Not a Wellingtonian Kumara, but saw Carmen many times during her final years when she lived in Surry Hills NSW. She'd sit outside her flat in Riley Street and chat to people passing by. She was well known and loved there.

Just found this great article, wonderful to see history being kept alive. I remember going to the Empire Hotel, then managed by Kevin and Lorraine Cholmondeley Smith, in the late 70s, beginning of the 80s, perhaps Auckland's first pub run as a gay bar? The back and side bars were usually popular on weekends, with a DJ in the courtyard playing disco hits.