Places

Date: 24 May 1998

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

By: Foley, Jacqueline, 1951-; Quinn, Brian Patrick, 1941-

Reference: OHInt-0509/13

Description: Brian Quinn was born at New Plymouth in 1941. Describes moving to Otorohanga, Rangiatea, South Waikato, King Country and Aria because of his father's work on stations (farming). Talks about the family Pontiac, a Fordson tractor, their home, the importance of music in the home and his sister being in a band. Describes going to Otorohanga school, `wagging' and going to Aria School. Comments on his father's frustration at not being able to go to World War II. Mentions the impact of his parent's getting land though it was `hard country'. Describes driving cows from Otorohanga to Aria. Discusses childhood activities including Christmas. Mentions his mother's relatives. Describes leaving school at the age of fifteen, going shearing, the challenge of shearing, working with Stuart and Hilton Cheeseman, open and contract shearing, the atmosphere in the shed, the second shear, shearing Romneys and Border Leicesters, attitudes to the farmers, the relationship between shearers and shed hands, wages and wet weather. Mentions Tom and John Brough, Murray McSkimming, Bing Macdonald and Malcolm Barclay. Refers to his physique for shearing and conserving energy. Discusses entering local shearing competitions. Comments on the career highlight of winning the 1962 senior Golden Shears then the open championship in 1965. Talks about preparing for the Golden Shears by shearing round Masterton and Pahiatua. Discusses shearing gear. Comments on not being able to go on the overseas trips which were part of the prize. Talks about not entering the Golden Shears in 1969 and helping George Potae. Describes meeting his wife Lyn. Discusses dances and the pictures at Te Kuiti and Piopio. Recalls going for a trip to Gore and Alexandra, staying at Alexandra and getting a job with Murray McSkimming. Comments on the Shearers' Union in the south and how contractors looked after shearers. Talks about the role of the woolclasser. Discusses improvements in shearing technology including safety features the worm drive and spline drive. Talks about his contracting business with wife Lyn Quinn and having 50 to 60 employees. Discusses sorting out staffing difficulties. Mentions shearers' use of alcohol, changes in shearers over the years and having been a shearer for forty one years despite his original intention to shear to make money to buy a farm. Describes his move to Clyde. Details his children and their ages. Mentions the importance of family support at competitions particularly at the 1980 World Championship at Masterton where he won. Describes finding winning the Golden Shears emotional and not liking the limelight. Comments on Maori shearing style and the absence of racial discrimination. Talks about female shearer Michelle Harrex. Comments that he is known as `Snow' Quinn. Interviewer(s) - Jacqueline Foley Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2523. Photos of Brian Quinn, Golden Shears champion in 1965, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971 and 1972 competing in competitions. Photo of Brian Quinn in 1998.

Date: 08 Jun 2006 to 18 Sep 2006 - 08 Jun 2006 - 18 Sep 2006

By: Mackenzie Centre Community Trust; Foley, Jacqueline, 1951-

Reference: OHColl-0829

Description: Interviews with those who worked on the hydro electric dam projects in the Mackenzie Basin and residents in towns nearby. The hydro dam systems include the Upper Waitaki system and the Waitaki system. The interviewees are, Michael Higgins, Sid Hurst, Peter Law, Struan Munro, Barry Phibbs, Esta Phibbs, Marion Sheridan, Max Smith and Alistair Wills. Abstracted by - Jacquie Foley Interviewer(s) - Jacqui Foley Quantity: 15 C60 cassette(s). 9 printed abstract(s). 9 interview(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete.

Date: 2004-2005

By: Foley, Jacqueline, 1951-

Reference: OHColl-1114

Description: Oral history project in response to Project Aqua, a proposed $1.2 billion hydro-scheme by Meridian Energy Ltd on the Waitaki River, announced in 2001. Project Aqua would have diverted 73 per cent of the water in the lower Waitaki River into a 63 kilometre canal housing six power stations. The hydro project was ultimately cancelled in 2004. The collection contains seven interviews with a cross-section of the community, including those for and opposed to the project, and others who played representative and negotiating roles. Awards/funding - Project received an Australian Sesquicentennial Gift Trust Award, and an Award in Oral History Interviewer(s) - Jacqui Foley Quantity: 15 C60 cassette(s). 7 interview(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete. Search dates: 2001 - 2004

Date: 2 - 3 Aug 1997 - 02 Aug 1997 - 03 Aug 1997

By: Foley, Jacqueline, 1951-; Brosnahan, Mary Josephine, 1915-1998; Brosnahan, Desmond Francis, 1941-

Reference: OHInt-0410-01

Description: Describes her childhood as the eldest of nine children growing up on her parents' farm, in the Cave, Cannington area and time spent living with her Aunty Jean who owned the `Excelsior Hotel' in Timaru. Mentions schooling at Teschemakers and working on the family farm for ten years, including the Depression years. Talks about looking after the younger children, housework, farm work, social events, particularly dances, and a family holiday. Describes going to Wellington for 3 months where she worked as a housemaid-waitress at Eastbourne and coming back engaged to Peter, a South Canterbury boy she had known for years. After her marriage in 1940 she had son Desmond (1941) before Peter was called up and spent two and a half years during World War 2 in the Islands (New Caledonia). He returned after the death of a newborn baby. He was a farm manager at Four Peaks before successfully balloting for land at Peel Forest where they farmed for twenty years. Talks about Peter's death at the age of 58, their children growing up, Catholicism, her move to Timaru after Peter's death and living with her daughter ahd husband. Abstracted by - Jacqueline Foley Sponsored by - Desmond Brosnahan Interviewer(s) - Jacqueline Foley Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-006849-006852; OHLC-004167-004170 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3.24 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1597. Search dates: 1915 - 1997