Freda Gorton

Interviewer: Rebecca Amundsen

Abstracter: W. Brent Coats

Interview: 1 August 2012

TRACK 1

00:00 Interview introduction

00:30 Mother Ethel - Maiden name Morgan – Father was John Kyle – Lived in Dunedin - Eight Children – Marriage detail unknown – Describes

01:26 Self born in Mary Street INVERCARGILL – Dropped as baby – Named FREDA after maternal aunt –Named ETHEL after mother – Named May after another aunt – Describes

02:17 Grandmother Information from Aunt FREDA – Mentions

02:49 First home – CHELMSFORD STREET – Attended NORTH SCHOOL – Neighbourhood friends – Played on road until late – “Good days” – Describes

04:10 House fire – Cause of fire – Self and mother rescued – Brother born that night – Self aged over 4 – House later demolished – No phone in house - Describes

05:54 Schooling – Did not enjoy – Sport not allowed in family – Discusses

06:50 Chores – Self cleaned front of home – Beds, mopping - Mother back and kitchen – Learned to cook after marriage – Describes

07:31 First job – STRANG’S – Aged 15 – Had to buy bike – CAMPBELL’S BIKE SHOP – Payed half-crown per week – Describes

09:20 ABBOTT STREET house – Story about money in garden – Recalls 10:33 First wages – Gave money for board – Enjoyed ORETI dances - Bought dresses from REGENT GOWNS DEE STREET – Good atmosphere – Biked home late - Describes

14:07 Met husband at dance – Engaged three months later – Recalls

15:00 End of Track 1

TRACK 2

00:00 …Aged 19 when met husband

00:30 End of track 2

TRACK 3

00:00 …Husband apprenticed as mechanic – Enlisted underage during World War Two – Second time meeting him – Describes

01:43 STRANG’S – Making jellies – Filling spice tins – Making tins – Describes

04:14 Working environment – Conversations – Filling bottles with coffee – Employers – STRANG brother - Messrs DAVID, JIM, HAROLD, ROBERT – “Gentlemen” – JIM STRANG’S house – Describes

07:23 Other employees – Names of working areas – Enjoyable employment – Discusses

09:04 Wartime - Fear of invasion - Self and employees in wartime trench – Describes

11:50 Layout of STRANG’S – Currently WEA ESK STREET – Bottom floor packing – Second floor labelling - Top floor jellies – Various spices produced – Describes

13:42 Next employment – BING HARRISON’S – Produced caps and hats – Located south-side TAY STREET

15:00 End of Track 3

TRACK 4

00:00 …Opposite DIC - Mentions

00:26 Nylons from H and J SMITHS – Stocking ladders fixed – Enjoyed buying at SMITHS - Explains

03:00 Marriage – First Church – Bridesmaid stayed with Self – Polio during this time – Schools closed – Children disallowed from church – Elmwood Gardens reception – Discusses

04:35 Polio – Brother RAY contracted - Began with sore leg – Aged 4 years - Spent year in hospital – Irons on legs – Issues at school – Father massaged legs – RUSSELL WRIGHT friend – Describes

07:45 After marriage – Husband BRYAN moved to GORGE ROAD – Husband and JACK JONES built home – Bought 80 acres next door – Built new home – Describes

10:58 Building new house - Cousin-in-law and tradesmen built house – Boarded with family – Looked after men – Sewed friend’s wedding dress - Busy time for Self – Describes

13:25 Story about local scandal – Recalls

14:48 GORGE ROAD house – Six weeks to build

15:02 End of Track 4

TRACK 5

00:00 …RON FRAY (sp?) builder – Saved money for house – Sewing paid for carpet – Cut people’s hair – Describes

02:07 GORGE ROAD community – New Year’s eve – “First Footing” – Self got driver’s license – School pet day – Owned dry-stock steers – Story about steer Ether – Explains 04:16 Difficulties on farm – Self a “town girl” – Taught to lamb – Also owned garage – Self adapted to farming – Describes

06:45 Extended family – Nieces farmed during holidays – Story about daughter JULIE’s lamb – Recalls

08:32 Pet dog TIMOTHY – Mentions

09:13 GEORGE ROAD for 30 years – Present house 34 years – Lived in TOWOMBA AUSTRALIA – Two years – Child-minded JULIE’S children – Describes

10:27 Returned home 1984 – Own house rented out – Discusses

11:27 1984 flood damaging property – Recalls

12:50 Glengarry residence – Reason for move from country – Recalls

15:00 End of Track 5

TRACK 6

00:00 …Enjoys property – Mentions

00:56 GLENGARRY businesses – WOOLWORTHS, Chemist, Dairy, Garage – Hairdresser – THOMPSON’S SHOES – Butcher – Mentions

04:10 GLENGARRY community – Mentions

04:27 Employed sewing dresses – Recalls being hired – Enjoyed sewing with others – Business premises became FOVEAUX RADIO

06:20 Travels to Australia- Mentions

07:02 Sewing friends - Crib in RIVERTON – Mentions

09:19 End of Track 6