Wyong Woman of the Year 2025 Marney McQueen has taken time out from pulling beers at the pub she and husband Frank own to treading the boards as Celine Dion in the musical Titanique, currently playing at The Grand Electric in Sydney.
The show is a parody of the film, Titanic, and is narrated by Celine Dion (McQueen) who claims she was also on the ship the night it sank, telling the audience her version of the story.
The show has been described as laugh-out-loud funny with the Australian production being the first to open outside of New York where it is still running off-Broadway.
It’s the perfect show for McQueen whose background includes stand-up comedy and musical theatre.
The show opened in September last year and ticket sales go through to March this year.
“My agent called and said this show would be perfect for me,” she said.
“She sent me the script and I just loved it.
“It’s like a dream come true with musical theatre and stand-up comedy rolled into one.
“There’s a lot of audience interaction where Celine speaks to the audience directly.”
NIDA trained, McQueen’s background includes playing Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray, Marion in Priscilla Queen of the Desert – the Musical, and Nina in Dream Lover – the Bobby Darin Musical.
Her television credits include Chantelle Pennington in Neighbours, Charlie in Last Man Standing, Linda in The Pet Killer, and Home and Away.
She studied with Barry Humphries in New York and after seeing his show eight times, she went on to create her own comedy character Rosa Waxoffski, Celebrity Bikini Waxer, which she toured around the world at comedy festivals.
Born in Melbourne, she and husband Frank bought the Royal Hotel in Wyong just over seven years ago.
“My husband wanted to buy a pub and the Royal Hotel was for sale,” she said.
“We just jumped in the deep end and hoped for the best.
“I had never heard of Wyong before we bought the pub.”
Seven years on and it’s a different story for the couple who have raised more than $250,000 for local charities including for the local Wires Group which concentrates on treating wombats suffering with mange in the Jilliby and Dooralong areas.
It’s little wonder Member for Wyong David Harris has named her as Wyong Woman of the Year 2025 for her contribution to the Wyong and Central Coast community.
She has participated in the Friends of Wyong River Rubbish Clean Up and raised money for the group to continue their great work.
McQueen has volunteered to host the annual Wyong Christmas Carols, hosted the Wyong Business Awards and hosted events at The Art House.
She has created an annual event as part of the Love Lanes Festival called the Royal Wedding, where she volunteers to marry local couples who may not have been able to afford a wedding otherwise.
As a funeral celebrant she has been invited by many families to officiate the farewell gatherings of cherished local people, further connecting with the local area and its residents.
With two sons aged eight and 10, she has thrown herself into the school community and as a member of Jilliby Public School’s P&C, she has volunteered for working bees and fundraising raffles.
She is also a great supporter of Wyong Lakes Football Club, volunteering in the canteen and the barbecue fundraising and was team manager last year for the under-9s.
“We got so lucky, getting to know all these people in this town,” she said.
“There are so many people working hard in this community.
“I am very honoured to be named Wyong Woman of the Year.
“It’s so lovely to know David Harris has deemed what I have done for the community to be important.
“There are a lot of incredible women doing a lot for the Wyong community.
“It’s a real honour.”
Denice Barnes
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