Overview In this interview, Warren, who was born in Invercargill in 1921, recalls his childhood in the suburb of Heidelberg and his schooling. He mentions local small farms, Chinese gardeners, rabbiting and ferrets. Warren discusses home deliveries of bread, fish and milk. He talks about playing cricket and being a junior representative. He describes going to the Dunedin Exhibition in 1926. Warren talks about the drowning of his brother Len in 1925 while rowing on the estuary. He also mentions that his...

Overview In this interview, Edna, who was born in Myross Bush in 1923, gives details about her parents and their occupations. She discusses school, punishment, going to town (Invercargill), first Pakeha settlers, the Fergusons, Reverend Bethune, sports days at John Kerr's, the Post Office at Mrs Baird's, church and Sunday School, the bus service and food supplies. She talks about draft horses, ploughing matches, harvesting, rabbits, card evenings, the community ball, building the Memorial Hall, the...

Overview In this interview James gives details of his parents' backgrounds, the village in Galway, Ireland where he was born in 1906 and why he came to New Zealand. James describes leaving Galway in 1929 and his impressions of Invercargill on arriving in 1930. He describes working at the Fortification sawmill before labouring on buildings in Invercargill. He describes working on the Te Anau to Milford highway in very difficult working and living conditions. He notes that three hundred men worked on the...

Overview In this interview, Selwyn talks about his family and his connection to the land in Otatara where he has lived all his life. He talks about his grandparents moving to Invercargill and then to New River Ferry on the Oreti River from Germany. Selwyn's father leased land at Sandy Point to fatten cattle and travelled extensively around Southland. Selwyn talks about his mother and growing up, schooling and work life. He joined the Territorial Army, worked in roading and at the freezing works. He...

Overview In this interview Kitty recalls family history, her education which included being one of the first pupils at Owaka District High School, a school that her father and the local Doctor fought to get started. On leaving school Kitty trained to be a teacher. She also details memories of marriage and children and the new home they built after her mother-in-law’s house burnt down. It cost £750.00 to build. Kitty reflects on services, communication and leisure activities of the time in the 1930s e.g....