Interview with Trevor Colway

Trevor Colway (nee Hunter) was born in Wanganui and named Trevor because her mother was sure she was carrying a boy. Describes problems arising from having a boy's name. Childhood spent moving around the country as father was a bank officer. Recalls moving back to Wanganui with her mother when her parents separated.

Describes learning to dance at Clifton House School, lessons as a child from Audrey Hughs-Johnston, ballet training and working between studios in Hawera and Palmerston North.

Recalls learning to fly and in 1933 making a historic flight with Ted Harvey from Cape Reinga to Bluff. Talks about returning to Wanganui in 1936, joining with Audrey Hughs-Johnston and later taking over the studio until 1941 when she went to England, joined the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) and was trained to fly many types of planes. Gives details of the ATA's job flying aircraft from the factory to the squadrons during World War II. Describes going to Sydney after the War, sitting her Intermediate grade ballet examinations, returning to Wanganui and teaching ballet and ballroom dancing until retirement. Discusses getting her her commercial pilot's licence and giving up flying in 1952 when she was pregnant.

Mrs Conway is a life member of the Wanganui Aero Club and recently became the first woman to be Patron of a New Zealand aero club.

Abstracted by - Karen Kitson

Awards/funding - Funded through the Women's Suffrage Centennial Year Trust

Other - Additional information including newspaper articles and photographs held at WRM Archives.

Interviewer(s) - Karen Kitson

Venue - 93 Heads Road, Wanganui

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-006709

Tape numbers - OHC-006710

Tape numbers - OHC-006711

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1565.

One photograph of Trevor Colway

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-007021 - OHLC-007023

Copies held at Whanganui Regional Museum