Deborah Ann Conway AM (OL 1977)

Is a proud Old Lauristonian and is a recipient of the Australia Day Honours Award for significant service to the performing arts as a singer, songwriter and producer.

After finishing School, Deborah went to Melbourne University – modelled for Bluegrass jeans, Big M and Crunchie, and sang her way through!

At the age of 18, Deborah started playing guitar, and in 1980 she joined The Benders as a vocalist whilst still at university. It is reported that her father was so concerned when she joined the pop band that he sent her to a psychiatrist! The band performed mostly in Melbourne pubs playing original material – some written by Deborah – and Blondie and Devo covers.

Deborah is a significant and eloquent contributor to Australian music, singing songs that chronicle the essential elements of life, love, loss, memory, the mundane and the spiritual. Restless and confounding, her powerful voice and presence has fascinated audiences for over 40 years. A rare female agitator in a time when the music industry was male dominated; Deborah Conway continues to be a role model for young women and a mentor to emerging artists.