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The first year:

Arrival in Melbourne from England, March 1888:

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. (1888, March 31). The Argus Melbourne
MARCH 30
Cuzco R.M S S
For Melbourne-from London
Mr and Mrs Fairbairn and child,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article6113953

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Mention in the social pages a week after arriving

[Note: below article truncated for brevity's sake. Omitted discussion of Reginald Fairbairn's ancestry and family connections]

Social. (1888, April 6). Table Talk (Melbourne)

We notice that among the passengers who arrived from England on Friday, last by RMS, Cuzco, were Mr, and Mrs Fairbairn. The latter, who is perhaps, better known by her malden name of Miss May Holt, is,
the only sister of the well-known comedian Mr. Bland Holt. This lady is much appreciated in the
old country, not only as an admirable actress, but also as an authoress of considerable merit,
several of her plays, both dramas and comedies, having secured success  both in London and the English provinciial towns.
She married some elght years ago Mr, Reglnald Fairbairn, an English barrister, son of Sir Thomas Fairbairn Bart,
We do not know whether this talented lady intends making any lengthened stay among us,
but if she does, we trust we shall be given an opportunity of judging of her abilities which, as we have
said, have been spoken of in the highest terms by both press and public of the United Kingdom.
[...]
Mr. and Mrs, Reginald Falrbalrn are staying at Menzie's Hotel.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146711720

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Advertisement running in Melbourne papers through October 1888:

Miss May Holt (the Hon. Mrs.Fairbairn), sister of Mr. Bland Holt,
and herself a well-known and popular dramatist and actress, has arrived in
Melbourne, and. will most, probably be appearing in some of hero own plays at
the A|exandra Theatre shortly. Mr. Alfred Dampier is negotiating with
her for the event.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article209736249

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Novemember 1888 acted in her own play Men and Women in Hobart:

Theatre Royal. 1888, November 13 - Tasmanian News (Hobart)
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article163548377

AMUSEMENTS. 1888, December 8 Leader Melbourne
Mr. Harry St. Maur lhs been playing Mr.
Barnes of New York at Hobart, with fair results.
Miss May Holt is included in tho cast.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196424078

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Debut in Melbourne:

THEATRICAL GOSSIP. (1889, January 3). Melbourne Punch

—Miss May Holt, a sister to our boy Bland, is shortly
to throw in her lot with the Dampiers at the Alexandra
Theatre. She will produce some of her own pieces, which
have already scored successfully in London.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article174594623

1889, February 2. Leader (Melbourne)
Miss May Holt, tho sister of Mr. Bland Holt,
has been in Melbourne some months, and will
shortly bo enabled to make acquaintance with
colonial playgoers in several new pieces, the
Australian rights of which she has purhased
from the authors. This lady will make her
debut in a melodrama, enitled Every Man for
Himself, her own production. It has been
played in England with marked success.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article198067844


(1889, March 4). The Argus (Melbourne)

THE ALEXANDRA THEATRE.

 “Marvellous Melbourne” gave place on
Saturday evening, at the Alexandra Theatre
to the drama “Every Man for Himself,” in
which Miss May Holt, daughter of Mr
Clarence Holt, and sister of Mr Bland,
made her debut in Australia.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article6227189