Overview This interview was recorded as part of the About Us Voices of Southland collection. Alistair was born in Glasgow. During World War 2 his family returned to NZ by boat and there is a description of this hazardous experience. He compares life in Southland to Scotland e.g. farming techniques. His working life was spent farming which he describes i.e. impact of dairying on rural communities and changes to farming practice. Alistair had a close affinity with Scottish roots-societies which he...

Overview Peter tells his family history, the birth of his twin and himself prematurely, and his siblings. He talks of the effects on Otautau and his upbringing of the outbreak of World War 2. His family was more self-sufficient on the farm having eggs, homemade butter and wiener pigs to sell. He attended secondary school in Invercargill returning home to the farm. He gives a description of running their dairy and sheep farm and hay making. He took over the farm in 1961 and when it became too small he...

Overview This interview was recorded as part of the Wendon Valley Research Project. Jeffrey is the son of Jim Lamb (refer Oral History ref. H0115) and in his interview he describes and discusses his memories of the family. He gives a description of their home, water supply, milking cows; time spent with Grandmother Agnes nee Henderson and his school years. He goes on to talk about his employment, hobbies e.g. fishing and rodeo, and trip to Scotland to visit the original Larg Farm where he learned about...

Overview This interview was recorded as part of the Wendon Valley Research Project. Lily covers family history in Wendon Valley as a farming family. She recalls her memories of living and growing up there e.g. dances in the woolshed, playing table tennis with the Lamb family, school and school friends. One of these being Jean McIntre who went on to teach music at Trinity College and put a concert on at Carnegie Hall. Lily tells of her marriage and association with Anglican Church where she was an...

Overview This interview was recorded as part of the Wendon Valley Research Project. Jim details his family history dating back to his grandparents and the purchase of Larg Farm in the Wendon Valley. His father began the Waikaka Dairy Factory. He tells how his mother managed the farm after the early death of his father. Jim goes on to describe childhood memories of milking cows, having a horse and rugby. He gives a history of the Wendon Valley School, his marriage and birth of his children and explains...

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 In this interview Walter recalls early memories of South Invercargill, grandparents, the history of his Dalrymple Street home, boat sheds on Tweed Street, dredging at Stead Street bridge and the naming of McQuarrie Street after his great-great grandfather. He also talks about his education, employment and that of his grandfather’s and father’s in the family engineering business. He also discusses wartime, trams, and the Invercargill Airport. Walter also tells of his enjoyment of cars and he...

Overview Shelia tells of life and education on Stewart Island i.e. chores, teachers, enjoyment of art classes and having a love of nature. She wanted to be a writer and artist; and wrote ‘Natural World of the Trails’ and ‘Out of Our Tree’. She left home to go to Dunedin Teacher’s College and she gives a detailed account of her time there. In 1942 she had her first work published called ‘Overland to Pegasus’ in the Wanderlust magazine. She moved to Wellington and worked for the Dominion Museum – then did...

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...