Episode Playlist
Manawatu Conversations Episode 332 - Marise Clark pt2( 0:26:15)
Episode Information
Attended Newbury school which had a roll of about 50 children. Loved reading. Enjoyed having access to books and was encouraged by her teacher. Learned to write on a chalk board before she wrote on paper. Covered exercise books with wallpaper. Moved from Newbury school to Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School. First teacher there was Tom Kelliher. Caught a Rutherfords bus to school. Talks about department stores in Palmerston North in the 1960s. She visited PNINS recently and found it very similar to when she was there. Talks about different teachers she had at school. Developed an interest in Te Reo Māori. Went to Freyberg High School with a roll of over 1500. Couldn’t take Te Reo Māori there. Her parents wanted her in the domestic stream but she preferred, and went into the professional stream.
Published: 1/10/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Manawatu Conversations Episode 332 - Marise Clark pt1( 0:27:32)
Episode Information
An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.
Marise was born in Palmerston North and lived on rural properties in Manawatu near Alison Mildon’s family
Marise’s father was a farm worker not a farm owner and, at one stage, worked for Alison’s father.
She caught Weld Motors buses to school. If she missed the bus father would take her in the car.
Good community spirit. Help each other.
First vehicle an Austin A40 van. Only father drove.
Grandmother had an Austin A30 until she died. Grandfather didn’t drive because of a head injury.
Alison’s sister and brother-in-law had a feijoa farm.
Marise developed a liking for the violin.
Published: 24/09/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Manawatu Conversations Episode 330 - Group Discussion - Mike Lawrence, Anne Weir, Alison Mildon, Stuart Birks( 0:27:55)
Episode Information
Group discussion, first child
Mike Lawrence, first child born in 1965 when husbands weren’t allowed in the delivery suite. Had to wait in waiting room for eight hours. He had to work full time but enjoyed feeding the baby and doing what he could.
Bottles sterilized in Milton Solution. Solid food was Farex.
Washable nappies not easy to dry in a Taumarunui winter. Wringer washing machine and a drying cabinet.
Anne Weir’s first child 1975. A big boy. Everything went well.
Husband not present but would have been allowed in the room.
Baby suffered from cholic but otherwise well behaved.
Alison Mildon didn’t have the experience of a baby of her own but did observe other people’s babies and the different way babies were cared for over the years.
Stuart Birks first child was born in 1981. Stuart was well involved in the birth process. The mother was Asian and there were some cultural differences.
General discussion about nappies, cradles and other equipment.
Prams have changed over the years and now parents go jogging with a baby in a pram.
Not the same concern about sun protection as there is now.
Published: 10/09/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Manawatu Conversations Episode 329 - Alison Mildon 5 of 5( 0:27:36)
Episode Information
On returning from overseas was probably suffering chronic depression and lost all her confidence.
Worked in library at Victoria University, Wellington.
Struck up a friendship with a person who became her sister-in-law.
Returned to London and met her husband-to-be.
Both returned to New Zealand.
Got a job at Massey and was there for 17 years.
Took voluntary redundancy. Took course in IT at Polytech.
Husband has a stroke and dies.
Was involved in protesting against removal of Fitzherbert Avenue trees and construction of Turitea windfarm.
Worked at Somerset retirement village
Published: 3/09/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Manawatu Conversations Episode 328 - Alison Mildon 4 of 5( 0:27:8)
Episode Information
Went to The Gambia by herself.
Very naïve. Couldn’t understand French and had no plans.
A person she met at the airport found accommodation for her.
Travelled to the capital, Banjul. Very primitive. People lived in compounds.
Food at markets very expensive.
Living conditions were very difficult.
Couldn’t get visa extended.
Went to Paris then to London.
After three years returned to New Zealand.
Suffered from chronic depression.
Worked at Victoria University library
Published: 27/08/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Manawatu Conversations Episode 327 - Alison Mildon 3 of 5( 0:26:25)
Episode Information
Went to teachers college enjoyed it but didn’t like going on section.
