Places

Date: 16, 19, 22 Mar 2011 - 16 Mar 2011 - 22 Mar 2011

From: To the ends of the world - trans Tasman migration in the 1950s oral history project

By: Hodges, James Carroll, 1929-

Reference: OHInt-0991-01

Description: James Carroll Hodges, born at Invercargill in 1929. Backgrounds family history of immigrant great grandparents, grandparents and parents, their occupations, education, accidents and familial connection to local Maori Ngati Mamoe tribe at Colac Bay, Southland. Tells of muttonbirding season activities on the islands, personal links to Maori community, and childhood memories of his mother and maternal grandmother and siblings. Talks about family routines at home in his childhood, games and adventures with siblings and lack of material wealth. Recalls schooling with his Commonwealth medallist headmaster Jim Leckie, and impact of World War Two in the classroom and on local men, plus the family move to Invercargill where he was apprenticed for five years as a cabinetmaker. Talks about working on an Oamaru sheep farm and in Pukeuri freezing works before going to Wellington to take a ship to Australia at the time of the 1951 waterfront lock out. Describes voyage and initial experiences on arrival in Newcastle, working in Sydney as an egg checker and moving north to Leeton, New South Wales. Talks of work life there on a fruit farm, rice farm and at the Letona cannery. Recounts various adventures in the sun, heat, dust storms and flies of the harsh Australian outback climate. Comments on his first impression of Aboriginal people and attitudes of Australians to aborigines and immigrants. He reflects on his desire to assimilate as an average Australian, and his lack of homesickness and communication with home. Talks of seeking work in Broken Hill and Whyalla, where he worked as an engine fireman, life in boarding houses, and his first aeroplane trip to Adelaide and Melbourne. Describes his return to work in the Letona cannery where he met his wife and future brother-in-law. Talks about his wedding and the move to New Zealand in 1952, and how he missed his Australian mates. Describes pressure of renovating their home at the same time as working at a building firm and sheep station, thus missing the birth of his first child. Tells of their trips back to Australia and encouraging Australian friends to emigrate to New Zealand. Talks about his work as a builder and joiner until his lung condition forced him to take a job as a school groundsman and maintence man. Describes his life after retirement at 60, the end of his marriage, selling his home and living in a motor camp. Reflects on the importance in his life of his travel to Australia and the close friendships he made there. Interviewer(s) - Linda Hepburn Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHDL-001604 Quantity: 1 digital sound recording(s) digital sound recording(s). 2 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 printed abstract(s). 1 digital photograph(s). 1 electronic scan(s) of original black and white photographic print(s). 1 interview(s). 6.10 Hours and minutes Duration. Physical Description: Sound files - wave files; Textual files - Microsoft word; Image files - Tiff Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7448, OHDL-001605. Scanned B&W photograph of Jim Hodges in Australia in the 1950s; photograph of Jim Hodges taken at the time of his interview in March 2011

Date: 18 May 2001

From: Anglo-Indian lives oral history project

By: Leckey, Richard Edward, 1937-

Reference: OHInt-0562/07

Description: Richard Leckey was born in Gazaiabad in 1937. Explains that his father worked for the railways, talks about his transfers and recalls memories of Kotri, railway houses and servants. Mentions his brothers and step-sisters, his own schooling at Lawrence College. Recalls his experiences of partition. Talks of his sister living in New Zealand, followed by the rest of the family, and his father's money in India. Talks of his carpentry apprenticeship in Auckland and describes his various jobs with hydro schemes. Mentions his wife's work on a psychiatric ward, his work in the same hospital and at a freezing works. Mentions his returned serviceman's loan, wanting to buy land. Talks of Maori associations, his genealogy, the SAS in New Zealand and why he left it. Explains the changes in his religions and mentions Indian religions. Talks of his family in Australia, Pakistan and England, school uniform, western clothes, mealtimes and games played and mixing with Muslim children. Mentions club membership and cultural differences. Talks of his drinking habit, settling in New Zealand and outlines the differences in lifestyle. Talks about his property in Karamea, and interest in forestry, his carpentry and building. Awards/funding - Project received an Oral History Grant Interviewer(s) - Dorothy McMenamin Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008512, OHC-008513 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-2645.

Date: 01 Jun 2001

From: The quality of life for older women oral history project

By: Hilliard, Maureen Patricia, active 1998-2001

Reference: OHInt-0523/01

Description: Pat Hilliard talks about owning freehold properties, living in a retirement village and managing her mortgage on government superannuation. Explains about property maintenance of her current home. Discusses her normally good health and a recent hospital experience. Relates her eating habits, diet and enjoyment of cooking. Recalls the hearty food she provided for her children when living in the colder climate of Bluff and Invercargill. Mentions activities with her grandchildren. Talks about her exercise and social contacts. Names the entertainment group of the Country Women's Institute, Invercargill Operatic Society, delivering Meals-on-Wheels, choir membership, helping at Longview Resthome and teaching adults to read. Discusses driving her car and the convenience of the local transport. Describes how care and craft meetings are run, her role as a volunteer and describes the people who attend. Explains about her retirement at 55 and subsequent jobs taken until she was 60. Talks of her schooling, attitudes towards older women and the responsibilities of women living alone. Recalls her mother's stroke and caring for her as the youngest of six daughters. Talks of the long life span of family members. Interviewer(s) - Isobel Munro Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-009083 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA 2880.

