H0350 Alva Mary Faul

Interviewer: Anne McCraken

Date: 29 July 2019

Abstracter: April Milligan

Track 1

00.22 ALVA was born in MILTON at NURSE MARRYATT’S MATERNITY HOME in SPENCER STREET on the 23 February, 1929 weighing less than 2 pound 14 ounces and was baptised immediately spending the next 7 months at the home. ALVA was kept in the bottom drawer of the Nurse’s dressing table.

01.18 Mother LYLE MARY WRIGHT became WARNOCK. FATHER was WALTER GAVIN WARNOCK. Mother was born in VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA (4th October, 1902) came to NEW ZEALAND when she was 2 years, went back and returned when she was 14 years old with her family. Father was born (16 November, 1903) at RATANUI in the CATLINS. The youngest member of his family of eight, his Mother dying when he was 4. He stayed with his Father until his Father died.

02.27 Grandfather was a Sawmiller owning the mill where Dad worked. Dad attended the RATANUI SCHOOL. Mother was a WRIGHT of the early settlers to BANKS PENINSULA at AKAROA. Her Great Grandparents came from ENGLAND and came to NEW ZEALAND in November 1840. They were in PETONE living in a tent on the beach for 2 years. PADDY RYAN a whaling man came looking for sturdy men to work on the whaling boats and ALVA”S Great, Great, Grandfather was 6 foot 7inches but excluded him because he was married with 2 children and thought they would not cope with the whaling station at AKAROA. When told this HANNAH WRIGHT (Great, Great, Grandmother) conferred with PADDY WRIGHT and they sailed 2 weeks later for AKAROA.

04.34 There was a large WRIGHT family of 12. Some had large families as well. Mother was born in AUSTRALIA and came to NEW ZEALAND when she was two, then went back until she was fourteen before coming back. There was 6 in the family by then. They came a rough journey over the TASMAN SEA arriving at BLUFF before heading up to AKAROA.

05.43 ALVA MARY WARNOCH went to MILBURN SCHOOL became a prefect in Standard 6 and top of the class. Alva’s older (13 months) brother died in his 60s after illness. Her sister, 2.5 years younger, also a trained nurse, lives in NELSON. A brother BOB lives in OAMARU at 85, sharing a birth date with JACK (husband) ensuring communication on the 23rd June.

07.22 Alva attended TOKOMAIRIRO DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL until 17 years old. Her parents sold the farm and went to live in MILTON but before that she went to live with her Grandmother and Grandfather. Grannie was fastidious about the house and ALVA couldn’t make her bed to Granny’s standard. The blue satin quilt had to be absolutely perfect.

08.27 Alva recalls the laundry process involving a boiler to heat the water which was stocked up on Sunday night ready to be lit on Monday morning. The clothes and bed linen were put into the boiling water, pushed down with a washing stick. “There was clothes lines galore out around the lawn,” ALVA remembers. Methylated spirits was used in the ironing process. Grandmother was fussy and started at 5.30 in the morning making scones before anyone was up. (A very fond Granny)

10.00 On the way to High School ALVA would dance along the way. When she was 7 she went to Dr EDGAR the family Doctor in MILTON who thought,” she was not prospering physically well” and suggested she learn Highland dancing. A lady from KAITANGATA (WHANGAROA) came to MILTON on Saturday mornings on the train. Lessons were in the PIPE BAND HALL. Alva won medals including the first at New Year Sports Day at KAKA POINT, receiving £1 for winning the sword dance and 10 shillings for 2nd prize in the Highland fling. Over the years ALVA gained 30 odd medals, moving on to teach Highland Dance in her teens in MILTON. DUNEDIN dance teachers could no longer get travel vouchers during the War (WW2). Men in suits visited ALVA”S Father to arrange for her to teach Highland Dance, catching a Saturday slow train to BALCLUTHA at 7.30 a.m. returning on the Express train at 5.00pm. This continued for 3.5 years. ALVA was upset as she had to give up playing HOCKEY.

