This interview was commissioned by Women's Division of Federated Farmers for a project entitled Pioneer Women. Violet Elizabeth Peggy Soderstrom was born Torquay, England. In this interview Peggy gives her family background - father a teacher at Torquay School of Art. She describes her education at a Convent School run by French Nuns, her first employment and her enlistment as a WREN in 1916 at Torquay. She gives her reasons for coming to New Zealand and mentions the Victorious Scheme for the Settlement Overseas of British women organised by Mrs Tripp of Geraldine. Peggy recalls working for Crown Prosecutor, Mr Wright, in Christchurch, before meeting her first husband, Thomas McLean. She describes her arrival at Progress Valley; poor communications and use of the buggy. She talks about the Improved Farm Settlement Scheme in detail (Community Settlers); details of stress and cracking up of some of the settlers. Peggy recalls rare visits to Invercargill and Tokanui for groceries and importance of horse transport. She describes settlement of displaced persons at Progress Valley Mill circa 1943. She goes on to give a detailed account of farm work and farm life including the clearing of bush; running of Hereford cattle and Border Leicester sheep in the bush; tailing, washing and sowing grass. She concludes the interview with opinions on religion and her travel plans.