Overview This interview is a topic based interview about the 1984 flood and was recorded following the 25th anniversary of the flood. In this interview Peter gives a brief overview of his family and his occupation before going on to detail the events around the 1984 flood and its impacts on Otautau and surrounding areas. He covers the flood and the eventual clean up and the lengthy process that this was.

Overview This interview is a topic based interview about the 1984 flood and was recorded following the 25th anniversary of the flood. Reginald worked for Wallace County Council as Senior Building Inspector after being a builder in Tuatapere. Reginald recalls how the flood unfolded, its effects on the Otautau and surrounding areas and services and Civil Defense. He also tells of his role after the flood as a building inspector, the impact of the flood on infrastructure, working in a team and the...

Overview In this interview James talks of his family history and the arrival of his father, who was a baker, to New Zealand in 1902. Father and Uncle had a bakery first in Balfour then in Otautau before buying a farm with brother Tom in 1902. James tells of his parents wedding and his father’s involvement in the community. He recalls memories of school days, education at the Southern Technical College and the declaration of World War 2. He goes onto tell of his recreational past times, religion and...

Overview This interview is a topic based interview about the 1984 flood and was recorded following the 25th anniversary of the flood. In this interview Peter looks at his occupation as a bricklayer i.e. training and employers before coming self-employed. He talks of his involvement with the Fire Brigade, the 1984 flood and contributing factors to this, damage caused and the role he played during this time; and the aftermath clean up. Through these recollections Peter tells many stories and refers to...

Overview This interview is part of the 1984 Southland Flood Collection and was recorded following the 25th anniversary of the flood. In this interview Victor tells of his experiences in Otautau during the 1984 flood. Victor was the Deputy District Governor of the Lions District 202F. Victor describes his trip to and from Invercargill airport on the day of the flood and his efforts to return to Aparima on the hundred line. He was delegated work with Welfare (Civil Defence) through the Lions and he...

Overview This interview is a topic based interview about the 1984 flood and was recorded following the 25th anniversary of the flood. In this interview John looks at the 1978 Otautau Floods and how these affected him and his family who were farming at Bayswater on the banks of the Aparima River. He recalls what he had to do keep family, stock and feed safe. Compares this flood with the 1984 and 1987 floods and looks back on floods in 1913 and 1916 and how mechanisms were put in place after these to try...

Overview Janice describes her experiences, feelings and evacuation in Otautau during the 1984 flood and the aftermath of this event to family, home, business and community.

Overview This interview is a topic based interview about the 1984 flood and was recorded following the 25th anniversary of the flood. In this interview John talks of his work with Southland District Council as a water operator and prior to that as an electrical contractor. The subject of the interview is a flood and its effects on Otautau, Western Southland and his own work efforts during this time. John was working for the Wallace County Council at the time and looks at how they got the Water System...

Overview This interview is a topic based interview about the 1984 flood and was recorded following the 25th anniversary of the flood. Charles tells of the 1984 flood in Otautau. At the time he was the Deputy Chairman of the Otautau Community Board. He recalls and describes the lead up to the flood, e.g. warnings etc., and the need to balance the assistance of the Chairman and looking after his own family and home, which ended up being flooded. He talks about the after effects of the flood on homes and...

Overview This interview is a topic based interview about the 1984 flood and was recorded following the 25th anniversary of the flood. In this interview Pat gives a background to her involvement as a volunteer as a St John Ambulance Officer in Otautau. She goes onto describe the 1984 flood in Otautau, the preparation for evacuation, watching the water break through, no telephone communication, the taking of a patient to Kew Hospital and the flood condition observed on the way. Pat also tells of the after...