Geoffrey Thomson Piercy

Interviewer: Nancy Burnett

Abstracter: Laura Davies

Interview: 18 October 2013

Track 1

00:00 Interview identification

00:53 Geoffrey Tomson? Piercy born 29 August 1930

01:05 Interview agreement

01:40 Born in INVERCARGILL, ST ANDREWS STREET – Nurse Colliers? – Explains MATERNITY HOSPITALS in the 1930s

02:33 FATHER was ROBERT CRAIG PIERCY born in 1905 – worked as an ELECTRICIAN – during the DEPRESSION worked for A C MILLAR, BAKER – served in the WAR at MAKAREWA as an ENGINEER – also worked for NEIL AND TAYLOR?, ENGINEERING FIRM – INSPECTOR for the SOUTHLAND ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY

04:05 ROBERT CRAIG PIERCY was born in Invercargill – Robert’s father (GRANDFATHER Geoffrey) of THOMAS PIERCY was early settler of WOODLANDS – namesake for PIERCY ROAD, LONGBUSH – THOMAS PIERCY also owned SAWMILLS in TOKANUI

04:30 Recalls stories from his FATHER (ROBERT CRAIG PIERCY) about travelling in TRAIN from INVERCARGILL to TOKANUI – Describes the SAW MILLS

05:40 Recalls and describes GREAT-GRANDMOTHER CRAIG and her CHILDREN from SCOTLAND - moved to MYROSS BUSH - IMMIGRATION

06:58 Recalls stories about his FATHER (ROBERT CRAIG PIERCY) – mentions his MOTHER was the disciplinarian – fond of horses.

07:50 Describes his MOTHER – thirteen years older than his FATHER – maiden name PATCHETT – PATCHETT family (GRANDPARENTS) owned HOTELS – were also MUSICIANS – died in the early 1900s – his MOTHER worked at a BLUFF GOLDEN AGE HOTEL – friends with LOTTIE MCGORLICK (née ROSE) – first fiancé killed in FIRST WORLD WAR

09:40 Recalls MARRIAGE of his PARENTS – DIED in their 70s – FATHER REMARRIED

10:23 Recalls his MOTHER as a disciplinarian – CORPORAL PUNISHMENT – describes MOTHERS and NEIGHBOURS sharing information – CHILDHOOD

11:20 Recalls his BROTHER ROBERT (BOB) PIERCY born 1934 – had a photographic memory – GEOFFREY attended BOYS HIGH SCHOOL, ROBERT attended TECHINCAL COLLEGE – became a BANDSMAN TROMBONE player – contemporary to RODNEY SUTTON – part of the FIRST OTAGO SOUTHLAND REGIMENT BAND – became salesman of motor vehicle and tractors

12:48 Grew up in ELLES ROAD near MARTIN STREET – Describes the HOUSE in grew up in and INVERCARGILL in the 1930s – lived next door to the SPENCERS who would get FISH from BLUFF – FATHER would go out RABBIT SHOOTING – DEPRESSION ERA

14:08 Recalls his UNCLE bordered his family – low UNEMPLOYMENT – UNCLE drove for LANG BROTHERS – FATHER would bring home BREAD

15:00 END OF TRACK

Track 2

00:00 Advent of SOCIAL SECURITY – Describes compiling history of the SOUTHLAND HISTORY BOARD – CHARITABLE BOARD

00:55 Recalls INVERCARGILL during WORLD WAR TWO – sense of community

1:17 Recalls the INVERCARGILL TRAMS – TRAM TERMINUS was near ELLES ROAD

2:00 Continues recollection of INVERCARGILL during WORLD WAR TWO – remembers when the war was announced – MOTHER had lost COUSINS and FRIENDS in the FIRST WORLD WAR – UNCLE was a decorated OFFICER from the FIRST WORLD WAR – Traumatic – went to the STATION to see his COUSINS off to WAR – DEATHS and INJURIES in the FAMILY during the WORLD WAR TWO – had BLACKOUTS and AIR RAID WARNINGS in INVERCARGILL – SCOUTS were used as MESSENGERS to KEW HOSPITAL

06:45 Recalls going to BLUFF PORT during WORLD WAR TWO and seeing SHIPS and loading MUTTON – MERCHANT SHIPS with NAVAL CREW – ST JOHNS – Mentions WOODBINE CIGARETTES

08:00 Recalls V J DAY at the end of WORLD WAR TWO – mentions more DEATHS from the war in INVERCARGILL – CHILDREN would be called out of SCHOOL when family member died – mentions TELEGRAMS

09:00 Recalls SAINT JOHNS CHURCH was packed – was a CHOIR BOY at the CHURCH

09:27 Recalls how the COMMUNITY coped with GRIEF – no special care – mentions COLONEL HARGEST and MRS HARGEST

