Jill Walker's commitment to arts and creativity recognised

For one Rotorua woman, receiving a New Year Honour is an achievement for both her and the local community.

Jill Walker has been awarded the Queen's Service Medal for services to art and children.

Walker is an artist and community arts advocate who has contributed to meaningful arts projects in Rotorua for more than 30 years.

Trained as an accountant, Walker taught small business courses that helped community work co-operatives and trusts in the 1980s.

Through this work, she realised the transformative power of community arts.

She has since focused on enabling children and families through creative expression.

She has facilitated opportunities for young people to have their artworks celebrated and visible in public spaces.

Examples include Rotorua's Lantern Festival and Ignite Lantern Parade, the Community Street Banner Rotorua Project to transform city public spaces, the night-time children's book event Night Magic and Tales by Torchlight, poppy-making workshops for Anzac Day, Sky Art Projects and Music Month.

Rotorua's Jill Walker is a Queen's Service Medal recipient for services to art and children. Photo/Stephen Parker

She has co-ordinated the Rotorua Children's Day celebration for 20 years.

Since 1990 she has performed as part of the story music performance duo The Travelling Tuataras.

Walker was a founding member of Waiariki Art Workers in the Community Trust, was heavily involved in the development of the Rotorua Arts Village in 2002, and was on the committee to establish the Rotorua Children's Art House.

She told the Rotorua Daily Post it was a bit of a shock when she got the news - "I imagine it is for most people."

Walker said it was such an honour and it felt wonderful because it was also an achievement for the communities, children and families she had worked with, as well as her own family.

"Over the years I've been part of so much fun where communities have engaged and gathered together to celebrate outdoor spaces through using them for performance or art installations or telling stories."

She said a highlight would be the Mr Sea and Mr Sun event held at the Government Gardens 20 years ago this February.

"It was a pretty fantastic thing because it involved such a range of the community and it was accessible because a lot of it was no cost and it enabled a wide variety of the community to come together - it stands out."

She has also enjoyed a number of events which have allowed children's artwork to be presented publicly, such as Children's Day, the entrance way at Glenholme School and banner projects.

"I'm so lucky, it's been a privilege. It's been really hard and challenging at times but that's what life is about.

"I'm definitely a half full glass person and there are never a shortage of opportunities."

Awards Walker has received for her work include Zonta Award 2017, Rotorua Lakes Council Community Award 2016, Kiwibank Local Hero Award 2016, and New Zealand Children's Art House Foundation Award, The Artists Most Contributing to Children, 2016.