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Society Secretary receives Queens Service Medal |
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51 years service to Pipe Bands and the piping movement in Canterbury was recognised in the New Years Honours, with the Queens Service Medal being awarded to Noelene Keller.
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This has been applauded by all that know of her extensive involvement in local organisations:
- Canterbury Centre of the Royal NZ Pipe Bands' Association
- Canterbury Caledonian Society
- Royal Stewart Pipe Band
- Highland Piping Society of Canterbury
She has served as Secretary and Treasurer, and been made a Life Member, of all four organisations.
It all started back in 1951 when she was coerced into attending a practice of the then Christchurch Ladies Pipe Band, where she subsequently joined the bass section, but after a couple of years, successfully stood for the position of Drum Major.
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After a time, she developed an interest in the pipes, so added this string to her bow also, and by 1971, Noelene had progressed to the position of Pipe Major – a rank she held until1986. By this time the band had joined with the Caledonian Society to become the Canterbury Caledonian Ladies Pipe Band, who won the Grade 3 Championship in 1979, and traveled successfully to Australia and the USA. The band is now known as the Canterbury Caledonian Royal Stewarts. With all this active playing she still found time for her extensive administration involvement, and continues with both to this day. Noelene says “It is an honour and a delight to be acknowledged with the award. I’m happy to have played a part in assisting others to gain as much from these organisations as I have”.
Noelene will travel to Government House for the medal presentation in early March.
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