PAUL HARRIS FELLOW ROTARY MEDAL

Since 1957 the Paul Harris Fellow, named in honour of Rotary International founder Paul Harris, is presented by Rotary clubs across the world in recognition of members who contribute $1000 to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International in either their name or in the name of a prominent member of the community. In c2012 a Rotary member made the contribution in the name of John Christmass in recognition of his voluntary work as musical directory of the Vienna Pops and Best of British concerts which were held to help raise money for Rotary and the many community programs they run in Western Australia.
John Christmass moved to the Kelmscott area in the 1970s. John had taught music since the 1940s and later joined the Department of Education and was in charge of their choral music program.
In 1985 he retired from the education department and focussed his time on teaching and promoting music from his Kelmscott office. From there he managed the I Voci Choir which was made up of past students from Perth Modern School aged 18-30.
John was the musical director for the Perth Anzac Day Services from 1971 to the early 2000s, he started the 1st Vienna Pops concert and the Best of British concert at the Perth Concert Hall in c1987 and 1991 respectively to help raise money for Rotary. He directed his last in 2013 and 2012. He was presented with the Order of Australia in 2012, for his services to music, plus many other local and state awards over the years.
Locally he directed many concerts, taught music, advocated for a concert venue in the City of Armadale and was a strong advocate for the local art and culture scene.