Obituary: Rotorua loses tourism pioneer with death of June Woolliams

Tourism stalwart and former mayoress June Woolliams died on April 28 at the ageof 82. Photo/supplied

Rotorua has lost a tourism pioneer with the death of former mayoress June Woolliams.

June was the wife of former Rotorua mayor Ray Woolliams, who died in 2012.

June died on Saturday, April 28 after an illness. She was 82.

June was raised in Carterton and moved to Ohope in 1945 when she was 10. A year later the family moved to Mamaku.

Her father, Fred, opened his home-based Peters the Plumber in Malfroy Rd in 1947 and June attended Rotorua High School from 1947 to 1951, from age 11 to 16.

June was a good swimmer - competing in Bay of Plenty competitions until she left school - and a good pianist.

She worked at the National Bank and would walk up the road to the dances at the Geyser Hall, where she met Ray.

"It was an instant attraction," June would tell her family cheekily. "He had a new car."

She vividly remembered the beige Hillman and wasn't too happy when he sold it and bought an old one. The couple married in July 1955.

June worked at Welsh, Nairn and Fisher Accountants, did books for her father-in-law's business Les Woolliams Electrical and was secretary, till operator and shelf-packer at their business Ray Woolliams IGA Grocery in Eruera St between having their three children, Ann, Christine and Craig.

In late 1963, June and Ray opened Foodland Supermarket in Hinemoa St where June managed the checkout and the fruit and vegetable department.

In 1967, Ray and June bought a 25-year lease to Hell's Gate Thermal Reserve.

They bought a lease to the Fairy Springs tourist attraction early in 1971 and June went overseas several times for promotional work for the two businesses.

June was her happiest on their Kaharoa farm, revelling in the role of farmer's wife which she added effortlessly to her company director role.

June and Ray Woolliams during the mayoralty campaign in 1977. June was 42 and Ray 47 at the time. Photo/supplied

In 1968, Ray was elected on to the Rotorua City Council, and was mayor from 1977 to 1979 until the city became a district. June enjoyed her position as mayoress.

She was a charter member of the Rotorua Altrusa Club, formed in November 1973 with 21 members, and chartered on June 14, 1974.

June and Ray moved back into Rotorua in 1989 after it had become difficult for Ray to handle the breeding stags with his rheumatoid arthritis.

Both Ray and June continued to be involved in their tourism ventures. Waimangu Volcanic Valley became their new undertaking, after the lease for Hell's Gate ended.

It was at this time they expanded into accommodation, building Ann's Volcanic Motel on Malfroy Rd in 1997, for daughter Ann to run, and in 2000 they bought Catelli's Motor Lodge in Taupo, which was run by son Craig and his wife Cheryl.

June will be sadly missed by her family and friends.

Her family described June as "generous to a fault" and she especially cherished her grandchildren treating them to picnics, overnight stays and trips overseas.
- Supplied by Ann Woolliams