11:04 Describes the ideal of KING AND COUNTRY – Recalls how his FATHER felt about it – originated from the UPPER CLASS – filtered through to NEW ZEALAND – people identified as ENGLISH – describes immigration after the FIRST WORLD WAR

12:40 Describes SAINT GEORGE SCHOOL, now FERNWORTH PRIMARY SCHOOL – describes other INVERCARGILL SCHOOLS – his UNCLE was one of the first pupils – PRESBYTERIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL – rivalries between schools

14:33 First day pupil of TWEEDSMUIR INTERMEDIATE – recalls what it was like going to a NEW SCHOOL

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Track 3

00:00 continue recalling TWEEDSMUIR INTERMEDIATE – mentions SURREY PARK SCHOOL and INVERCARGILL SOUTH SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL and CENTRAL SCHOOL – large school – later went to SOUTHLAND BOYS HIGH SCHOOL

1:13 Describes SOUTHLAND BOYS HIGH SCHOOL – Recalls his experience of SCHOOL

02:19 Describes SUBJECTS that were TAUGHT at SCHOOL – recalls ENGLISH TEACHER ALLAN DUNLOP? – mentions his later work experience as a WRITER for the SOUTHLAND TIMES, SUNDAY SUPPLEMENT RADIO and the EXPRESS

03:43 Recalls COUSIN HUGH FOX who worked on the HOMER TUNNEL – built during the DEPRESSION – mentions AVALANCHE – visited in 1944 for YOUTH GROUP – DAVY GUNNS CAMP – Mr PLATO opened the gates for HOMER TUNNEL and he walked through it – Recalls the weather of FIORDLAND – Describes building possible road through MILFORD TRACK

06:18 Describes the BROWN OWL RESTAURANT, corner of ESK and DEE STREET and the start of the INVERCARGILL LICENSING TRUST – CALVIN HOTEL – CLYDE HOTEL – THE GRAND HOTEL – THE APPLYBY – SOUTHLAND HOTEL – Recalls COUSIN worked there as a WAITER

08:15 Describes the beginning to the INVERCARGILL LICENSING TRUST – mentions his GRANDPARENTS had HOTLES in INVERCARGILL – AUNT owned the STAG HEADS HOTEL – GRANDPARENTS owned where the LONE STAR is now – about 14 HOTELS in DEE STREET – PROHIBITION meant HOTELS closed – mentions HUGH RITCHIE, FRANK HOLLOWAY , LLOYD REINS?, - CALVIN HOTEL – DESCHLER HOTEL – GRAND HOTEL – 6 O’Clock closing

12:20 Recalls DRY INVERCARGILL and how people in INVERCARGILL would HOMEBREW – used the COPPER – BOTTLING – neighbourhood would compare who had the best BREW

13:38 Describes areas with ALCOHOL licensing - LORNEVILLE HOTEL, WHITEHOUSE was the biggest bar in NEW ZEALAND – BLUFF – TRAINS would be full going to BLUFF – people would BIKE - WALLACETOWN HOTEL – TAXIS – BLUE PETER

15:00 END OF TRACK

Track 4

00:00 continues Describes what the KEGS BEER and ALCOHOL was stored in – mentions WOMENS TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT and WOMENS LIBERATION - Describes people who would by KEGS and sell them in INVERCARGILL – mentions author FRED MILLAR book about ALCOHOL in INVERCARGILL

01:40 Recalls the opening of SOUTHLAND GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL – used to be in FORTH STREET – marched to the opening – QUEENS ROAD became QUEENS DRIVE after a visit from the QUEEN – mentions the namesake for ELLES ROAD

03:00 Worked at JOHN EDMUNDS, HARDWARE in INVERCARGILL – Recalls being a TRAVELLER REP for JOHN EDMUNDS - LICENSING RESTRICTIONS during recovery from WORLD WAR TWO – mentions different STOCK that came in – ENGLISH POTTERY – CORRUGATED IRON –

04:33 Describes items related to CLOTHES WASHING - ACME RINGERS were scarce – Describes a ringer and MANGLE – Describes the process of using WASHING MACHINES – items were RATIONED - Recalls having BATHS once or twice a week

07:14 Describes being the REPRESENTATIVE for JOHN EDMUNDS in INVERCARGILL – would visit local BUILDERS and ENGINEERS – worked as a RATIONING CONTROLLERS – importing CEMENT from BELGIUM – would have to do PRICING – mentions INVERCARGILL JOINERY and TIMBER MERCHANTS

10:20 Recalls starting his FIRST JOB – PARCEL BOY JOHN EDMUNDS STORE – had to collect PIES and COFFEES for MORING TEA – had to BIKE around town – mentions WAGES

12:10 Mentions opening of ANDERSONS PARK

12:30 Recalls the opening of the first AIRPORT TERMINAL in INVERCARGILL – during WORLD WAR TWO the AIRPORT was an AIRFORCE BASE – mentions RAILWAY STATION