Date: 28 Apr 2006 and 29 Apr 2006 - 28 Apr 2006 - 29 Apr 2006

From: Dunedin Dancing Competitions oral history project

By: Scandrett, Glenys Anne, 1938-

Reference: OHInt-0812-03

Description: Born in Westport, 1938. Discusses family background and family life in Westport - talks about moving to Dunedin. Refers to the family's history of dancing and music. Talks about beginning classes with Lily Stevens at the age of eight - recalls the studio and her classmates. Describes Lily's teaching style - mentions pianist Eli Gray Smith. Details the clothing and costumes she wore - mentions that pointe shoes had to be ordered from England at the time. Recalls Lily's character - discusses the influence she had on dancing in Dunedin. Talks about Lily's training and how she started teaching - mentions Anna Pavlova. Discusses Lily's choreography. Details the dances Lily choreographed for the Solo Seal exam - recalls dancing as a Shadow and describes the avant-garde nature of the costumes. Recalls the big recitals held at Mayfair Theatre. Talks about going to study at the Borovansky School in Melbourne - mentions her teacher Martin Reubenstein. Talks about being fifteen and living in Melbourne. Discusses her reasons for returning to New Zealand after a year. Talks about her marriage and becoming a dance teacher - mentions Valerie Bailey and Erica Stevenson. Discusses teaching in Green Island - describes the studio she taught in. Talks about her teaching partnership with Dawn Robinson. Details the process of choreographing the dance competitions - talks about the importance of having live music accompaniment. Talks about feeling stifled by life in suburbia - discusses leaving it all behind. Discusses the challenge of juggling her art with being a wife and mother. Talks about her reasons for giving up teaching in the 1970s - mentions leaving her marriage around this time. Discusses this new phase in her life - talks about finding a flat and working at the Fortune Theatre in Dunedin. Describes the response from family and friends. Discusses her reasons for moving to Australia. Talks about her work in the hotel industry. Mentions her daughters Jackie and Loryn. Talks about beginning teaching again upon her return to Dunedin - discusses the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus. Mentions Robyn Sinclair. Talks about teaching American Jazz Tap for the British Ballet Association - discusses the differences between the British Ballet Association and the Royal Academy of Dance. Talks about teaching in Invercargill - discusses the competitions her students dance in and how the sections are judged. Mentions the British Ballet Association Alicia Markarova Awards. Talks about the Bluff Oyster Festival which she has choreographed for the last four years - describes the terrible weather they had in the first two years. Talks about past themes - details one year when the children were dressed up as penguins and were blown off the stage by the wind. Discusses the process of making up a dance - talks about finding the right music and the importance of the costume. Describes where she get inspiration for her choreography. Discusses the upcoming end-of-year recitals and talks about her possible retirement. Abstracted by - Lyne Pringle Interviewer(s) - Lyne Pringle Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-014833 - OHC-014835 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 2.40 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5370.

Date: 3 Jul 2003 - 03 Jul 2003

From: Oral history of cycling in New Zealand

By: Tall, Lawrence Edward, 1926-

Reference: OHInt-0783-15

Description: Interview with Laurie Tall born 1926 in Bluff, Invercargill. Talks about becoming involved in cycle racing with Harry Hubber and Ian Fergusson at the age of 17 years. Recalls several of his wins and various tracks he raced on including the Kew Bowl. Mentions the formation of the Otago Southland Centre and the Waikiwi Club. Talks about his experiences as the coach for the Southland team. Recalls Southland hosting the 1964 New Zealand Championships and winning. Discusses the physical and psychological aspect of training, racing rules and the various controversies including drugs and riders competing for cash. Recalls his involvement in the first Tour of Southland in 1956. Talks about the history of the Tour of Southland from its earlier version called Tour de Southland in the 1930s. Mentions cyclists including Warrick Dalton, Tino Tabak, Brian Fowler and Max Langshaw. Interviewer(s) - Jonathan Kennett Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-4163. Colour photograph of Laurie Tall Search dates: 1926 - 2003

Date: 2 May 2006 - 02 May 2006

From: Office of the Auditor-General History project

By: Spencer, Alan Morton, 1939-; Fowke, Susan, 1944-2017

Reference: OHInt-0838-08

Description: Interview with Alan Spencer, born Crayford, Kent, 24 January 1939. Talks about his family background and early childhood during World War II in southeast London and Cheshire. Explains his early interest in geography and travel - by bicycle in Britain and by motorcycle in New Zealand. Refers to meeting his wife Jan Gash in 1962 through a church group, marrying in 1964, and their three children. Mentions getting a job as an audit clerk in a London accountancy firm after leaving school, and deciding to emigrate to New Zealand to avoid national service. Discusses being accepted for a public service assisted immigrant scheme and being allocated to the Audit Department when he arrived in Wellington. Describes working in the Credit Section and then briefly in Public Accounts before going to the New Plymouth District Office and later to Invercargill. Talks about the culture in the Department and about living in boarding houses. Discusses the work of district offices, the travel involved, and auditing local bodies. Talks about returning to Head Office, Wellington as an assistant auditor in the Local Bodies Branch in 1967, working with legislation, particularly the Local Authorities (Members' Interests) Act, and being introduced to the reporting side of the Office. Mentions moving to the Public Accounts Section in 1972, and explains the 'Controller' function of the Auditor-General. Refers to a secondment to Treasury for two years to design a new centralised government accounting system - a computerised system that required departments to take more responsibility for their accounting. Mentions that a large part of his work of the last 20 years of his career was report writing - including the Annual Report to Parliament. Discusses auditors-general in his time and refers to the restructuring of the department under Jeff Chapman into policy and operational arms. Mentions the Public Audit Act 2001 and attempts by Treasury and some members of parliament to reduce the role of the Office. Discusses controversies over members of parliaments' priviledges and advertising by government agencies, referring to the fact that the Auditor-General can only report and has no power of enforcement. Interviewer(s) - Susan Fowke Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-015410, OHC-015411, OHC-015412, OHC-015413 Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 interview(s). 3.29 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5586. Colour and B&W portraits Search dates: 1939 - 1958 - 2006 - 2004