Margaret Nisbett, MBE

At 18 years old, Preston born Margaret Nisbett was selected to play the role of Gilda in the opera 'Rigoletto' at the Princess Theatre, as part of the National Theatre Movement. In 1954, she left Australia for England and enjoyed a very successful career including a season with the Dublin Grand Opera Company, before moving to the Carl Rosa Opera Company, then the Sadlers Wells Opera Company. After extensive touring of Europe Nisbett returned home and appeared regularly on the ABC.  She later replaced June Bronhill in the lead role of Maria in the musical the 'Sound of Music'. In 1980 she was awarded the MBE for her services to music. In recent years Nisbett worked with the Melba Conservatorium of Music. She passed away on the 2nd of July 2023. She was 94. 

Preston Historical Society (1968). Brief biographies of prominent Preston People. Preston, Vic: Author.