Chose infants because she lacked the confidence with older children.
Bonded for three years – probationary assistant for one year plus two.
Broke bond and travelled overseas with another person.
Went to Rome and became an au pair.
Travelled to Trieste then returned to Rome as an au pair. Not satisfactory.
Separated from her friend and travelled to Vienna, Germany and London by herself.
In London worked in a hotel at a wide range of jobs.
Travelled to The Gambia by herself.
Published: 20/08/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Manawatu Conversations Episode 326 - Alison Mildon 2 of 5( 0:26:49)
Episode Information
Was a girl guide until high school. Fortunate to have Cecily Snoxell as captain.
Went to Freyberg High School. Obtained drivers license and drove to school.
Started in professional class – languages etc.
Did well with English in third form but hated it in fourth form. Nearly the bottom of the class.
Four different maths teachers.
Did not enjoy secondary school.
Not many friends.
Was accredited University Entrance qualification
In 1966 went on a five-month trip with her mother and grandmother to USA, UK, Ireland, Denmark, Italy then ship to Australia and flew back to New Zealand.
She didn’t know what she wanted to do. Wanted to be a nurse but got no encouragement.
Became a nurse aide at Dannevirke hospital and liked it.
Published: 13/08/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Manawatu Conversations Episode 325 - Alison Mildon 1 of 5( 0:28:7)
Episode Information
Born in Kairanga the youngest of three.
Was fearful of the Korean war in 1950s. Father said if it came to New Zealand they would head for the hills.
Two sets of grandparents living quite close
When she was four years old two Dutch men came into her life
Was deeply affected by watching someone tied to a tree in film Davy Crockett
Was told as a child she had ‘an old head’
Enjoyed farm life but had conflicts with her brother.
Went to a small country school where three classes shared a classroom and a teacher
Strapped for discipline. Fingernails and teeth were inspected.
Didn’t belong to groups with other children. Didn’t like cliques.
For a long time it was difficult for her to believe people liked her.
Learning was not hard.
Very few toys as a child. Liked dolls.
Published: 6/08/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Manawatu Conversations Episode 324 - Sue Stirling 3 of 3( 0:26:13)
Episode Information
Sue Sterling, Part 3 of 3. Has written a book Manawatu Striders, Runners and Walkers : The First Four Decades available from Palmerston North City Library.
Had finished interviews for the book before Covid struck.
Travelled to England with husband in March 2020.
Lived in Reading.
Covid shutdowns in UK affected their plans so they returned to NZ early.
New Zealand in lockdown but they were able to return because they had NZ passports.
Their house was still rented out so rented accommodation in Auckland,
Had to self isolate.
Eventually returned to their home in Palmerston North
Kept in touch with family and U3A with video communication.
Returned to Britain in April 2022 after Covid restrictions had eased.
Published: 30/07/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Manawatu Conversations Episode 323 - Sue Stirling 2 of 3( 0:27:58)
Episode Information
Sue has been a member of Manawatu Striders since 2006.
She has written a book Manawatu Striders, Runners and Walkers : The First Four Decades available from Palmerston North City Library.
Striders is for adults.
Motto ‘complete not compete’
Meet on Sunday mornings and form groups of five or six people. Two hours.
Started as a running club but now includes walkers.
No dogs!
Runs events in January and February for the public.
Parkrun is a similar organization but not associated with Striders. Time is recorded and entered on their website www.parkrun.co.nz and can be compared with other contestants.
Challenges in Striders created by Covid.
Changes to routes caused by increased traffic on roads. More use of walkways.
Runners sometimes use the Manawatu Gorge track.
Striders have a uniform.
Local membership was 300 but has dropped to about 150.
Published: 23/07/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Manawatu Conversations Episode 322 - Sue Stirling 1 of 3( 0:27:50)
Episode Information
Sue Stirling, Part 1 of 3. Taught social studies, geography and history at Awatapu College.
Was also a teacher librarian.
Discovered boxes of school archives which included sports results, photos, newsletters and school magazines.
