10 she was singing on radio and touring in variety shows with her parents.

Lamond’s career took off in the early 1950s on the vaudeville and revue circuit, including a stint on the celebrated Tivoli Theatre circuit and a breakthrough leading-lady role – aged 19 – alongside the veteran British comedian Tommy Trinder in 1952. 

She toured Australia and New Zealand for two years with Trinder and, at the end of that, time married dancer Frank Sheldon. True to form, they formed a song and dance act. During a season at Chequers nightclub in Sydney, Toni and Frank were approached by a J.C. Williamson Theatres representative. In 1956, Lamond was cast as “Babe” Williams in The Pajama Game – at a time when it was customary to import an overseas star.

Toni Lamond (1932-2025)

Over subsequent decades “Lolly legs” Lamond (a nickname...