Overview In this interview Esther recalls family history, life and work on the family farm where her father initially milked 30 cows by hand before the purchase of the milking machine in 1927. She goes onto recall her education, games played and family entertainment which included picnics to Waituna Lagoon and Oreti beach being taken on the back of a truck her father had purchased. Esther goes onto to talk of her marriage to Ben, their family life and life on their 210 acre farm. Ben went to war and...

Abstract H0236 ESTHER MARY BRANDInterviewer: Margaret Ann IrvingAbstracter: Judith ChristieInterview: 25 November 2004 TRACK One00:00 Interview identification. Born in 1915. Parents WILLIAM and EMMA BLONDELL, married in the south of England and came out circa 1870 with three children. Lived in a house in Invercargill near the water tower – all bush in those days.01.20 Father’s parents moved to a farm at LORA GORGE, neighbours of...

Overview Margaret talks of early life on the family farm at Five Rivers describing daily life routines of school, working on the farm after school and the need to order groceries from Invercargill. She recalls recreational pursuits e.g. sports, dances and craft work. Margret goes on to tell of her own children and families and their education. She was a member of St John’s Ambulance for almost 50 years, the caretaker of the Lumsden Hall and School for 28 years and involved in fundraising for the...

Overview MARGARET EVELYN THOMPSONInterviewer: Ailsa DawsonAbstracter: Jean Hawkes TRACK 100:00 Interview identification00:27 Born LUMSDEN MATERNITY HOME in 1932. Parents – Farm at FIVE RIVERS – Self one of 10 children01:01 [HOME]: Four roomed house – Father built bigger one01:18 [EDUCATION]: FIVE RIVERS SCHOOL – Primers to Standard 6 First in family to go to high school – SOUTHLAND TECHNICAL COLLEGE...

Overview Nan discusses and describes her family history: her father and grandfather settling in NZ and making a life here; her education first at Spar Bush school then at Southland Girls High. She talks of her memories of the depression and farm conditions at this time. When she left school she qualified as a nurse in 1936. Nan recalls and mentions wartime Invercargill e.g. ration books, petrol rationing, Park Hospital and the purchase of her Vauxhall 12 car for £300.00. Nan worked for ten years at Park...

Abstract CHARLOTTE ANNE LINDSAY (NAN) SMITH Interviewer: Lloyd Esler Abstracter: Jean Hawkes TRACK 100:00 Interviewer identification.01.08 At present address for eight years. Formerly at Home Street.02.23 CHARLOTTE ANNE LINDSAY SMITH – known as 'NAN' Born in 1914 at OPORO.02:47 First World War – faint memory of a male visitor after war....