Lynda Gibson

Lynda Jane Wiseman, known affectionately as “Gibbo,” graced the Australian entertainment scene as a comedian and actress from 21 March 1956 to 2 January 2004.

Gibbo’s journey in the comedy world began in local theatre, stand-up comedy, and in cabaret.

The 1990s saw Gibson in various television programs, including her iconic role as Matron Conniving-Bitch in the interactive spoof soap opera “Let the Blood Run Free,” adapted from The Blood Group’s live stage production. In 1993, Gibson joined forces with Sue Ingleton and Denise Scott in the stand-up comedy show Women Stand Up!

Her television repertoire expanded to include appearances on The Big Gig, Good News Week, Li’l Elvis and the Truckstoppers, and Blue Heelers. Notably, she portrayed Trish in the final series of Frontline and brought Evonne, one of Darryl Kerrigan’s neighbours, to life in the 1997 film The Castle.

In 2001, she showcased her talent in a poignant one-woman show at the Melbourne Fringe Festival titled Lynda, It’s Not Nasty, sharing her journey battling ovarian cancer. In 2003, she joined Judith Lucy and Denise Scott at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in Comedy Is Still Not Pretty.

Tragically, Lynda Gibson passed away in January 2004 after a valiant four-year battle with ovarian cancer. In her memory, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival established the “Golden Gibbo Award.” Posthumously, she was honoured with inclusion in the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2007.

Gibson’s contributions to Australian comedy and her courageous spirit continue to inspire and leave an indelible mark on the world of entertainment.