Ellen, Vera, 1926-

Date: 1942 - 1943

From: [Theatre ephemera and programmes for music-hall, comedy and variety productions in New Zealand, in 1942].

By: Kiwi Concert Party (1939-1945); Sinclair, Robert, active 1940s; Ellen, Vera, 1926-

Reference: Eph-A-VARIETY-1942-01

Description: Programme for a series of concerts by the Kiwi Concert Party in Egypt, Crete, Western Desert, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine (according to a handwritten note on the front cover, signed by Bob). The front cover design is signed by Sinclair (perhaps Bob Sinclair, carpenter with the show), and shows the Egyptian pyramids and Sphinx, with the words "Kiwi Revue" emblazoned in the sky. The inside lists the items performed, by cast members including Wally Prictor, Tim Bonner, Terry Vaughan, George Stevens, Taffy Owen, Jim Millins, Morrie Double, William (Bill) Nichol, J Fraser, Ivan Hanna, Fred McCallum, Cyril Pasco, Frank Hoy, Harvey Strang, Max Roland, Hughie Bolton, Dave Stafford, Gus Large, Bill Sharley, Lin Brown, John Reidy, Hec Bell, Pat Parnell. The manager was Tom Kirk-Burnnand. Inscriptions: Recto - (Front cover): Just a little souvenir of "our show" as presented to troops in Egypt, Crete, Western Desert, Syria, Lebanon & Palestine. With best wishes from Bob. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Booklet of eight pages, each 155 x 230 mm. Provenance: Donated by Ms Vera Ellen in 2002.

Date: 1959

From: [Ephemera concerning shipping, ships, voyages to or from New Zealand, including tickets, menus, luggage stickers. 1957-1959]

By: New Zealand Shipping Company Ltd.; Qantas Airways Ltd; Wagstaff, H, active 1950s?; Stewart, Kay, active 1950s?; Pike, Joseph, active 1930s; Ellen, Vera, 1926-

Reference: Eph-A-SHIP-1959-01

Description: Includes menus issued during a voyage on the New Zealand Shipping Company vessel, R.M.S. "Rangitoto", to England, 31 July to 29 August 1959, Captain L W Fulcher. The menus have covers featuring different British scenes and buildings, and a series of birds illustrated by H Wagstaff (woodpecker, bellbird, huia, tui, kea, mallard, jay, British robin). The historic buildings featured on the menu covers include a series by Kay Stewart: Lichfield Cathedral, Ely Cathedral, Wells Cathedral, Salisbury Cathedral, St Paul's Cathedral, Peterborough Cathedral, St Albans Cathedral, Norwich Cathedral. Another series of London buildings is by Joseph Pike, and features: Big Ben, St Bartholomew's Gateway Smithfield, Staple Inn Holborn, The Clock Tower Hampton Court Palace, Church Street Windsor, St James Palace, St Bride's from Bride Lane, Middle Temple Lane. Quantity: 21 menus. Physical Description: Photolithographs on folded cards, 216 x 140 mm. Provenance: Donated by Ms Vera Ellen in 2003. Transfers: A Qantas menu which arived in the same donation, is housed at Eph-A-AVIATION-Qantas..

Date: 1 June 1994 - 01 Jun 1994

From: National Council of Women: Narratives from a century - oral history project

By: Ellen, Vera, 1926-

Reference: OHInt-0387/10

Description: Vera Ellen born in Te Puni Street Nursing Home which was run by Nurse Welsh. Gives details of family background - mother came to New Zealand on a scheme for young women to go to the colonies. Gives an account of her voyage to ca 1922-1923 and going into service for doctor in Christchurch. Father born in Methven and after World War I worked as a photographer. Recalls life in Petone during Depression. Parents sponsored several families to New Zealand. Gives details of father's death in his early forties and describes how mother coped. Reference to Thelma Douglas, Salvation Army. Mentions Rudolph McLay who initiated tradition of music at Petone Technical College. Describes school in Jackson Street - was earlier located at Prices Folly - reference to Maynard, the infant school teacher. Recalls Alex McFarlane, a teacher, who later became Mayor. Describes how Miss Fleet, another teacher, became Mayoress. Talks about teaching methods of that period. Trained as a nurse at Wellington Hospital (class of 1948) and gives details of training. Reference to Roland (Roly) O'Regan, senior surgeon in ward 28. Describes change of direction - gives details of Kenny Institute for Poliomyelitis. Completed Fulham course in poliomyelitis then a course in tropical diseases at St Pancras before returning to Wellington Hospital to teach obstetrics. Outlines involvement with National Council of Women - took over from Margaret Barrance as President of Hutt Branch and continued in Executive until 1993. Other topics covered include: involvement on Parliamentary Watch Committee (1990); involvement with Soroptimists, becoming President; Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps as territorial and at time of retirement as Principal Matron of 2nd Field Hospital. Elaborates on invitation to become Honorary Nursing sister to Governor General Sir Arthur Porritt. Recalls how NCW brought awareness of women's rights. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Petone Interviewer(s) - Mary Tallon Venue - Petone Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-006310-006312 Quantity: 3 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 4.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB-1446. One photocopy of a b&w photograph of Vera Ellen taken outside Hutt Hospital and one coloured photograph of 4 women sitting at a table - note on back reads: Vera Ellen May 1994 at NCW HQ, second from left and underneath, Ann Holden, Vera Ellen, Dame Stella Casey, Grace Dawson.

Date: 23 Jun 1998

From: Lower Hutt Women's Centre oral history project

By: Ellen, Vera, 1926-

Reference: OHInt-0560/4

Description: In this interview Vera Ellen discusses involvement with the Women's Centre Lower Hutt through the National Council of Women to which she belonged. Describes what feminism means to her and talks about how important it is for women to have a sense of self worth and independence financially. Describes her role on the Women's Centre Board of Trustees and the way in which the Centre operates. Discusses the consensus model used by the Women's Centre and the way the volunteers work together. Refers to fundraising. Mentions the self-esteem courses. Mentions Marion Redwood from National Council of Women. Comments that through the Women's Centre she has become more aware of the kinds of lives that different women lead and more aware of the difficulties that solo parents have in bringing up children alone. Mentions workshop on Treaty of Waitangi and describes a group at the Women's Centre known as Growing Old Disgracefully. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Mathea Roorda Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-009419 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3052.

Date: 2 October 1993 - 02 Oct 1993

From: NZ Nursing Education and Research Foundation : the transfer of nursing education from hospitals to polytechnics

By: Ellen, Vera, 1926-

Reference: OHInt-0520/05

Description: Vera Ellen born Petone 1926. In this interview she talks about: training; maternity nursing; Poliomyelitis nursing in the USA and poliomyetlytis therapy at Wanganui Hospital; experience in a London hospital for tropical diseases; midwifery and obstetric tutoring; views on change in nursing training and student nurse training; nursing graduates; orientation for Polytech graduates compared with hospital trained staff and refresher course for nurses. Discusses lifetime interest in education; Nursing Diploma at S A N S (School of Advanced Nursing Studies, Wellington) and Diploma in Health Administration. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Mrs Mary Nawalowalo Venue - 7 Riddlers Crescent Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-006522 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1943.