New Year's Honours: Daphne Christophers

After being involved in Rotorua's music scene for more than 60 years, the well known and loved Daphne Christophers had been awarded a Queen's Service Medal.

Mrs Christophers first performed in the Rotorua Competitions in 1945 and has been going strong ever since.

She was involved in entertainment for a number of clubs and official ceremonies, a member of the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust for more than 10 years, and was a regular organist and pianist for a number of Rotorua funeral directors.

Despite a recent move to Tauranga, Mrs Christophers is still involved in Rotorua's music scene and is an enthusiastic member of her church choir. She plays the piano, organ and keyboard and is also a talented singer.

Mrs Christophers spoke of the medal as being a "terrific honour''. She said she had "many, many years'' of pleasure in both teaching music and performing.

"Music really is my life's pleasure. Rotorua has a very good music record. I've been involved with the Rotorua Competition Society more or less since it started, now the New Zealand Arias are the biggest singing competition in the country.''

She was also an associate of the Institute of Registered Music Teachers and was head teacher of the Rotorua Yamaha Music School.

To this day, Mrs Christophers is still greeted on the streets as "Miss Daphne'', the name she was given by previous students. She said when they introduce their families and partners to her, it really brings home just how long she has been in the business.

Although Mrs Christophers had a number of ideas as to who could have nominated her, she could not say for sure. She said nominating someone for a New Year Honour was a "wonderful way'' for people to say thank you.