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Date: 20 Sept 2001 - 20 Sep 2001

From: Otaki oral history project

By: Swabey, Barbara Vernon, 1910-2003; Thorpe, Agnes Anne, 1939-

Reference: OHInt-0673-01

Description: Barbara Swabey was born in Wellington in 1911. Talks about her grandparents. Talks about how her grandmother Frances Simcox, nee Colenso, grew up on a mission station in Hastings, and spoke fluent Maori. Talks about her grandparents moving to Otaki in 1878, farming and building a homestead on leased Maori land at the Forest Lakes, and having a tennis court and a cook. Refers to her grandfather William Simcox, playing the organ at the Rangiatea Church, when Bishop Hadfield ran the Anglican mission. Mentions the missioners, the McWilliams. Refers to her parents settling in Otaki, and her father working at the butter factory. Mentions attending Miss Baber's (later Marsden) School, and boarding to attend Wellington Girls College. Mentions a governess. Describes holidays at the family's camping bach, her mother learning to drive a car, hotels, and shops. Talks about Karitane training in Wanganui, working as a Karitane nurse in Wellington during the Second World War, and returning to Otaki to nurse her mother until she died in 1958. Mentions travel was difficult during the war. Talks about being a life member of the golf club. Talks about writing articles for the Otaki Historical Society journal. Talks about her mother's family, who came from Birmingham. Interviewer(s) - Anne Thorpe Accompanying material - Notes written by Barbara prior to interview in 2001 Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-11058 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3866. Photo of Barbara ca 2000; photo of Lincoln Imp, bought from England by mother; photocopies of family holiday camp built by Barbara's grandmother (Frances Simcox); photocopy of photo of Barbara as child in a boat Search dates: 1870 - 2000