Auckland Mental Hospital

Date: 19 Nov 1999

From: NZ CCS Otago Inc oral history project

By: Palmer, Shirley Lorraine, 1934-2017

Reference: OHInt-0468/11

Description: Lorraine Palmer was born in Cromwell in 1934 and raised in the small rural Central Otago community of Bannockburn where her parents farmed. Recalls family life, a love of the environment and art. Mentions her father was a CCS foundation member joining the organisation in 1934. Describes primary school at Bannockburn and the shock of moving to Dunedin to attend secondary school at Columba College. Describes Occupational Therapy training at the Avondale Mental Hospital in Auckland in 1952. Comments on the craft work and its role in assisting people in their rehabilitation. Recalls her final six months of training at Seacliff Hospital and working at the Occupational Therapy department of Dunedin Public Hospital. Talks about marriage, raising a family and voluntary work for the Play Centre Association. Recalls her return to the paid work force as Occupational Therapist at CCS in 1972 where her job was organising activities for the clients. Describes becoming Director of the Adult Centre, developing a client centred programme amd providing opportunities for clients to increase their independence. Mentions that the prevailing protective attitude to clients was a barrier. Comments on the inappropriateness of the `Crippled children' name when most of the clients were adults. Describes supporting higher education, recreation camps and increased living skills. Mentions volunteers, the work of Elizabeth Hamilton and Vera Hayward and the impact of 1981 as the International Year of Disabled People. Comments that most of the CCS Executive were male Rotarians not informed about current practice. Discusses her involvement in other groups, such as the Independent Living Group, designed to further opportunities of people with disabilities. Describes training as a social worker, becoming the CCS social worker and then Client Services Manager. Comments on communication problems within CCS, growing financial difficulties and personnel problems. Discusses a management review, being appointed interim General Manager and her decision to retire from CCS. Comments on the increased vibrancy and focus in the organisation since 1972. Interviewer(s) - Helen Frizzell Accompanying material - Copies of photos of CCS gatherings with Lorraine Palmer involved; copies of newspaper cuttings of CCS events with Lorraine Palmer involved; paper by Lorraine Palmer `The Crippled children society - is it meeting the needs of the disabled?' Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2577.

Date: 1953

From: Tourist and Publicity

Reference: 1/2-033641-F

Description: A32250 Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: [ca 1940s-1990s]

From: New Zealand Association of Occupational Therapists :Photographs

Reference: PAColl-9447

Description: Quantity: 18 colour original photographic print(s). 30 b&w original photographic print(s). 18 digital print(s).

Date: 1938

From: Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs

Reference: WA-55915-G

Description: Auckland, including Auckland Mental Hospital and Great North Road. Looks from Point Chevalier to Mount Albert. Aerial photograph taken by Whites Aviation. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Glass negative, 4.75 x 6.5 inches

Date: 2 Apr 1957

From: Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs

Reference: WA-43763

Description: Aerial photograph taken by Whites Aviation. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Photographic negative

Date: 19 Mar 1963

From: Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs

Reference: WA-59594-G

Description: Aerial photograph showing a north-east view of Auckland city with Devonport, and Rangitoto Island in Hauraki Gulf in the distance. Shows Auckland Mental Hospital at Point Chevalier (lower centre of frame), Western Springs and Chamberlain Park golf course (centre of frame), Westmere, and Surrey Crescent in Grey Lynn (above centre in the frame). Taken by Whites Aviation in 1963. Source of descriptive information - location identified by Library client Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Glass negative, 4.75 x 6.5 inches

Date: 28 Jun 1949

From: Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs

Reference: WA-20751-F

Description: Aerial photograph taken by Whites Aviation. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative, 1/2 plate

Date: [190-?]

From: Creator of Collection Unknown : Series of captioned photographs

Reference: 1/2-002564-F

Description: Avondale Asylum, Auckland, and grounds, photographed circa 190-? by an unidentified photographer. Source of descriptive information - Notes on file print. Date estimated by cataloguer. Quantity: 1 b&w copy negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

Date: 28 Jun 1949

From: Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs

Reference: WA-20753-F

Description: Aerial photograph taken by Whites Aviation. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative, 1/2 plate

Date: 24 Jul 1961

From: Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs

Reference: WA-55569-F

Description: Aerial photograph showing Auckland Mental Hospital at Point Chevalier (bottom of frame), Carrington Road (running left to right at bottom of frame), and Sutherland Road and Parrs Road (bottom right). The view looks over Point Chevalier houses (right) and Waterview (left) over the start of the North-Western Motorway during its period of construction. Rosebank, West Auckland, is visible at top of frame. Taken by Whites Aviation in 1961. Source of descriptive information - location identified by Library client Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative, 1/2 plate