There was a special sense of occasion at Nellie Melba Village recently, as residents and guests gathered to celebrate one of Australia’s great operatic voices.
Nance Grant AM MBE was awarded the Melba Medal by the Melba Opera Trust — the organisation’s highest honour — in recognition of her lifelong contribution to opera and her ongoing support of emerging Australian artists.
For Nance, the moment was something she never quite expected.
“I really can’t believe it,” she said.
“I had no idea that anything would come of it, actually.”
Alongside her husband Ian Harris, Nance has recently established a perpetual scholarship within the Melba Program — the Nance Grant AM MBE Opera Scholarship — ensuring young singers will be supported for generations to come.
The idea came from Ian encouraging Nance to establish the scholarship now and enjoy seeing its impact.
By endowing the scholarship, Nance and Ian have created something that will continue supporting Australian artists well into the future — something Nance is already seeing come to life.
“This is the marvellous thing — we can follow them through now,” she said.
The scholarship sits within the Melba Program, which provides training, mentoring and real-world experience to some of Australia’s most promising young opera singers.
For Nance, that kind of support is invaluable — and something she didn’t have when she was starting out.
“When I first started, I didn’t have anything or anyone,” she said.
“I just had a singing teacher, and I had to learn the languages myself.”
“These singers are so lucky that they’re getting the investment put into them to know how to go through the profession.”
Her connection to the organisation stretches back more than four decades, from her early involvement with the Melba Conservatorium through to the program it is today.
“It’s been my lifetime, actually,” she said.
“And I always believed that you should put something back into it as you go.”
Nance’s own career in opera spanned more than 40 years, including performing at the opening of the Sydney Opera House — a moment she still holds close.
Across her career, she was introduced to Queen Elizabeth II on three occasions. She first met the Queen and Prince Philip at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne in 1963, and later performed in front of Her Majesty again at the opening of the Sydney Opera House in 1973, in Beethoven’s Symphony No.9 ‘Choral’ — her second Royal Command performance.
“I think performing in front of the Queen at the Sydney Opera House would be right up there as the best moment,” she said.
“There was a whole buzz inside the Opera House and outside.”
Over the years, her contribution to the arts has been recognised with both an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) and an AM (Member of the Order of Australia), honours she accepts with characteristic humility.
“All of my colleagues should have been in the same boat,” she said.
“There are all such wonderful singers.”
The Melba Medal itself carries a long and significant history, dating back more than a century, and is awarded only rarely.
“To think that since 1910 there have only been a small number of medals given — we were amazed,” Nance said.
“I’m incredibly grateful.”
While the medal recognises a lifetime of achievement, the afternoon itself was also firmly focused on the future.
Guests were treated to performances from inaugural Nance Grant AM MBE Opera Scholarship recipient Sophie Blades and Ryman Healthcare Opera Scholarship recipient Jack Bolton — two young artists Nance believes have bright careers ahead.
“Jack’s got a tremendous quality in his voice,” she said.
“And Sophie… she’s got a good head on her. I think she’s got a terrific career ahead of her.”
What stood out most to Nance, though, was their ability to connect.
“They both work so well with the audience,” she said.
“That’s a big thing with young singers.”
The performance left a lasting impression on those in attendance, bringing joy not just to Nance, but to the wider village community.
“Everyone was coming up to me afterwards saying how much they enjoyed the recital and the singers,” she said.
“It’s just brought so much joy to so many people — and that’s what life’s about.”
For Nance, the afternoon was both a celebration of her extraordinary contribution to opera and a reflection of the legacy she and Ian have created — one that will continue supporting Australian artists for generations to come.