Australia Day Honours 2012
Congratulations to everyone listed on the Australia Day Honours list this year, particularly those making a difference in their musical community.
Among them are Mr John Graham CHRISTMASS (WA), recognised for his service to Music Education in Western Australia, and to choral performance. As well as his years of work as an educator he established The New I Voci Singers, Northam Bel Canto Singers, Northam Choral Society, Western Australian Secondary Schools' Choral Festival, and has been involved in many other musical activities in schools and the community. Another great contributor to community choral music, Mrs Shirley Edith GREEN (QLD), has also been recognised for her years of involvement with the Yeppoon Choral Society, since 1965, including her roles as founding member, Musical Director, President and now a Life Member.
Mrs Sheila Hamilton THOMPSON (ACT) has been recognised for "service to the community of Canberra as a church organist and musical director." She has served the community as Director of Music & Organist, St John the Baptist Anglican Church (since 1988), Co-Conductor, U3A Choral Studies Group (since 1994) and Volunteer Organist/Pianist; St Andrew's Village and Jindalee Nursing Homes (since 2001).
Ms Roma Lois DIX (NSW) has been recognised for service to the visually impaired, the performing arts, and to the community of Mittagong. I first met Roma in the pit orchestra for the Highlands Theatre Group almost 20 years ago and have seen the positive impact of both her participation in community music groups (as a flautist), and in particular her work as co-founder, co-director and coordinator of the National Braille Music Camp and as the driving force behind the restoration of Mittagong Memorial Hall as the "Mittagong Playhouse" (which is now a great venue).
Mr Peter Nicolaus ELLIS (VIC) receives recognition for his services to Australian Folk History and Heritage. He has been a member of the Emu Creek Bush Band, Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo, and has written a number of books including "Music Makes Me Smile", "The Waltz, Polka and all kinds of Dance music" and "The Merry Country Dance". Also recognised for his service to Australian folklore and traditional music is Mr Robert WILLIS (NSW) who has "contributed over 1,400 hours of original field recordings of individuals and communities from all over Australia, particularly in the field of traditional music, to the Oral History and Folklore Collection, National Library of Australia." Mr Willis also plays traditional instruments including the concertina, button accordian, banjo, mouth organ and whistle. Read more about the contributions of Peter Ellis and Robert Willis via the National Library of Australia.
Mr David Bosworick WILLIAMS (VIC) is recognised in this year's honours list for service to music education as a teacher, and to the performing arts, in what reads as an diverse list of community and educational music activities. These include teaching music at Lowanna College, serving as Musical Director for Warragul Theatre Company and Latrobe Theatre Company, conducting local concert bands, and being involved in Orchestra Victoria's mOVe! Program.
The unique contribution of Mr Mathiaparanam RAVICHANDHIRA (VIC) is recognised this year, in particular for his work with the Academy of Indian Music and Cultural Studies Australia. Everyone listed in this article has been awarded a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia, click here to see the full lists. Last but certainly not least, a special mention must go to conductor Richard Bonynge who has been awarded the highest of the Australia Day Honours, the Companion (AC) in the General Division of the Order of Australia.
Congratulations to all of those mentioned in this year's Australia Day Honours and thanks for your contributions to music in your community.
Alex Masso, 26 January 2012
nb. Apologies for anybody who has been overlooked in this article, feel free to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if there are any additions or corrections.
