Overview This interview is divided into three parts. The first is a joint one in which Bill and Francis Watt tell of their first meeting, social life of the time, marriage and honeymoon. This followed by employment history through to becoming manager of Mount Hamilton and later a field officer based in Invercargill. In Bill’s interview he tells of his family history, early life and memories in Timaru and the shift to Matarua after the death of both his parents. He looks at his life here e.g. education,...

Overview This interview covers Violet's early life at Otaitai Bush. She and her siblings were taught music and singing although Violet preferred and enjoyed singing. Violet tells of meeting her husband, marriage, living at Pourakino Valley and later shifting to town. She describes her ‘Step into the Past’ collection and sourcing the items within this.

Overview In this interview Beryl shares her family history and stories from her life. These start with her early life in Roxburgh and Lumsden. Beryl discusses her family's purchase of their farm at Gropher’s Bush, her education, childhood games, employment and marriage to Graham. When they married, they had hens and a cow and Beryl made her own butter. During WW2 Graham was in the Home Guard and Beryl was involved with the local Patriotic Society and knitted for the soldiers, sent food parcels overseas...

Abstract VIOLET FRANCES WELLS-ALLISON Recorded: 30 July 2008; Interviewer: Janice Templeton; Abstracter: Jean Hawkes TRACK 100:00 Interview identification00:29 VIOLET FRANCES WELLS-ALLISON – born DANIEL, married DOUGLAS WELLS then JOHNNY ALLISON – Explained Born at OTAITAI BUSH 10 December 192102:02 No midwives – AUNTY VI and AUNTY MILLIE – Mentioned02:17 Older sister MILLIE born 15 December – no other siblings....

Abstract June Marie Elizabeth Strachan Interviewer: Nancy Burnett Date: 14 & 20 February 2007 Abstract: Cathy OnellionDisk 1 - Track 100:00 [interviewer introduction and information]01:06 Gives full name and address. Confirms spelling and pronunciation of last name S-T-R-A-C-H-A-N. Describes born in REDCLIFFS, near SUMNER, CHRISTCHURCH. Describes it as having a steep bank and recounts how mother had piano hauled up there.02:10 Gives father’s...

Abstract William Patrick Watt (Bill) Interviewer: Cathy Macfie Abstract: Cathy Macfie1:00 Born in INVERCARGILL but shifted at early age. Spent first four years at ASHBURTON. Recalls early CHILDHOOD MEMORIES. Describes visits to grandparents’ boarding house; incident with Alsation dog; trip with father up Ashburton River bed to get firewood. Explains context 1931-32 Depression Years. Father worked at Ashburton Grain Store. Remembers ‘Assyrian’ lady at boarding house....