Skip to main content

DOLAMORE, Natalie interviewed by Joan Harvey

 Record Group — Box: 57
Identifier: H0617

Overview

Natalie Dolamore was born in Gore in 1921. Describes her childhood home with a live-in maid and part-time gardener, washerwoman and dressmaker. Mentions her father was a solicitor and her mother was of Swiss extraction. Talks about her grandparents, a typical Sunday, visiting, family holidays, Gore Main School, reading and other leisure activities. Comments on the distinction between professional and working class in the town. Describes tertiary education at Canterbury College in 1939 and gives reasons for leaving College. Mentions her mother's illness. Describes her employment as a library assistant at the Gore Public Library. Discusses the building before and after alterations and talks about the new library built in 1983, the year of her retirement. Mentions controversy over Communist material and `certain magazines' in the library. Discusses social classes in Gore, manners, snobbery and attitudes to craftsmen and labourers. Mentions Men's and Women's Clubs, bridge parties, calling cards, cocktail parties, balls, social tennis parties. Comments on theatre as a leveller. Discusses working class standards of living. Comments on racial and religious prejudice. Mentions unmarried mothers and backroom abortions.

Dates

  • 1996

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

For access please contact the Southland Oral History Project Coordinator at sohp@ilibrary.co.nz.

Conditions Governing Use

The contents of Southland Oral History Project collections are subject to the conditions of the Copyright Act 1994. Please note that in accordance with agreements held with interviewees additional conditions regarding the reproduction [copying] and use of items in the Southland Oral History Project collections may apply. Please contact the Southland Oral History Project Coordinator for further information at sohp@ilibrary.co.nz.

Extent

1 folder(s)

Language of Materials

English