13.30 Later ALVA played GOLF at the OTATARA GOLF COURSE and reflected, “Almost like having a hockey stick in my hand.” She loved the game.

14.02 MR DUFFY, ALVA’s old teacher at MILBURN suggested she be a teacher but Father explained there was not enough money for board for her to go to DUNEDIN. ALVA took the train to DUNEDIN for a Nursing Interview but was turned down because she was 4ft 11 and they wanted nurses to be 5ft 3.

TRACK 2

00.13 ALVA was told that because she had good references she could apply to a small hospital and they would send a recommendation. BALCLUTHA could be a distraction for study because of her dance interest so INVERCARGILL was chosen. Her Uncle also lived there.

01.10 DR HOWARD HUNTER was the MEDICAL SUPERINTENDANT and he realised ALVA had flat feet and was very short but agreed on a trial to start nursing but he forgot to say when the trial was up. ALVA went to INVERCARGILL when she was 18 to start her training as a nurse for 3 years. Final results were given out on JUNE 20th 1950. After a year ALVA did JUNIOR STATE of which she and10 of her classmates received Honours. ALVA did not continue with Midwifery, “JACK got in the road”.

02.54 After celebrating her finals a classmate ESME LEGGETT from WAIRIO asked ALVA to go to ST MARY”S with her (dance). DIANA FOSTER from THORNBURY (home looking after her Mother) wanted her to catch a bus out to the THORNBURY dance where she loved the dancing. ALVA went with the first invitation. At that dance she met JACK FAUL who asked her for the Supper Waltz. She also met an old patient DONALD BRADLEY who vouched for JACK”S character. JACK took her home on the bar of his bike. A car was purchased soon after. JACK had lots of wavy brown hair. ALVA explained that DIANA and she were saving to travel overseas after completing Maternity Training in HAMILTON and working to become STAFF NURSE. Money was pooled to pay for a taxi after ST MARY’S dances but once JACK got a car they could save that money.

05.29 ALVA nursed at KEW HOSPITAL, LORNE and a MATERNITY HOME in VICTORIA AVENUE (now pulled down). MISS BUCHANAN was her MATRON when training. ALVA was PRESIDENT of STUDENT NURSES and SECRETARY of NURSES CHRISTIAN UNION. ALVA loved it even though there was little spare time. Travel home to MILTON was too expensive, 13 shillings 6 pence on the train one way on the 1 day off. Pay was £5-£6 a month. Instead she went on the bus to her friend DIANA FOSTER at Thornbury. ALVA reflected how hard nursing work was, especially on a Medical Ward involving lots of lifting (hard for a short nurse). They sometimes caught the bus at 10.00pm. The sunroom was kept unlocked for them where they could fall into a feather mattress and feel like they had gone to Heaven. “Different from Nursing Accommodation.”

08.13 ALVA recalls moving into Nursing Administration becoming the first female Hospital Board Chair. In 1980 there was conflict because the Board was not employing SOUTHLAND trained Nurses who often had to go as far as AUSTRALIA for work. HUGH ROXBROUGH from BRANXHOLM (through JACK, a ROTARY connection) asked her to stand in the HOSPITAL BOARD elections. ALVA’S reaction was that it was a joke. Within a week BILL McCLAREN (Manager of MACAULEY MOTORS) and DES PRICE (FARMER’S CO-OP) also endorsed her standing by nominating and seconding her. MR BLAKELY was the CHAIRMAN of the BOARD. ELECTION results came while she was at a ROTARY evening and she found herself fourth highest polling after three DOCTORS. After three years on the BOARD PAUL WILSON an ORTHOPEADIC SURGEON (BOARD MEMBER) nominated her for DEPUTY CHAIRMAN.

12.28 1980 -1989 signalled a change from HOSPITAL BOARDS to AREA HEALTH BOARDS. MR BLAKELY was not elected. ALVA was nominated for CHAIR by NGARITA DIXON from TUATAPERE and NEIL WYETH seconded her. Another women was also nominated for the position by MR OGG from GORE. Candidates had to address the BOARD (for the first time). The other candidate had notes but ALVA started with “Kia Ora”, (Bi Cultural recognition) and continued with hopes for the BOARDS work.

