FRANKY SMART (aka) CLAIRE WALTERS
Franky Smart (aka Claire Walters) is a dynamic and experienced MC, performer, and host who brings energy, warmth, and professionalism to every stage she steps on. With a background in live performance, music, and cabaret, Claire has entertained audiences across Australia and internationally, from large-scale festivals and global brand activations to corporate events, sporting functions, and gala dinners. She is known for her ability to read a room, elevate the atmosphere, and seamlessly guide audiences through an event with confidence and charisma.
Claire has worked alongside some of Australia’s most celebrated talent, including Bert Newton, Patti Newton, Rhonda Burchmore, Rob Mills, Ian Moss, and more. As a seasoned performer and frontwoman of her band Franky Smart, she combines strong stage presence with quick wit, making her a natural and engaging host. Whether it’s a high-energy festival crowd or an intimate corporate audience, Claire delivers a polished, memorable experience every time.
Latest Stories
"During Brisbane City Council's meeting on Tuesday, entertainer Franky Smart led the councillors in a kazoo rendition of Waltzing Matilda during a public presentation to the chamber."
FRANKY SMART BAND
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FCM Meetings & Events
"It's a pleasure that we get to work with such talented artists who make us look good.
I want to emphasise how rare and helpful it is to have bands that are eager to chat to AV directly in the lead up, who arrive on time and can rehearse quickly with no fuss. Chatting with the AV guys, they mentioned how impressive it is for you to mix your own audio and also how quickly you managed to rehearse.
They said they've seen a lot of bands in their time and you were the best they'd come across in a very long time. Pitch perfect the entire night and you were all so in sync. You guys are a true talent and great at what you do so thank you for sharing it with us.
The client was super happy with how the night went and wanted to pass her thanks on to you all. Cannot wait to work with you guys again on the next one."
Angela and James
"Hi Claire, This is very late, but we wanted to say a HUGE thank you to you and your band for your fabulous performance on our wedding day.
We were blown away when we first heard about how amazing you all were, and we were so excited to share that with our guests. Everyone is still commenting on how good the music was! You all added to the relaxed party vibe we were aiming for.
Thank you again for playing a massive role in making our day everything we dreamed of"
Loud Events
"The attendees very much enjoyed the band. They didn’t even wait until dessert was served to hit the dance floor!"
Franky Smart also attempted a Metallica inspired Happy Birthday for one of the delegates. Now that's flexibility!
FRANKY SMART
Major Events & Festivals
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FIFA Women’s World Cup Fan Festival (Brisbane) - MC
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“A Day on the Green” – Florence + The Machine Tour - MC
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Brisbane Festival (2018–2023) – Performer, Dancer & MC (including Riverfire & Festival Friends)
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Pangaea Festival (TAS) – Performer with Tom Thum
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Adelaide Fringe Festival – Performer with Tom Thum & Jamie MacDowell
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Taranaki Arts Festival (NZ) – Performer
Corporate & Brand Events
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Creator Economy Summit (AACTA Awards x Screen QLD) – MC
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Brand USA: Great USA Road Trip (with United Airlines) – MC
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Volvo Gala Dinner – MC & Performer
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Gold Coast Tourism Gala Dinner (HOTA) – Performer
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Zambrero Gala Ball – MC & Performer
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PepsiCo Corporate Event – MC & Performer
Sporting & Community Events
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Bridge to Brisbane (5 consecutive years) – MC, Performer & Hype Host
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QLD Cricket Awards – MC & Performer
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Broncos Season Launch – MC & Performer
Social, Cultural & Live Events
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Ipswich Civic Centre 50 Year Celebration – MC & Performer
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International Women’s Day Brunch – MC
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Union College Ball (4 consecutive years) – MC
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UQ Gala Night – MC & Performer
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New Farm Deli – Long Italian Lunch – MC & Performer
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QLD Cabaret Festival – Performer
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Scandalous Cabaret (2025) – Featured Singer & Host
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Mary Mae’s Valentine’s Event (2025) – MC, DJ & Singer
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Ipswich City Art Gallery (2024) – DJ
Performance Highlights
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Featured Singer – Flexing Skillz (QPAC Cremorne Theatre, 2023 – Winning Team)
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BV’s – Washington (The Tivoli, 2022)
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Vocalist Mentor & BV’s – CGEN State School On Stage (2022–2023)
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MC – CGEN State School On Stage Finals
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Boy & Girl (Oscar Pro Co) – 2017 to 2023
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Brisbane Cabaret Festival – Seven on Sinatra
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Melt Festival – #LikeMariah (Brisbane Powerhouse)
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Rhonda Burchmore’s Bang Bang (Brisbane Festival Spiegel Tent)
FRANKY SMART BAND
FRANKY SMART BAND is fronted by ... you guessed it... FRANKY SMART and have been performing locally, nationally, and internationally for over a GAZILLION years. (That's a long time...)
