Inside Ignatius Jones’ close bond with his famous Play School star sister Monica as she mourns his death aged 67

The Australian arts scene is in mourning following news of the death of beloved rock star Ignatius Jones at the age of 67.

And among those devastated by the news is his equally famous sister Monica Trapaga, 59, who announced Ignatius’ death in a statement on Wednesday.

Best known for her role as a presenter on the children’s program Play School, Monica shared a close bond with her big brother, both as siblings and as creative collaborators.

Ignatius rose to fame as a singer in the 1970s with his rock band Jimmy And The Boys, and then helped his sister break into the music industry by forming their jazz cabaret band Pardon Me Boys in 1985.

Monica was only 19 years old at the time.

The duo were joined by William O’Riordan aka Joylene Thornbird Hairmouth, who also performed with Ignatius’ original band Jimmy And The Boys.

With Monica on lead vocals, Pardon Me Boys released their self-titled debut album in 1988 to critical success.

She left the group and formed her own jazz band called Monica And The Moochers The Canberra Times in 1991: ‘I wanted to present myself more as a musician than as a comedian’.

Ignatius (left) rose to fame as a singer in the 1970s with his rock band Jimmy And The Boys, and helped his sister (right) break into the music industry by forming their jazz-cabaret band Pardon Me Boys in 1985.

She also told the newspaper that she had “outgrown” the group because “it wasn’t my band.”

However, she and Ignatius continued to work together into the 1990s, with her brother serving as TV director for several of her children’s music videos, including House (1996), Monica’s Seaside Adventure (1997), and Monica’s Trip to the Moon (1999).

It was Monica who first broke the news of her brother’s death on Wednesday.

Best known for her role as a presenter on the children’s program Play School, Monica shared a close bond with her big brother, both as siblings and as creative collaborators. (Monica is pictured on Play School with co-star David James)

“It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Ignatius Jones AM, after a short illness,” her statement began.

“His friends and family will remember Iggy as a bon vivant, a lively storyteller and a true Renaissance man, with a vast and passionate knowledge of history and art,” she added.

“Australia’s arts community has lost a champion, and his passing will make dinner parties less interesting.”

It was Monica who first broke the news of her brother’s death on Wednesday

Ignatius died Tuesday after a short illness at his home in the Philippines, leaving behind a legacy that spans decades in the art industry.

He is survived by his husband, Novy Bereber, his mother, Margot Martin, his sisters Rocio and Monica and brother Luis Miguel.

Born in 1957 in Manila, Jones was known as the lead singer of the shock rock band Jimmy And The Boys.

The band had a number of hits in the 1970s, including They Won’t Let My Girlfriend Talk To Me and I’m Not Like Everybody Else.

Ignatius died on Tuesday after a short illness at his home in the Philippines. He left a legacy that spans decades in the art industry.

Born in Manila in 1957, Jones is best known as the lead singer of the shock rock band Jimmy And The Boys

Jones worked as an events director in his later years, working on several major events, including the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.

He also acted as Artistic Director of the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade from 2011-2015 and Creative Director of Vivid Sydney from 2011-2019.

He was awarded an Order of Australia by Queen Elizabeth II as part of the Australia Day Honors in 2019 for his contributions to entertainment and literature.

Jones married his longtime partner Novy Bereber, a Filipino-Australian choreographer, in October 2018.

Ignatius leaves behind a legacy that spans several decades in the art industry. (Pictured with husband Novy Bereber)