Helen Lorain Rasko OAM
Born 8 July 1928
Sharing happiness through the joy of music enabled Helen to have an international and Australian career in the entertainment business. She had the privilege of touring Commonwealth Countries with performances for HRH Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip; representing Australia at Malaysia’s “ Puspawana” compering in English and Malay; performing at the inauguration of Lee Kuan Yew as Prime Minister and for Prince Phillip again later, when Singapore became a Republic.
She appeared in Europe singing for the Troops and displaced persons camps. Helen also appeared regularly on BBC TV, Granada and German TV.
Her jazzy contralto voice enabled Helen to raise funds for charities including the Actors Benevolent Fund and Sydney Grammar School. On her return to Australia in the 1950’s she appeared under television contracts for 8 years on all networks including The Mike Walsh Show, Graham Kennedy’s Blankety Blanks and The Tonight Show.
She was a lifelong learner and, when widowed in her late forties, dedicated herself to pay for the education of her two sons John and David, who survive her.
Her greatest honour was receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1998 for service to the entertainment industry and to charitable organisations. She enjoyed her life to the full with a close-knit circle of friends and family.
Her secrets for success were diligence, discipline, respect, and love.
