Places

Date: 20-21 May 1998 - 20 May 1998 - 21 May 1998

From: Gore District oral history project

By: Ashby, Ronald William, 1937-; Frizzell, Helen Isobel, active 1986-

Reference: OHInt-0428/01

Description: Ron Ashby was born in Gore in 1937. Gives details of his family background, his parents' meeting and moving to Mandeville where his father was a rabbiter, farm labourer and seed dresser. Describes how rabbits were a source of income and part of the family diet. Describes a family of ten children and their move to Gore to work at the Fleming and Company factory in 1950. Describes Fleming's products Creamoata, rolled oats and oatmeal and the Fleming's symbol Sergeant Dan. Recalls family relationships, discipline, going to the pictures and music being a large part of their lives. Mentions pipe bands and playing in a dance band. Recalls going to Sunday School and leaving school to make a financial contribution to the family. Recalls getting a labouring job with Flemings in 1952 and then being offered an engineering job. Comments on limited employment in Gore, the predominantly male workforce at the time and the fewer jobs now available at Flemings. Discusses improved hygiene, occupational safety and health and standards. Refers to ISO 9001. Mentions the elimination of the dust problem. Outlines his career path at Flemings including training as an engine driver, getting certificates and becoming an adult apprentice electrician. Describes his current role as technical milling engineer. Comments on the role of the Flemings Company in helping staff undertake training. Discusses the challenge of keeping Flemings in Gore when the main market for the product is in Auckland. Comments on the role of technology. Discusses the importance of quality oats and how the local area is good for growing oats. Mentions the diversification in breakfast cereals from 1973. Mentions flaked oats and muesli. Describes the remodelling of the mill in 1978/1979 as the highlight of his working career. Comments on the importance of good management and the relationship between staff and management at Flemings. Mentions Gordon Glennie, John Fotheringham, Stan Adams, Malcolm Cole, Stan Staton and Dawn Brocks. Discusses the sale of Flemings to Northern Roller Milling Company and then Watties. Mentions the marketing is done by Bluebird. Describes redundancies after the loss of the Australian oat bran market. Discusses legislation affecting Flemings including the Resource Management Act. Talks about the factory's contribution to the local economy. Mentions the firm has been in business for 120 years and comments on Flemings as a `heritage brand'. Mentions his imminent retirement to Kaka Point. Talks about the influence of Doug Robins, Frank Clark, Jack Tutty and Les Main. Mentions his wife Margaret Ashby and children Ronald, Anthony and Christoper. Interviewer(s) - Helen Frizzell Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2592.

Date: 2012

From: Fletcher, David, 1952- :Digital cartoons

By: Dominion post (Newspaper)

Reference: DCDL-0019882

Description: 'The Politician' cartoon strip. The minister has decided that he wants the new food standards rushed through after he got food poisoning. Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).