After retiring Sue wrote the school history 1976 – 2015.
It is a PDF file available from manawatuheritage.pncc.govt.nz
School’s philosophy was to expand a child’s learning to the best of their ability.
Originally a flat system – no tall poppies. Certificates were presented for participation in activities. No streaming.
The school had several deans and a guidance counsellor.
Later a dux system was introduced.
Awapuni special needs school was integrated with Awatapu College in mid 1990s.
There was strong approval from parents for a school uniform.
Awatapu College had its own board. Most other schools were controlled by the Department of Education.
Published: 16/07/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Episode 320 - Vicki-Marie Buchanan Part 4 of 4( 0:23:32)
Episode Information
As a drama teacher at St Marks school she used the Trinity College syllabus as a framework for the year.
Term one and two were spent learning fundamental skills culminating in a performance in term three.
Persuaded by a Trinity College examiner to do FTCL (Fellowship of Trinity College London) which included writing a thesis.
Invited to become an examiner with Trinity College
Took leave from school to travel to London for assessment.
Travelled for five weeks at a time to examine in other countries – India, China, USA, Canada, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia.
Working with Trinity College was a most humbling, enriching, inspirational experience.
Settled in Palmerston North in 2013 and remarried.
A visit to Pike River memorial resulted in her writing a play for the school to perform.
Published: 2/07/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Manawatu Conversations Episode 319 - Vicki-Marie Buchanan Part 3 of 4( 0:28:2)
Episode Information
After maternity leave she returned to work at Air NZ.
Left Air NZ and worked from home typing for Wellington Regional Council.
Still heavily involved with drama activities and acted in performances with Wellington Operatic Society - The Great Waltz, King and I, Fiddler on the Roof, Gilbert and Sullivan.
Fiddler on the Roof taught her about the Jewish faith.
Taught speech and drama privately.
Studied singing.
Performed in operas – La Traviata, Die Fledermaus, Merry Widow.
Did some TV advertising work.
Worked for Physical Education New Zealand (PENZ)
Taught drama in a private primary school with a limited authority to teach.
Teaching drama highlighted social issues with children.
Huge changes with introduction of the New Zealand Arts Curriculum.
Went to a Trinity College presentation. A new syllabus in a classroom environment was developed.
Secondary schools had good resources but primary schools were the poor relation especially with drama and dance.
Trinity College examiners starting to examine school group dramas.
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.
Published: 25/06/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Episode 318 - Vicki-Marie Buchanan Part 2 of 4( 0:28:2)
Episode Information
Left Department of Internal Affairs after six months and joined NAC (National Airways Corporation) administration about 1975. Worked there 13 years.
Reservations and ticketing was a very manual job pre-computers
NAC merged with Air NZ and she got a job as secretary to the supply manager involved with buying and selling aircraft.
Married 1976.
Transferred to Wellington airport as secretary to the district senior pilot and worked with aircrew.
Erebus disaster had a big effect on staff.
Reads Bill Sewell poem ‘Sestina on History and the Snow’
Took maternity leave in 1982.
Husband was made redundant and became a house husband.
Vicki-Marie wanted to go back to work after three months but her job had been given to someone else.
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.
Published: 18/06/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Episode 317 - Vicki-Marie Buchanan Part 1 of 4( 0:27:36)
Episode Information
Born in Hamilton and lived in Claudelands until about eight years old.
Developed an interest in drama.
Father was in the Anglican ministry and family shifted to Auckland.
Faith is an important part of her life.
As a baby Vicki was not expected to live so was christened as Vicki-Marie.
Started formal speech and drama lessons in Auckland.
A good rounded childhood.
Took part in a children’s theatre.
Moved to Te Aroha and Matamata, back to Hamilton then to Lower Hutt.
Went to Hutt Valley High School and continued drama with different teachers.
Hutt Valley High School uniform more casual that Hamilton Girls High.
Learned shorthand typing and book keeping. She was more practical than academic.
Sat Trinity College exams. Involved with repertory productions.
