FOUR THOUSAND SUNBEAMS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 5, Issue 127, 28 November 1941, Page 43

FOUR THOUSAND SUNBEAMS

1ZB is delighted by the station's fine new studios, but none more than "Thea," who is heard regularly in 1ZB’s children’s sessions. In the four years since its foundation, her Sunbeam Club has grown steadily, until now there are 4000 listed members, of whom sometimes 80 or a .100 turn up for broadcasts. In the old studios, conditions were not very pleasant for so many small people, and broadcasts, Thea confesses, were sometimes an ordeal. Now, however, she has the special children’s studio, with its cream painted grand piano, its pleasant furnishings and its gaily figured carpet~ which inevitably amuses and sets at ease the shyest child artist. The club has done much good work dufing its short life, one of its biggest contributions being the raising of the first £1000 for the National Health Camp at one of Auckland’s eastern beaches. Besides acting as station accompanist and deputising for any service session personality who happens to be away, "Thea" has a hand in several other children’s sessions, including the Junior Quiz, the Musical Army, the , 2 who broadcasts from

Milestone Club (a birthday club which helps its members to keep a photographic record of themselves from year to year) and Peter the Pilot’s Wise Owl session. A radio veteran, "Thea" was orchestra pianist with Harold Baxter at 1YA

when that station’s studios were situated in France Street, Newton, The opening of the new 1ZB was her second experience of such a function, as she was with 1YA when the present 1YA studios in Shortland Street were opened seven years ago.