13:40 Worked for KEW HOSPITAL as SUPPLY OFFICER – mentions JOHN EDMUNDS – mentions SINGING

15:00 END OF TRACK

Track 5

00:00 continued Recalls working for KEW HOSPITAL – mentions the MATRON LUCAS – became hospital administration officer – SOUTHLAND had twelve MATERNITY HOSPITALS – in charge or HOUSEKEEPING – moved to ACCOUTING – did PLANNING for different clinic BLOCKS and new HOPSITAL in QUEENSTOWN – made DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE for the BOARD – then later PLANNING MANAGER – HOSPITAL BOARDS – left in 1991

03:14 Describes his job as MANAGER for the HOSPITAL – recalls CO-WORKERS and STAFF – enjoyed working for the benefit of the HOSPITAL – describes the work CULTURE – recalls his issues with the change in HEALTHCARE

06:14 MARRIED NANCY for GARSTON – met at CHURCH – NANCY was a DRESSMAKER – TROUSSEAU DRESSMAKING SHOP in INVERCARGILL – mentions DOLSIE BEETLE?

07:29 Recalls DANCING – SAINT JOHNS YOUTH GROUP – BALL SEASON – every FRIDAY night SAINT JOHNS CHURCH PUBLIC DANCE – SATURDAY night YMCA CIVIC THEATRE – mentions pianists JACK THOMSON and GORDON LINDSAY

08:58 Recalls getting his first MOTORCAR – 1950 – 1929 MORRIS MINOR – would repair the cars

09:59 Describes changes in the HOSPITAL BOARD – discipline – dress – procedures – MATERNITY and BIRTH – Mentions KARITANE – DR TRUBY KING – recalls the birth of his FIRST CHILD

11:40 Stood for the OTATARA COMMUNTY BOARD – three terms – worked for GREY POWER – stood for INVERCARGILL CITY COUNCIL – elected for CITY COUNCIL – also went to the BLUFF COMMUNITY BOARD - OTATARA COMMUNTY BOARD was disestablished – mentions REX POWLEY – resigned from COUNCIL in 2010

14:50 Describes waiting for results for ELECTION

15:00 END of TRACK

Track 6

00:00 continues talking about ELECTIONS – was a well-known CONCERT PERFORMER – Recalls story about the SCOTTISH HALL – helped raise money to build the SCOTTISH HALL

01:44 Describes the nature of POPULARITY and COUNCILS

02:27 Describes how he listened to his constituents – mentions EDUCATION MINISTER – attended every meeting – saved five SCHOOLS

03:50 Recalls CLOSURE of OHAI COAL debates

04:23 Describes the RESEARCH and READING required while serving as a COUNCILLOR and CHAIR – WASTE COMMITTEE - CHAIRMAN of WORKS and SERVICES – WASTENET

05:05 Talking about the local SKATE PARK funding – went to the NEWSPAPER and gave an INTERVIEW

06:55 Recalls visit of the QUEEN and PRINCE PHILIP – went to BLUFF to see them at the WHARF – QUEENS PARK BAND ROTUNDA – INVERCARGILL was decorated – visited KEW HOSPITAL – PARADE FIREWORKS over the AIRPORT – TRAFFIC

10:25 Recalls the ISLAND HABOUR BLUFF – built by a FRENCH FIRM – sailed in the REGATTA – built the MEAT LOADERS – FREEZING WORKS – CONTAINER SHIPS

12:00 Recalls MANAPORUI CAMPAIGN – POWER STATION

12:57 Recalls the TIWAI SMELTER – shifted yacht club – made better ROADING around SOUTHLAND and INVERCARGILL – 1971

13:30 Recalls time in the CITY COUNCIL – TIM SHADBOLT - DAVID HARRINGTON – was CHAIRMAN of WORKS and SERVICES

15:00 END OF TRACK

Track 7

00:00 Recalls time in the CITY COUNCIL – story about being approached by TIM SHADBOLT – retired and had a RESERVE named after him – won a NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD – REPLICA BOAT – GEOFF PIERCY RESERVE – turned down being DEPUTY MAYOR

02:00 Recalls his time in the BLUFF COMMUNITY BOARD – part of the BLUFF upgrade around STRILING POINT BLUFF

03:55 Life member of the SOUTHLAND CHORAL society – now defunct – was a soloist – describes problems getting members – Describes the history of the INVERCARGILL MUSICAL UNION – INVERCARGILL ORCHESTRA - EASTER and CHRISTMAS – lists performances

06:05 Recalls SINGING as a CHILD and later – at 20 had a NATIONAL BROADCASTING CONTRACT with RADIO NEW ZEALAND – all live – 4YZ only clear INVERCARGILL RADIO STATION – Recalls being recognised – mentions RICHARD CROOKES? – got to SING all around SOUTHLAND – FUNDRAISING – mentions JOHN BRUCE – laments loss of CONCERT SCENES – recalls getting nervous before performances – sang at the DAWN PARADE

