Margaret Scott (dancer)

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Dame (Catherine) Margaret Mary Scott, AC DBE (born 26 April 1922 in Johannesburg, South Africa) arrived in Australia in 1947 on tour with the Ballet Rambert and stayed there. She danced with the Sadler's Wells Ballet, appointed a principal dancer in 1941, and Ballet Rambert as a principal from 1943 to 1948.

In Australia, she danced with the National Theatre Ballet Company as a principal. She participated in the negotiations with the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust that led to the formation of the Australian Ballet in 1962, and in 1964 was appointed director of the Australian Ballet School, heading the school until 1990.

She appeared in Graeme Murphy's version of The Nutcracker in the 1992, 1994 and 2000 seasons.

She represents Australia on the Council of the World Dance Alliance.

Margaret Scott was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1976, and Dame Commander in 1981. She has been the recipient of many other honours and awards including the award for lifetime achievement at the 1998 Australian Dance Awards.

In 1953, she married Derek Denton (later Emeritus Professor Derek Denton), founder of the Howard Florey Institute.