Collectively, they have worked alongside some of Australia’s finest talent including. Here's a sneaky list for you:
(the late) Bert Newton || (the late) Doug Parkinson || (the late) Olivia Newton John || Patti Newton || Rhonda Burchmore || Robert Mills || Hugh Sheridan || Charles Esten || Peter Combe || Cherry Poppin' Daddies || Bob Downe || Keith Urban || Anthony Warlow || Kate Cebrano || Jimmy Barnes || Delta Goodrem || Ian Moss || John Farnham || James Morrison || Tommy Emmanuel || Jim Lauderdale || Samantha Jade.
LIFE FLIGHT GALA BALL - 2026 - SUNSHINE COAST
WOMEN IN DIGITAL AWARDS - 2020 + 2025 + 2026 - Brisbane City Hall
OCEANIC PALLIATIVE CARE CONFERENCE - 2025 - BRISBANE CONVENTION CENTRE
PORSCHE CLUB - 2025 - BRISBANE
PROVIDORE PARK - 2025 - ROMA STREET PARKLAND
BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL 150 YEARS GALA BALL - 2025 - Brisbane City Hall
QUANTUM AUSTRALIA - 2025 - BCEC
PARALYMPIC AUSTRALIA - 2024 - Gold Coast
WOMEN IN SAFETY AWARDS - 2024 - Cloudland
SAPPHIRE GALA - 2026 / 2023 / 2024 - Howard Smith Wharves
BRIDGE TO BRISBANE - 2025 / 2024/ 2023 / 2022 / 2021 Gateway Bridge Main Stage - Sponsored by Transurban
SPARK FESTIVAL - 2024 - Ipswich
NEWSTEAD HOUSE RE-LAUNCH - 2024 - Newstead House
BRISBANE AIRPORT CORPORATION - 2024 - Thomas Dixon Centre
QASSP CONFERENCE - 2024 - The Tivoli
THE PRINCESS THEATRE Vendors and Friends Night - 2024 - The Princess Theatre
BUPA GALA DINNER - 2024 - RACV Royal Pines Resort
ROCHE KICK OFF GALA DINNER - 2024 - Sheraton Grand Mirage
LASER SKIN CLINICS GALA DINNER - 2024 - The Calile Hotel
GREAT AUSTRALIAN BITE FESTIVAL - 2024 - Southbank Parklands (HEADLINE ACT)
ASIAN EXIM BANKING FORUM - 2023 - THE FOUR SEASONS (SYDNEY)
BRIDGESTONE NATIONAL GALA DINNER - 2023- Sheraton Grand Mirage
DINNER EN BLANC - 2023 - Roma Street Parklands
LEXUS BRISBANE - 2023 - Melbourne Cup 2023 - Howard Smith Wharves
FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP - 2023 Brisbane (Meaanjin) FIFA Fanfestival
WYNNUM HALLOWEEN PARADE - 2023
BRONCOS NETWORKING BALL - 2023 - The Tivoli
PEPSICO - 2023 - Private Corporate Function
JAZZ ON THE GREEN - 2022 - Headline Act on the Main Stage
BRISBANE JAZZ CLUB - Franky Smart 2017 / 2018 / 2022
WORKPAC GALA - 2022 - Crystalbrook Byron Bay
ZAMBRERO GALA BALL - 2022 - Q1 Gold Coast
VOLVO Gala Dinner - 2022 - The Princess Theatre
TOYOTA GALA Dinner - 2022 - Sanctuary Cove Intercontinental
BEER AND SAUSAGE FESTIVAL - 2020 - Southbank Gardens
TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AWARDS - 2020 - BCEC
ISAGENIX GALA DINNER - 2025 + 2019 / 2020 Brisbane & GOLD COAST
BRONCOS SEASON LAUNCH - 2020 - Fortitude Music Hall
BRISBANE FESTIVAL - 2018 / 2019 / 2020 / 2021 / 2022 / 2023
RECEIPT BANK FUNCTION - 2019 - Sydney Opera House
LIFT BRANDS AUSTRALIA GALA DINNER - 2019 - Novotel Twin Waters
BACKYARD BONANZA - 2019 - Bracken Ridge
MAYORS CHARITY BALL - 2019 - Kingaroy
AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTS QLD STATE AWARDS - 2019 - Howard Smith Wharves
LORD MAYORS BUSINESS AWARDS - 2019 - Brisbane City Hall
BROOKWATER "DRESS CIRCLE" OFFICIAL OPENING - 2019 - Brookwater
BRISBANE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE - Pre-Show VIP for Michael Bublé and Naturally 7
BRISBANE POWERHOUSE - Boy and Girl (Oscar Theatre Company)
HONG KONG UDDERBELLY - With Tom Thum and Jamie MacDowell
NEW FARM DELI - Long Italian Lunch - 2015 / 2016 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019
XEROCON 2018 / 2019 - Brisbane Convention Centre
MANIFEST FESTIVAL - Franky Smart Band 2016
REGIONAL FLAVOURS - Franky Smart - Southbank, QLD 2016
MND & ME GALA BALL - Franky Smart 7 Piece - RNA Convention Centre 2016
GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY ALUMNI AWARDS NIGHT - Franky Smart 2016/2017/2018
HOTEL GRAND CHANCELLOR - AMHOIC 2017
Franky Smart Ft. Troll Doll
Bang Bang at the Courier Mail Spiegeltent
Franky Smart Ft. Troll Doll