Queen's Birthday Honours: Olga Stancliff

Olga Stancliff has been awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to music

Whakatane's Olga Stancliff believes it's a hoot someone thinks she is worthy of a Queen's Service Medal.

The 80-year-old says the music career for which she is being recognised is the very thing that gets her out of bed every day and keeps her out and about within the Eastern Bay community.

It is her passion for music that has seen her contribute for the past five decades and, in turn, be awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to music.

"Music keeps you going," Mrs Stancliff said.

"It's all that exercise and thinking that comes with it."

She has been a fulltime piano teacher in Whakatane training a large number of children and adults in performance piano and music theory.

She has mentored many teachers and students who have gone on to successful musical careers.

She has been accompanist to the Edgecumbe Choir since the 1980s and since the 1970s to the Eastern Bay of Plenty Brass Band.

"Every week I still get to play the grand piano at the Church of St George and St John and with the Edgecumbe Choir. It's such a delight," she said.

She has been a teacher and player at the Whakatane Music Society since 1973, has played a prominent part in Whakatane Little Theatre Orchestra and the Whakatane Community Orchestra and accompanied soloists and ensembles at Whakatane's Trident High School.