Max Kay

{{Short description|Scottish-Australian entertainer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

File:11 Nov gnangarra-24.jpg

Max Kay {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AM}} (1936 – 4 June 2019) was an Australian entertainer, restaurateur and local politician. Born in Scotland, he moved to Perth, Western Australia in 1967, where he was known for his theatre restaurants and involvement in public life.

Kay began his career as a performer in Scotland, and toured internationally as the manager of fellow Scottish entertainer Andy Stewart. Kay emigrated to Perth in 1967.{{cite news |last1=Hedley |first1=Kate |title=Curtain falls for one of Perth's most loved entertainers |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/curtain-falls-for-one-of-perth-s-most-loved-entertainers-20190605-p51uqd.html |accessdate=25 June 2019 |work=WAtoday |date=5 June 2019 |language=en}} In 1976, he opened the Civic Theatre Restaurant in Inglewood, where he performed shows he wrote and produced himself. In 1980, Kay spent $1 million converting an old factory in Highgate to hold an expanded Civic Theatre,{{cite news |title=Max Kay Care & Ageing Expo |url=https://www.communitynews.com.au/eastern-reporter/news/ageing-disgracefully-entertainer-max-kay-to-present-show-at-care-ageing-expo/ |accessdate=25 June 2019 |work=Community News Group |date=10 July 2017 |language=en}} which ran until he closed it in 2001.{{Citation | author1=Stevenson, Kinder & Scott Corporate Photography | author2=HRRC | title=Max Kay of the Civic Theatre Restaurant | publication-date=1969 | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/15203504 | accessdate=23 June 2019 }}{{Citation | title=TITLE: Immigration – Migrants in the arts and entertainment in Australia – Max Kay, from Britain, top night club entertainer in Perth|publication-date=1969 | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/231000857 | accessdate=23 June 2019 }}

After moving on from the theatre restaurants he continued to perform one-man shows,{{cite web|url=http://www.astortheatreperth.com/events/evening-max-kay/|title=An Evening With Max Kay|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mandurahmail.com.au/story/4051620/max-kay-spends-an-evening-with-mandurah-locals-photos/|title=Max Kay spends an evening with Mandurah locals – Photos|first=Marta Pascual|last=Juanola|date=25 July 2016|website=Mandurah Mail}} but concentrated on charity work, as a councillor on the Perth City Council, and as member of several boards.{{Citation | title=Max Kay for Perth Lord Mayor in 2007 | publication-date=2007 | publisher=Max Kay | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/232787977 | accessdate=23 June 2019 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.perth.wa.gov.au/news-and-updates/all-news/vale-max-kay|title=Vale Max Kay|website=www.perth.wa.gov.au}}{{cite web|url=https://www.prostate.org.au/news-media/news/vale-max-kay-am/|title=Vale Max Kay AM – PCFA|website=www.prostate.org.au}} He was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2003 for his work with charities and community projects.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessnews.com.au/Person/Max-Kay-0|title=Max Kay|website=Business News}} He continued his involvement with Curtin Radio 100.1 FM well into his later years.{{cite web|url=https://www.maxkay.com.au/|title=MAX KAY – Entertainer & Entrepreneur|website=maxkay.com.au}}

Kay died on 4 June 2019, at the age of 82, from complications of pneumonia.{{cite web|url=https://thewest.com.au/news/perth/perth-entertainer-councillor-max-kay-dead-ng-b881221213z|title=Iconic Perth entertainer Max Kay dies in hospital|date=5 June 2019|website=The West Australian}}{{cite web|url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/curtain-falls-for-one-of-perth-s-most-loved-entertainers-20190605-p51uqd.html|title=Curtain falls for one of Perth's most loved entertainers|first=Kate|last=Hedley|date=5 June 2019|website=WAtoday}}{{cite web|url=https://www.triplem.com.au/article/legendary-perth-entertainer-and-councillor-max-kay-has-died-139867|title=Legendary Perth Entertainer And Councillor Max Kay Has Died|website=Triple M}} His memorial service was at His Majesty's Theatre, Perth on 22 June, and was attended by almost a thousand people.{{cite web|url=https://thewest.com.au/news/perth/max-kays-wife-norma-hopes-fun-filled-memorial-at-his-majestys-theatre-will-help-healing-ng-b881224233z|title=Max Kay’s wife flags fun-filled memorial|date=7 June 2019|website=The West Australian}}Sunday Times June 23, 2019, page 21. Lisa Thomas Kay maxes out theatre The event was opened with the Rockingham City Pipe Band playing in Hay Street, and continued in the theatre. His son, Gary Kay, gave the eulogy.{{cite news |title=Perth bids farewell to much-loved entertainer Max Kay |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/perth-bids-farewell-to-much-loved-entertainer-max-kay-ng-b881223891z |accessdate=25 June 2019 |work=The West Australian |date=22 June 2019 |language=en}}