Toni Lamond on In Melbourne Tonight

Early in her long-running show business career, entertainer Toni Lamond (1932–2025) made television history.

Her regular appearances led to her hosting In Melbourne Tonight in 1961, reportedly making her the first woman in the world to compere a variety television show.

This sketch is from the 1000th episode of In Melbourne Tonight. Lamond is playing tram conductor 'Florrie Johnston from Pascoe Vale', while Eric Pearce is a TV news reporter trying to interview her about a tram-wide courtesy campaign.

While best known for her extensive stage work, Lamond's television acting credits included Number 96 (1972) and Division 4 (1974) in Australia, as well as appearances on top-rated US shows such as Starsky & Hutch (1977), Eight Is Enough (1979), The Love Boat (1985) and Murder, She Wrote (1986). Her Australian film credits included Spotswood (1991) and Razzle Dazzle (2007).

She passed away in November 2025, at age 93.