John Christmass receives Order of Australia Medal

By Stephen Best

 

PERTH, AUSTRALIA — For the past few years he has organised the popular New Year’s Eve Vienna Pops at the Perth Concert Hall, John Christmass has declared the next one would be his last.

But approaching 88, the Mt Nasura choral master and educator is still going strong, driven by his love for music and the pleasure of sharing his knowledge with others.

“You can’t sing and be miserable,” he said. “No matter how bad you are feeling when you come to choir, you go away happy.”

Mr Christmass’ many decades of making and teaching music have been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia.