Invercargill Archives

Overview In this interview James talks of his family history and the arrival of his father, who was a baker, to New Zealand in 1902. Father and Uncle had a bakery first in Balfour then in Otautau before buying a farm with brother Tom in 1902. James tells of his parents wedding and his father’s involvement in the community. He recalls memories of school days, education at the Southern Technical College and the declaration of World War 2. He goes onto tell of his recreational past times, religion and...

Overview In this interview Sadie describes arriving in NZ, their early days of settling in Dunedin her education and gaining employment at Shacklock. She reflects on World war II, its effects and attitudes. Sadie and her husband settled in Otautau where they raised their family. She describes the daily life of Otautau – shops, garages, banks etc., Sister Edwards at the Maternity home. She was employed at Wallace Council and talks of experience in the 1984 floods