Joined Department of Internal Affairs in Bowen State Building, Wellington, as a shorthand typist.
Very much like Roger Hall’s “Gliding On”. Men wore shorts and walk socks.
Partner, Ross, worked in the same area for NZ Forest Service
Went to night school at Polytech for Pitmans and trade certification exams.
In her family, as a child, education and qualifications were important.
Published: 11/06/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Episode 316 - Tania Kopytko Part 2( 0:30:22)
Episode Information
An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.
Published: 4/06/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Episode 315 - Tania Kopytko Part 1( 0:27:50)
Episode Information
Tania is involved with a project called “Untold Stories – World War II Displaced Persons Who Settled in Palmerston North”
It is focused on national and local history that is untold.
An estimated 5000 displaced people came to New Zealand between 1949 and 1952 from Central, Eastern and Southern Europe. Many from displaced persons camps from the ravages of WWII and civil war.
The project covers people who came from Belarus, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Lithuania and Latvia.
She tells the story of her father who spent time in a Russian Gulag, was captured by Germans and put in POW camps and eventually became a displaced person in the UK.
Many who came to New Zealand went to a camp for displaced people at Pahiatua where they learned the English language and New Zealand culture then placed in jobs.
They filled New Zealand’s need for skilled labour.
Research for the project is difficult because many records are restricted until 2065.
Polish people though have preserved their own history.
Published: 28/05/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Episode 314 - Hospice Part 2( 0:31:58)
Episode Information
Hospice, Part 2 of 2. It is sometimes difficult getting family together when they may be in other parts of the world.
It is important to have an advanced care plan to state what you want happened if you can’t speak for yourself.
Find out from the patient who is important to them.
Difficult for people who have married several times.
Hospice users cover different cultures and staff are aware of their different needs.
A biography service records and publishes persons biography with photos which can be kept by the family.
Government provides 53% of operational costs. It used to be 73%.
Partnerships and work in the community is where the growth is going to be.
There is an increasing number of older people.
There is a shortage of medical specialists and palliative care nurses. A need to share services regionally.
Hospices are independent but Hospice New Zealand provides advocacy and support.
Since its inception nobody has had to pay for care.
Community fundraising is very important and very successful.
Smoking. Equity and community funding.
Published: 21/05/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Episode 313 - Hospice Part 1( 0:28:27)
Episode Information
An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.
A movement was started in mid 1980s to establish a hospice in Palmerston North.
Mary McKenna and Dr Garth Wallace were involved from the start and fund raising started.
Palmerston North Hospital not keen to have a hospice but the public were.
Opened in 1991 with eight beds
Purpose - to provide holistic care in the last period of life, to support patients and family.
Acquired and developed the medical superintendent’s house on hospital property at 1 Heretaunga Street, Palmerston North.
Friends of Hospice donate $20,000 every year.
Over 120 staff – mostly part time paid staff and volunteers including community nurses, inpatient nurses, occupational therapists and a chaplin.
A large family support team. They also help with PoA and wills.
Support carers at home and the surviving partner.
Palliative care training is provided for carers, nurse practitioners and other staff.
They keep in touch with GPs
Most people are cared for in their homes – that’s where they want to be.
Patients from Peka Peka in the south to Waiouru in the north and Whanganui to Tararua. Only 27% ever have an inpatient stay and mostly for only a short time.
Care and advice available 24/7
Once cancer was predominant but now 30% of patients have a different life limiting illness e.g. bad heart, kidney failure, motor neurone disease etc
Published: 14/05/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Episode 312 - Mike Lawrence( 0:28:2)
Episode Information
Late 1880s travel between Wellington and Auckland was train to New Plymouth, ship to Onehunga and local train to Auckland.
First through train using the main trunk line was 1909.
Two trains each way each night – Limited and Express
Mail van on the express transported and sorted mail for stations en route.
Trains had first class and second class carriages and a sleeping car.
Could hire pillows.
Disabled people not catered for.
Frequent stops for refreshments and fuelling steam locomotives.
Limited express train replaced by Silver Star overnight train using diesel locomotives in 1971.
