Bowen, Walter Godfrey, 1922-1994

Date: 15 May 1962

From: Open Country Sound Recordings

Reference: OHInt-0002/015

Description: Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Wellington Interviewer(s) - Jim Henderson, presenter Venue - NZBC Studios, Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHT5-0015 Quantity: 1 5" reel(s). 1 event(s). 16 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - other No script available.

Date: 25 Oct 1997

From: Past champions oral history project - The Shear History Trust Golden Shears Open Champions

By: Herrick, Greg, active 2000; Bowen, Ivan Verdun, 1916-2007

Reference: OHInt-0509/02

Description: Ivan Bowen was born in Dannevirke in 1916. Describes the influence of his parents and growing up with four competitive brothers. Talks about his early childhood on Craggie Range sheep station, managed by his father, between Hastings and Waimarama. Describes being taught by a governess and moving to a farm near Te Puke in 1932. Recalls the Napier earthquake. Discusses learning how to shear by watching shearers. Describes the family's involvement in saw-milling and their portable mill. Explains the Bowen style of shearing and its development. Comments on the competitive nature of brother Godfrey Bowen. Mentions Godfrey Bowen became Field Director for NZ Wool Board and set up a Wool Board Training Scheme which is still used. Describes Ivan and Godfrey Bowen's joint venture building and operating a skating rink in Mount Maunganui about 1938. Talks about being manpowered shearing sheep during the war and describes the guilt of not being `called up'. Describes how he shore seven days a week for long hours. Describes how he and brother Godfrey Bowen were a team shearing in the Te Puke area. Recalls his first shearing competition about 1938-1939 and becoming a winner in competitions a few years later. Describes `full wool' and `second shear' sheep and the benefits of second shear. Talks about breaking the world shearing record at Ruatoria in 1956 when he shore 463 sheep. Describes the buildup, the atmosphere and winning the inaugural Golden Shears in Masterton in 1961. Comments that this was his greatest shearing achievemnt as he was forty five years old. Mentions Bing McDonald, Godfrey Bowen and Mac Potai (Potae). Describes the prize giving. Recalls managing three sawmills with Eaon Bowen in the Bay of Plenty in the 1960s. Describes the death of his brother Colin at Manawahe. Talks about wood chopping, breaking in horses, taxidermy and being a NZ Wool Board Shearing Instructor for several years. Mentions being a marriage celebrant and Justice of the Peace (JP). Discusses his Christian beliefs, healing and preaching experiences. Talks about the agrodome at Rotorua which was the brainchild of Godfrey Bowen. Explains that it was an instant success with tourists and gives details of a visit. Describes marriage to Joyce since 1940 and their children Kate, Nancy and Grant. Comments on the relationship between shearing gangs and farmers. Compares shearers' clothing in the 1930s and the 1990s. Describes gear used, a typical day, food, safety, the lack of hygiene and toilet facilities. Mentions the introduction of unions and changes in conditions. Discusses Maori in the sheds and his experience of racial harmony. Talks about shearing as a living and leisure. Discusses shearing technique and the `blow'. Discusses breaking a world record for a four man team. Describes still leading an active life. Interviewer(s) - Greg Herrick Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008235; OHC-008236; OHC-008237 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2511.

Date: 1950-2000

From: Dominion Post (Newspaper): Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post and Dominion newspapers

Reference: PAColl-7327-1-162

Description: Photographs relating to the lives of prominent New Zealanders, arranged alphabetically from BAT to BR, taken and collected by the Evening Post. Images taken in New Zealand and abroad, by a range of photographers, between 1950 and 2000. Quantity: 1 box(es) of prints, grouped in folders.

Date: [195-]

From: New Zealand Wool Board :Photographs

By: Argosy Industrial Photos

Reference: PAColl-9187

Description: Godfrey Bowen blindfold shearing a sheep at a 1950s Fleece to Fashion show. Bruce Petrie, Wool Board Director of Promotions, gives a commentary. Photograph taken 1950s by Argosy Industrial Photos, Palmerston North. The venue is probably Milne & Choyce department store. Inscriptions: Verso - centre - Godfrey Bowen blindfold shearing at a 1950s Fleece to Fashion show. Bruce Petrie, Wool Board Director of Promotions, gives a commentary; Verso - top right - 2270-17; Verso - centre - Copyright: Argosy Industrial Photos Palmerston North Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print 16.7 x 21.6 cm

Date: 6 Jan 1954

From: Tourist and Publicity

By: Christensen, Edward Percival, 1907-1982

Reference: 1/4-019827-F

Description: Champion shearers Ivan and Godfrey Bowen demonstrating shearing at McLean Park, Napier, during the visit of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. Photograph taken by Edward Percival Christensen, for the National Publicity Studios. Source of descriptive information - Notes on file print. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative Processing information: Copyright and Access Restrictions updated December 2022.

Date: 11 February 1953

From: New Zealand Free Lance : Photographic prints and negatives

Reference: PAColl-6303-05

Description: Godfrey Bowen shearing a sheep, probably during his tour of New Zealand to demonstrate the Bowen technique. Taken by an unidentified photographer, circa 11 February 1953. Note on back of original print reads: Sheep farming. Shearing. Keeping the skin of the neck tight with the left hand. Godfrey Bowen p 11/2/53. Note on back of file print reads: Godfrey Bowen. Probably a demonstration during the 1950s when Bowen, accompanied by manager Bob Mills, toured both islands demonstrating his smooth, relaxed style, prior to setting up his Wool Board shearing schools - one based at Lincoln; one at Massey. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print

Date: 6 Jan 1954

From: Tourist and Publicity

Reference: 1/4-019828-F

Description: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, talking to champion shearers, brothers Walter and Ivan Bowen, after a shearing demonstration at McLean Park, Napier, 6 January 1954. Photograph taken for the National Publicity Studios by E P Christensen. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative Processing information: Copyright and Access Restrictions updated December 2022.

Date: [ca 6 January 1953]

From: Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper

Reference: EP/1953/0034-G

Description: Godfrey Bowen shearing a sheep at the Akers station at Opiki, Manawatu, taken ca 6 January 1953 by an unidentified Evening Post staff photographer. Caption - Original caption reads "Husky 32-year-old Godfrey Bowen whips the fleece off one of the 456 sheep that went through his hands yesterday when he set a new world's shearing record for a nine hour day." Inscriptions: Marginal notes on negative - beneath image - 1953 34 Godfrey Bowen set a world record by shearing 456 ewes in nine hours on this occasion Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Glass negative Finding Aids: Print available in Turnbull Library Pictures Evening Post illustrations files at EP-Obits-Bo (18/4).

Date: [ca 10 August 1963]

From: Dominion Post (Newspaper): Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post and Dominion newspapers

Reference: EP/1963/2530-F

Description: Photograph of Godfrey Bowen upon his return from the Soviet Union, taken ca 10 August 1963 by an unidentified Evening Post staff photographer. Bowen is wearing a suit and is sitting at a table with his hands clasped in front of him. Inscriptions: Marginal notes on negative - above image - 1963 2530 Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative Finding Aids: Print available in Turnbull Library Pictures Evening Post illustrations files at EP-Obits-Bo (18/4).

Date: 6 January 1954

From: Tourist and Publicity

By: Christensen, Edward Percival, 1907-1982

Reference: 1/2-042278-F

Description: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip meeting champion shearers Ivan and Godfrey Bowen at McLean Park, Napier. Photographed on 6th January 1954 by Edward Percival Christensen. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative Processing information: Copyright and Access Restrictions updated December 2022.