Interview with Doreen Blumhardt

Doreen Blumhardt was born in Whangarei on 7 March 1914. Describes how her grandfather, father and ten of her father's siblings came to New Zealand in 1895. Talks about how her father and brothers returned to Germany to find wives. Notes that her father quickly became a New Zealand citizen. Recalls the family's dairy farm in Kamo, milking animals, contact with relatives and music and reading as activities.

Recalls speaking German until she started school. Recalls an anti-German primary school teacher and the difficult time her family had during World War I. Describes having to sell the family farm in the Depression. Talks about attending Whangarei High School. Notes that the closure of teachers colleges during the Depression prevented her attending. Recalls her aunty Eleonore Blumhardt, a Christchurch botanical artist, inviting her to Christchurch. Recalls her aunt helping her through the Canterbury Society of Arts and later attending Christchurch Teachers College. Describes becoming a member of the Christian Science Church.

Discusses the traumatic effects of World War II on her family. Describes the internment of her father at Pahiatua and on Somes Island. Recalls being interviewed, with her brother, by a lawyer about their German connections. Notes that her brother was transferred from his job in telecommunications and joined the Army. Describes joining the Red Cross. Discusses moving to Wellington as a teacher. Recalls Wellington German friends including Ernest Plischke and Marie Vandewart. Describes a post war visit to Germany, closeness to her German relatives and feeling of being a New Zealander.

Describes becoming Head of Art at Wellington Teachers Training College and living with a group of people including Brian Brake. Recalls Pat Macaskill and Tony Vogt. Describes the growth of her interest in pottery. Comments on being single and the development of her career. Talks about developing a Wellington property, her friend Freda Anderson, being the Vice President of the Academy of Fine Arts and receiving the CBE.

Comments on the need to educate people against war.

Accompanying material - Doreen Blumhardt's curriculum vitae is included in the abstract

Venue - Wellington : 1992

Interviewer(s) - Susan Fowke

Venue - Wellington

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-005787-005789; OHLC-007004-007006

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

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 1204.

Alternative form available: Listening copies of LC-7004 to LC-7006