Single and double cabins. Seats converted to beds. Built-in toilet units.
Every carriage had an attendant who would look after passenger needs and serve breakfast on a tray.
Trains had a dining car for evening meals and beverages.
Air travel became more popular during 1970s. Silver Star patronage declined and Silver Star stopped in 1979.
Plans to convert Silver Star to a ‘seats only’ daytime train didn’t work so some carriages were sold to Malaysia.
An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.
Published: 7/05/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Manawatu Conversations 30-04-2024 - Episode 311 - Guy Donaldson Part 5 of 5( 0:28:2)
Episode Information
College of Education merged into Massey University.
He was not satisfied with the changes. Less emphasis on music.
Didn’t like institutional life any more so asked to take leave for a year and eventually took voluntary redundancy.
Became a piano and vocal teacher working from home.
His wife, Judith, did doctorate on the pressures on music teachers in secondary schools.
He increased his involvement with community music in Palmerston North.
Worked with Anna Leese and Dame Malvina Major
Because of ageing population, there was a change to afternoon or house concerts.
Reduced audiences restricted Regent Theatre to downstairs only.
Ballet can attract larger audiences because it is more visual.
What is now concert music was initially music found in churches or amongst the wealthy royalty of Europe.
Brass band music and aspects of choral music were related to the working class.
Chamber music is considered elitist.
Some children these days have a very short attention span but there are exceptions.
He has the luxury of being able to work with young people to support their personal growth and musical growth.
Has a five year old student who is the very best of his piano students.
To succeed, a musician needs personal characteristics such as stamina, self-discipline and resilience.
Music therapy is important for older people. “Music goes deeper into the soul than does speech”
Published: 30/04/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Manawatu Conversations 16-04-2024 - Episode 309 - Guy Donaldson Part 3 of 5( 0:27:11)
Episode Information
Was the founding head of music at Awatapu College. Employed in second year of college existence. College’s culture was equality for all. Non streaming. Became Assistant Dean.
Left school teaching to focus on piano playing and teaching. Set up his own piano teaching practice mainly after school and Saturday mornings.
Marriage collapsed.
Abandoned private teaching and became an English teacher at Palmerston North Girls High School.
Shifted to Auckland and started a piano teaching practice in Remuera and part time music teacher at Sacred Heart College.
Was appointed the vocal trainer for Leonard Bernstein production called Mass and played in the orchestra with the Auckland Symphonia.
Returned to Palmerston North and took a position at the teachers college.
Music scene in Auckland too big. He was a small cog in a big wheel.
Family life suffered because of ambition to succeed in work. Marriage broke up.
After an overseas trip came back to Palmerston North Teachers College and worked with Graham Parsons, Morva Croxson, Fleur Stark, Robert Hoskins and Jenny Boyack.
Money was available for a very liberal education.
University and college training did not prepare upcoming teachers adequately for real life classroom teaching.
Published: 16/04/2024 3:00:00 p.m.
Manawatu Conversations 09-04-2024 - Episode 308 - Guy Donaldson Part 2 of 5( 0:28:1)
Episode Information
While at Canterbury University it was suggested he take up secondary school teaching.
Decided to be a teacher of English and French but was persuaded to drop French and take music.
Started teaching at Rongotai College in Wellington where he was eventually in charge of music. Teaching boys songs often descended into chaos.
Met his first wife who was also on the staff of Rongotai College.
Was in charge of the Bach Choir in Wellington for one year before Roy Tankersley took over as music director.
Decided to resuscitate his piano playing so had sessions with Maurice Collier who he had previously met at Whanganui Collegiate. Maurice lived near Taihape.
Moved to Palmerston North to Freyberg High School. Became involved in the Operatic Society then took up a position with the Palmerston North Choral Society.
Also taught at Awatapu College.
Wanted more time to focus on piano so resigned from Awatapu College and became a private piano teacher in the 1980s,
His wife was a teacher at Linton prison.
Published: 9/04/2024 3:00:00 p.m.