TRACK 3

00.07 ALVA recalls not wanting a divided BOARD but all Members to deal with issues voting for the best for SOUTHLAND people. The journey was not easy for her.

TRACK 4

00.06 On her way back from HAMILTON, ALVA went to BALCLUTHA to work to support her Mother when her Father was having surgery in DUNEDIN. As Ward Sister she accompanied her Senior Nurse around the beds to become familiar with their needs. MATRON wanted to send ALVA to WELLINGTON to do Post Graduate training to advance knowledge in training nurses. JACK who she had become engaged to did not receive the news well saying, “who are you engaged to me or your profession”? ALVA gave up.

01.44 ALVA returned to INVERCARGILL and nursed at PARK HOSPITAL for 2 years as Number 3(in charge) stepping in if Matron or her Deputy were away. ALVA loved Private Nursing being able to attend to patient needs.

02.16 Coming back to INVERCARGILL JACK and ALVA bought a section in ABBOTT STREET and started building a house. Someone put in the foundation and then building friends came to help JACK including his Groomsman and even ALVA hammered nails.

03.03 The couple married on the 20th February, 1954. ALVA’S dress was a pretty ice blue (a white dress might have made her pick up a bed pan rather than a bouquet). The bridesmaid dresses were an Ivory colour. The church was ST JOHN’S, Anglican Church, in MAIN STREET, MILTON followed by a Reception at the RSA. The wedding cake might have had 3 tiers.

TRACK 5

00.06 Alva had 2 daughters and 2 sons. Jocelyn at 7/8 wanted to become a Brownie about the time they built in CRUICKSHANK CRESCENT. She attended a parents meeting in North INVERCARGILL and became a member of the Committee that supported Guiding. The Commissioner moved to DUNEDIN. MRS MOLLY MCDONALD and MRS GRANT (Principal, Intermediate School LAYARD STREET) asked ALVA to be Commissioner of the WAIHOPAI District.

02.10 After 3 years ALVA was asked to be Assistant Provincial Commissioner, by JOYCE FRASER who had been a Brown Owl in the area and had became Provincial Commissioner. Alva was also Ranger Advisor for the teenagers.

02.53 Alva was also involved with the YMCA Board as a Hospital Board representative as they funded the Counselling and Human Resource Centre. She became Chairman of the YMCA Board (1st Woman to be appointed).

TRACK 6

00.12 As a Member of the YMCA Board Alva became a Member of the NATIONAL COUNCIL of the YMCA. She chaired a Sub Committee to look and report on all the YMCA’S in NEW ZEALAND. For her work ALVA became a Life Member of the NATIONAL YMCA. (The 1st Woman)

TRACK 7

00.13 ALVA was a Charter Member of the INNER WHEEL CLUB (supported from INVERCARGILL NORTH ROTARY CLUB) becoming PRESIDENT after a few years. She remained a member of INVERCARGILL NORTH INNER WHEELCLUB (at Interview).

00.54 ALVA at a ROTARY changeover night with JACK the President PAUL HARRIS FELLOW

TRACK 8

00.04 PETER LITTLE (President North Invercargill Rotary) related about a PAUL HARRIS FELLOW and her name was announced. ALVA in her surprise confirmed with DOROTHY KING that she had heard correctly. (1st Women member chosen) (JACK had been a PAUL HARRIS FELLOW as well as gaining a Sapphire Pin-an elevation of Honour)

01.11 ALVA was awarded a QSO.

01.22 JACK’S racehorse had success and was celebrated.

TRACK 9

In this section Alva relates details of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. The details are not provided here for privacy reasons.

TRACK 10

00.22 ALVA describes being married 65 years. JACK is still active in the Work Office. ALVA describes going to the Golf Course to do some Putting and Chipping still. ALVA MARY FAUL nee WARNOCK now 90 years of age recalls having a jolly good life, lucky to have had JACK and four children bringing much pleasure into her life.