JANICE CLAIRE LOWERY

Interviewer: Nancy Burnett

Abstracter: Jean Hawkes

TRACK 1

00:00 Interview identification

00:34 JANICE CLAIRE LOWERY born 19 January 1950

00:43 Recording Agreement

01:19 Involved in 1984 Floods at OTAUTAU

01:25 [NAME]: Before marriage JAN MORRISON (married JOHN LOWERY) Was living at 25 CHESTER STREET, OTAUTAU PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH on CHESTER STREET

01:48 [FAMILY SITUATION]: Was living in OTAUTAU with two teenage children 02:01 [OCCUPATION]: Book-keeper at JOHN LOWERY'S Joinery Factory

02:10 [COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT]: Self – not much. JOHN with VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE – became CHIEF FIRE OFFICER

02:36 Serious concerns night before flooding – JOHN to LUMSDEN – Returned home 2am – Conditions and concerned – Described

03:18 Siren about 7.45am – JOHN dealing with various surface water problems during day. NANTWICH STREET – Mentioned

04:10 Re-action of self and neighbours to the flow of brown liquid coming towards them. Mrs JUNE ARMSTRONG – Mrs LANE – RYE STREET – Mentioned

05:05 Arrival of bus – Evacuation to GOLF COURSE – Described Proposed visit GLENORCHY – Mentioned 05:39 Keys to own house given to JOHN KEEN – Actions to secure items – Described Children's reaction to 'saving' TV set – Described JOHN KEEN – DAVY BECK – GRANT DAHLENBERG – Mentioned

06:29 Both sons with self – No knowledge of whereabouts of husband – Feelings of uncertainty – Described 07:09 Own home flooded.

07:17 Confusion at GOLF COURSE – Described

08:00 Confiscation and use of jet boat by non-locals – Described 09:01 Isolated at GOLF COURSE due to flood waters at bottom of hill. 09:29 Contributions of food – 25 to 30 evacuees Facilities at GOLF COURSE – Described

10:43 Helicopter – Disappointment of children (no rides)

10:57 Several children cared for by local lady – Self's feelings – Described JUKES family – Mentioned

11:24 Children's reaction to flood – an adventure Emotions on returning home – State of stamp collections

12:06 Duration of stay at GOLF COURSE – Described

12:33 Self's removal from GOLF COURSE to DAHLENBERG farm by car – Described OTAUTAU – ALLISON ROAD – Mentioned

13:48 Appreciative of help from young men – still friends with them

14:12 Return to own home next day – Refused Concern for cat – found up a tree – Described Flood on Friday – Allowed to visit home on Sunday

15:00 End of Track 1

TRACK 2

00:00 Site of own home – Described 00:27 Found by husband – Described FIRE BRIGADE personnel had very long days – Described DAHLENBERG – Mentioned

01:15 Clean-up by FIRE BRIGADE took long time Self and family out of own home about six weeks

01:52 FIREMEN during and after flood – Described Self does not recall counselling being available for anyone too stressed out

02:27 Camaraderie among community – Many OTAUTAU people affected – Described

03:00 Self office worker at JOINERY FACTORY – Factory affected in flood Motors affected by floodwater removed from machinery – Sent to INVERCARGILL before city flooded Business functioning about a week after flood – Working 12-hour days – Described KING STREET – Mentioned

04:33 Builders very busy for several months

04:44 Structure of doors and need for repair/replacement – Explained

05:08 Difficulties sourcing materials – Shortages – Described

05:44 Return to 'normality' very difficult after being displaced – Described

06:06 Water surrounding own home pumped out by FIRE BRIGADE – Described TELECOM – BOWLING GREEN – RYE STREET – Mentioned

06:43 Motors running all day and every day – Clean-up process – Described

07:06 Removal of own carpets by tractor and truck – Described Care of carpets after removal – Described Recycling of carpets – Described RUSSELL DAHLENBERG – Mentioned

08:00 Husband coping with own business – being fireman – his home and family Family stayed with husband's parents for about 5 weeks until stress occurred

08:46 Returned to own home – Condition – Described Cooking facilities – Described

09:26 Own home last one to be repaired

09:33 List of priorities for repairs/replacements – Explained Assistance not available from INVERCARGILL

10: 37 State of own garden and crops – Contamination and rotting plants – Described Condition of garden following year – Described

12:00 Self did expect flood to have such widespread affects other than to buildings and possessions – Explained

12:21 After effects on own cat and own family – Described

12:41 Another flood in OTAUTAU in 1987 Family evacuated overnight to 'TREE HUT' (Rugby Club Rooms) at HOLT PARK Flood banks held Psychological effects – Described

13:33 North side of river affected (in 1987)

13:53 Visit to own home by insurance assessor – Reimbursement problems – Explained Money in hands of mortgagors...

15:00 End of Track 2

TRACK 3

00:00 Attitude of staff member – Described Involvement of lawyer of several months before money received. Mortgage paid – no further contact with firm.

00:38 Little things people unaware of happening – Calculations for replacement of carpet 'FAIR GO' – Mentioned

01:26 Reactions of sons on return home – Described Stamps and photographs ruined Difficult for all mothers and children

02:11 Husbands over-tired and grumpy – Worked 12 hour days

02:27 Teddy Bears and dolls very important to children Own children had kangaroo and koala – Needed sterilising – Prized possessions

03:25 Thoughts after 25 years

04:16 End of Track 3