11:22 Recalls SOUTHLAND COMMUNITY BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION – was a TRUSTEE – set up local RADIO STATIONS in INVERCARGILL – would read the SOUTHLAND TIMES on air

12:50 Recalls the feedback from RADIO and SIGNING – SOUTHLAND DAILY NEWS and SOUTHLAND TIMES CRITIC – DEAKER? - WALLACE BUTCHERS –REVIEW of the CONCERTS

14:30 Recalls INVERCARGILL SINGERS

15:00 END OF TRACK

Track 8

00:00 continues recalls INVERCARGILL SINGERS

00:13 Recalls the YACHT CLUB – played with boats in the ESTUARY as a child – became a life member of the YACHT CLUB – represented SOUTHLAND in YACHTING – weekend HOBBY – went with FAMILY – ORETI RIVER – Recalls story of taking three daughters yachting – mentions GRANDCHILDREN

3:00 Describes different SPORTING INTERESTS – OLD BOYS SOCCOR CLUB

03:25 Describes writing experience with the SOUTHLAND EXPRESS and the SOUTHLAND TIMES – written from THE LISTENER – recalls feedback from his columns

05:00 Recalls beginning writing with ALLAN SWALLOW and GREY POWER – SENIOR MOMENTS – doesn’t criticise the COUNCIL

05:57 Currently PRESIDENT of GREY POWER – Recalls retirement and joining the GREY POWER COMMITTEE – also was PRESIDENT of the SUMMER FESTIVAL COMMITTEE – dropped out after being elected to COUNCIL – mentions JOAN ROACH?

08:05 Describes GREY POWER – set up regarding surtax on PENSIONS – once had 8000 members – advocate on behalf of SENIOR CITIZENS - lists achievements - supported by the COMMUNITY TRUST – HEALTH – volunteers

11:20 Recalls hosting number of prominent POLITICIANS - HELEN CLARK – JIM BOLGER – JENNY SHIPLEY – WINSTON PETERS – RODNEY HIDE – organised pre-election events

12:30 Describes his relationship with SAINT JOHNS CHURCH – CHOIR BOY at 9 years old – FATHER went to FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH – GRANSPARENTS were ANGLICAN – Recalls having an audition with the CHOIR MASTER – was a server in the church – was on the vestry – was a Lay Reader

15:00 END OF TRACK

Track 9

00:00 continues SAINT JONHS CHURCH – licenses LAY MINISTERS – recalls being asked to taking a SERMON

01:35 Recalls the SPRINGBOK TOUR – divided the town and church – proud of NEW ZEALAND

03:20 Gives opinions on Māori and Pākehā relationships

05:15 Recalls the 1985 FLOODS – was living in OTATARA – emergencies at the HOSPITAL BOARD – AIRFORCE – people pulled together – had to get in an ARMY bus to drive through the FLOODS – office at the corner of DEE STREET and VICTORICA AVENUE – the AIRPORT was part of the estuary – LAND RECLAMATION

08:05 Recalls instance of another near FLOODING – mentions TIM SHADBOLT and RICHARD KING – flood banks held

08:27 Council appointed to the SOUTHLAND MUSEUM and ART GALLERY – part of later redevelopment plans – describes PYRAMID building

09:19 Director of SOUTHERN PRIMARY HEALTH ORGANISATION – describes organisation and primary and secondary HEALTHCARE and changes

11:48 Director of the INVERCARGILL ELECTRICITY COMPANY and POWERNET – SECRETARY of INVERCARGILL EAST PROBUS

12:40 Recalls his COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT – Recalls what motivated him to run for INVERCARGILL CITY COUNCIL – construction of POOLS – wrote a letter to the PAPER - SURVEY

15:00 END OF TRACK

Track 10

00:00 continues story of INVERCARGILL POOL – DUNE RESERVE – mentions MRS HANAN – recalls his CAMPAIGN

02:47 Thoughts of cultural and social SYSTEMS – CHILDHOOD POTENTIAL – EDUCATION

04:30 Three DAUGHTERS and GRANDCHILDREN – KAREN, KERRIE? and ROBIN – lists GRANDCHILDREN and their occupations

05:56 Describes other HOBBIES – GARDENING

06:20 Describes house in OTATARA – lived there 60 years – recalls change in OTATARA through the years

07:00 NANCY is involved with the EMBROIDERERS GUILD – won prizes

07:33 Gives his words of WISDOM for the young people today – GOALS – recalls giving a lecture at a HIGH SCHOOL – mentions GORDON HOFFMAN – REGRETS – GOOD LIFE

12:06 END OF TRACK/INTERVIEW