Overview This interview is part of the Gorge Road Project. In this interview Alma recalls family history which is based around her father’s employment, war service and establishment of his carrying business based in Kapuka as well as the purchase of his farm. She details some of the business he did in his carrying company e.g., flax to Flax Mill at Gorge Road, taking dross from the railway yards to the Dairy factory for the boilers, and rabbit trucks. She explains how these worked and how the Government...

Overview Frana had a full and interesting life which she shares in this detailed interview. Frana talks of her family, career as a Kindergarten teacher, marriage, children, life in Te Anau, and her creation of a private Kindergarten. She looks at her passion for Fiordland and being part of the campaign to save Lake Manapouri and Te Anau from Hyrdro power development. She saw a need for a Public Library in Te Anau and lead to her being elected to the Wallace County Community Board, which lead to her...

Overview In this interview Betty talks about numerous topics and memories she has over the years. These include: stories of her brother Laurie, who sadly died young in a drowning accident, her own interests and career as a teacher, her marriage and involvement in gymnastics, athletics and swimming as well as being a judge for the Miss Southland competition and later the Miss New Zealand competition. She talks of her husband and his career, their children and living in Invercargill and Queenstown.

Overview In this interview Robert tells of early life and shifting to Tokanui including his education, employment, war years and rationing, and health and getting rheumatic fever. He recalls local history of Tokanui including: sawmills, local rugby, the depression and Black Pine Beer.

Overview This interview is part of the Awarua Radio Communications Museum collection. In this interview Jack tells his family history before going onto to describe in detail his work for the Post Office in particular his time spent at Awarua Radio Station during WW2 where he used his qualifications with morse code. During this time, he also had to learn Japanese Morse Code. After the war he returned to Post Office duties in various towns around the south before retiring at the age of 57. He speaks of...

Overview In this interview James tells in detail his family history before talking of his employment in various areas of Australia and his return to Rotorua and Auckland. When he moved to Christchurch, he became a long-distance truck driver until he had an accident and decided to return come to Southland where he worked in the coal mines for 23 years before being made redundant. Safety issues in the mines were a concern of his. After leaving the mines he was employed by Brightwood Sawmill in Otautau,...

Overview Recorded as part of the Awarua Communications Museum Collection. In this interview Paul tells of his family history and life first in South Invercargill and later in Woodlands where he began his career with the Post Office where he worked in various areas e.g., switch board operator, Telegraph and Motor registration. Moving between townships eventually becoming the Post master of Riverton and Winton offices, during this time he specialised in the conversion of the Telephone Exchanges from...

Overview This interview is part of the Gorge Road Collection. In this interview Russell describes the huge changes in the landscape in the Waituna area. From the 1950s land around the Waituna Lagoon was drained and cleared of moss, manuka, flax and scrub and converted into farmland. Russell describes the machinary used and the processes involved in the conversion process and the support provided by central government.

Overview In this interview Peter covers family history and genealogy, the family farming operation and his contribution to this. At the age of 19 he started importing tractors from Hungary. This introduced trade between New Zealand and Hungary and he was supported by local MPs Brian Talboys and Peter Gordon. Along with his brother he patented a handle for a cattle bale, which proved popular and he and his brother would make these in the evening and during the day they ran the farm. Wallace also covers...