June Bronhill
June Bronhill, OBE (June 26, 1929–January 24, 2005) was an internationally acclaimed soprano opera singer.
She was born June Mary Gough in the inland Australian city, Broken Hill. Her stage name Bronhill, which she used from 1952, was an abbreviation of Broken Hill, which was her way of thanking her home town for its support in raising money to send her overseas for professional training as a singer.
She was perhaps best known for title role of "Hanna Glawari" in Franz Lehar's The Merry Widow. She also created Maria von Trapp in Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music on the Australian stage.
June Bronhill also recorded Together with Music with Dennis Olsen.
Despite her prestigious career, she retained a public profile as a person of plain tastes who retained her Australian identity. This was enhanced by appearing as a guest on various television panel shows in her later years. She also played the regular role of brassy shop assistant Mrs Crawford in the Australian version of the TV comedy show Are You Being Served?.
Her career was cut short by the onset of deafness which became profound. She also suffered from Alzheimer's Disease.
She died at 75 on January 24, 2005, in a Sydney nursing home in her sleep. Broken Hill honoured her by declaring a minute's silence during the 2005 Australia Day celebrations on 26 January.
Training
She trained in London and gained early exposure with the Sadler's Wells [1] company in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro.
Work
Bronhill was well known in the London West End theatres as well as on the opera stage.
Honour
Bronhill was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1976.