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Mazzella was born in London to an Irish-Scottish-Burmese mother and an Italian father. She migrated to Perth in the 1960s and has become a prominent performer within the Australian folk music scene with four awards from the Western Australian Music Industry Association. Her play 'Waterfront Women' was performed by Fremantle's Deckchair Theatre.
2011Order of Australia —
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)For service to the performing arts as a singer and songwriter, and to the community, through the development of musical projects promoting awareness of multicultural, refugee and Indigenous experiences.
'The true story of Mavis, an 86 year old retired haberdasher from regional Victoria. Stung into action by the suffering of the East Timorese, Mavis took her sewing machines to Timor and set about making a practical contribution. Amid the destruction and buoyed by the people's overwhelming faith Mavis tackles the bureaucracy. This work is based on stories told by Mavis Taylor, Elwyn Taylor and the women of East Timor.' Libraries Australia record.