June Bronhill OBE (26 June 1929 – 24 January 2005) was an internationally acclaimed Australian coloratura soprano opera singer, performer and actress. She was well known for light opera and musical theatre in London West End theatres and Australia as well as on the opera stage.
Bronhill was born June Mary Gough in Broken Hill, New South Wales.
Her stage name, Bronhill, which she used from 1952, was an abbreviation of Broken Hill, which was her way of thanking her hometown for its support in raising money to send her overseas for professional training as a singer.
Her voice was characterised as a "very crystal clear, diamond bright coloratura soprano" with "absolutely impeccable diction". Opera News noted that "Bronhill's crisp, bright prettiness and crystalline diction made her an ideal exponent of operetta heroines."
Bronhill was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year's Honours of 1976, and was later given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Australian Variety Club.
Bronhill died on 24 January 2005, aged 75, in her sleep at a Sydney nursing home. Although she had beaten breast cancer in the 1980s, her later years were marred by deafness and social isolation, and she retired in 1993.
Her home town, Broken Hill, honoured her by declaring a minute's silence during the 2005 Australia Day celebrations two days after her death. Mayor Ron Page noted, "She is very special to us; if you ask every householder in Broken Hill, they'll be able to say, yes, they are proud of June Bronhill." Then acting prime Minister, John Anderson noted, "The world is mourning the loss of someone who entertained millions, but it's good to see the local community here recognise one of their own in ... a very proud community celebrating the life of one of their daughters."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_Bronhill