HO239 MARIE OLIVE OSBORNE

Interviewer: Shona Craig

Abstracter: Judith Christie

Interview: 26 November 2015

TRACK One

00:00 Born in 1929 in QUEENSTOWN.

01.40 Moved from Queenstown, where father worked for the RAILWAYS on the EARNSLAW, to LYTTLETON when a child. Then family moved to MCNAB (near GORE) where father worked for railways. Moved from there to AWARUA at around five or six years old, where FATHER was the STATION AGENT. Describes tasks involved.

05.00 Two older SISTERS, and also younger siblings, eight altogether. At Awarua lived in a RAILWAY HOUSE with a coal range with an attached tank. Four large bedrooms. Boys in the family later had a RAILWAY HUT at the back of the house which had bunks.

07.00 Father worked at Awarua sole charge, including during the WAR YEARS – halfway between Invercargill and Bluff, and trains crossed at Awarua. Carried children to school – attended CLIFTON SCHOOL and then GREENHILLS SCHOOL, which self didn’t enjoy. Describes

09.30 Father’s job title to start with was TABLET PORTER, then changed title to STATION AGENT. Owned a black dog which would use a green flag and sat near lever whenever a train came.

10.15 Once three sets of railway lines at AWARUA. Water was carried by rail for the house if rain water ran out. Railway house had a bathroom, which was built on after family arrived. Water in the hot water cylinder would boil, which turned water brown.

12.30 Family knew nothing of town life. Would go into the paddocks and build caves in the sand hills which fortunately didn’t cave in.

13.00 Father took family to see the AURORA LIGHTS – self thought the war was coming.

14.45 TRAINS every hour travelled through Awarua Station.

End of Track One

TRACK TWO

00.12 Describes daily train movements. Self sometimes got sent home on 11.00 am train because suffered from migraines.

00.30 Railway station at Awarua four or five miles from the radio station.

01.30 GERMAN COTTAGES at Awarua built by the Germans [?]. Had slate roofs. ARNOLD GRAYMAN in charge of the RECEIVING OFFICE and lived with his wife in the manager’s house, which was situated before you got to the German cottages. Had a son called GRAHAM.

03.00 Self attended SOUTHLAND GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL for two years. Left school at age 16. Was at High School during the war. Did a commercial course. Enjoyed school, but not able to stay after school for sports etc. because had to catch train. Also arrived late at school often. BLUFF PUPILS often called up because of misbehavior. Walked to the school (in Forth Street) and back to the station in crocodile style – around 20 pupils from various schools.

06.10 Once brothers hooked train to Bluff and the train to Winton together so couldn’t travel. Brothers KEITH and GRAHAM went to SOUTHLAND TECHNICAL COLLEGE. Brothers EVAN and COLIN attended SOUTHLAND BOYS HIGH SCHOOL.

07.50 Self left school at 16 before learned much shorthand. Went to work for MR NEIDERER. Friend of parents found another job for self, when self used a DICTAPHONE. Describes

10.00 At school the day the WAR FINISHED. Had to find their own way home – wanted to stay in town as lots of fun.

10.30 Worked for MR NEIDERER, then worked at MCLEAN AND FOUGERE. Attended NIGHT SCHOOL studying shorthand and typing describes including more regarding recording cylinders. Brother Keith brought self’s HUSBAND OSSIE home when self was sixteen or seventeen. Married in 1950 at age 21.

14.30 Had a flat in a two storied house in PRINCES STREET.

End of Track Two

TRACK THREE

00.0 Further description of house in Princes Street. Then built a house in DIPTON STREET.

01.15 Husband had a MOTORBIKE, but transport also provided to the radio station.

01.50 Husband was a technician. Travelled to MILFORD SOUND, TE ANAU, DOG ISLAND, PUYSEGAR POINT. LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS very welcoming, provided blue cod.

02.45 Describes house at Dipton Street. Son MICHAEL born 1952, PAUL Born 1954. Moved to house in Dipton Street in 1950.

05.10 Self was working at the ACCOUNTANCY FIRM after marriage. Sons attended ST GEORGE SCHOOL, then attended KEW SCHOOL after zoning came in. Attended SOUTHLAND BOYS HIGH SCHOOL.

06.10 Ossie worked in EYE STREET which became the main base for AWARUA RADIO TECHNICIANS. Retired from there in 1983. Had signed on with the Post Office at age 16, and retired after 40 years at age 56 – compulsory. Was given clock.

11.00 After retirement, Ossie worked at ALAN ROSS for a year, radio aerials etc. Self was working at the HEALTH BOARD at that time.

11.45 Went on an overseas trip when Ossie retired. Self returned to work afterwards. Travelled to Canada, toured around Italy, France, Sweden, England. Niece lived in England, toured Cornwall with them.

End of Track Three

TRACK FOUR

00.00 Mentions other workers at the radio station.

01.20 Moved to CONWAY STREET in 1970s. MICHAEL at University at the time. PAUL went on an overseas trip, and remained overseas in AUSTRALIA.

04.30 Memories of living at AWARUA were very happy. KEITH and GRAHAM have died. Self loved reading. Went to town on a Saturday to shop. Bread delivered every day to Awarua.

06.15 Father had a great GARDEN. Kids from train would steal the carrots.

06.55 Father came from ARROWTOWN.

07.15 Describes the station at Awarua.

08.20 Children not allowed in the paddocks as it was close to the estuary. Father went RABBITING during the war to help feed families. Skins of rabbits also used.

10.40 Very good father – cut children’s hair, mended shoes. Died of cancer in Christchurch after living a good, full life. Mother attended WOMEN’S INSTITUTE after father bought a car.

End of Track Four