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24 Apr 2018

Incorrect name

It matters that I acknowledge the error made in my last post's final paragraph in regards to the passing of George O'Brien on Sunday, March 18th, 2018 at his home in Taumarunui, New Zealand.

Paul brought to my attention that I had stated George's wife as Tina instead of Vita.

The final paragraph should have read, "Today when I spoke to his wife Vita...".

News to hand informs that George and Vita had been married for 60 years and a cherished father of Tina, Perry, Patrick and Darnell.

Apologies.
Viti

It seems appropriate for this blog to have an image from our travels in New Zealand

Trust you all enjoy ANZAC Day.

Best Wishes
Viti

17 Apr 2018

Waves of emotions

There have been many!

The last 7 days have been noticeable of such waves. Firstly, a book which is out of print arrived in my mailbox after fossicking by Paul for a second-hand copy.

For the first time, I saw in print Tupuna Wahine (Great Grandmother) Erana Kohe Maning/Leef. Till now I have known very little about her. In fairness, much of my adult life has been spent in Western Australia and the informal conversation that takes place within the extended family, over time, has not happened until father’s recordings in 2001 and while writing this manuscript.
In John Nicholson’s book, he writes, “Hauraki was responsible, no doubt, for many more unseemly sproutings of the Maning family Tree…’ [and] in 1979, Erana Kohe (Ellen or Emily) Leef gave birth to his daughter Keita Maning.” Pg. 160. 

Keita is father’s mother and my Kuia (grandmother).
So special seeing both acknowledged in print which allows me to proceed more confidently. As a researcher, there is a desire to validate in print what we hear anecdotally. Where possible I have endeavoured to do so.
Secondly, I have been in communication with a female relative of my generation in New Zealand since writing this book and noticed in the above John Nicholson book that he acknowledges her as one of those interviewed as giving, ‘generously of her time’ prior to his publication in 2006. Her I am communicating with Kate in 2018. The synergy of it all.   
Finally, my ongoing communication with Alexa Walley, a volunteer researcher for the Hokianga Historical Society has undertaken research on my behalf. One such request was a photo of the Pakanae School, as I wished to include one in my book.  Father provided an anecdote linked to the school during his formative years in his recordings The following provides a vignette of the information provided by Alexa and related to the school photo provided.

-          We have put it in the 1950s before the building was extended in 1958. (Source Alexa Walley, email 16th April 2018).
I am thrilled to have access to this photo.  However, there is a 20-year difference from when the photo was documented to father’s attendance in the 1920’s & 1930’s. Nonetheless, the anecdotal story linked to his schooling years provides an insightful understanding when his mother passed away and the caring of younger siblings at nine.

Waves of emotion have been numerous and varied throughout the last week but it will be a week remembered as a fork in the road of my emerging book.




4 Apr 2018

Letter writing - Australia Post Delivery



Late yesterday afternoon I sat down and wrote a letter to an elderly couple in the King Country, New Zealand.

When I headed out to post this letter this morning, this is what I thought:

  • What a glorious day to be out walking.

  •  The main village shopping precinct is 50 meters from our apartment.
  • When I turned into Rokeby Road in Subiaco I was greeted with the reminder by the trees lining the main street, it was Autumn. Leaves were everywhere!
  • As I walked towards the Post Office I thought how nostalgic is this? I still go to the Post Office, but it was what I had in my hand that generated such a feeling. A typed letter with pictures to an elderly couple who were active in the two communities that we lived during my formative years. In particular, when I was playing Junior tennis, they were playing Seniors with our parents.

Sourced from http://www.shutterstock.com/search/australia+post on 3rd April 2018 

In October 2017 I also wrote a letter to this couple as we were planning a get-together when we visited the King Country, NZ in November 2017. The purpose for doing so was two-fold. Firstly, to connect after many decades and share that I was assisting with a memoir for three sisters in New Zealand. When I viewed their family tree I recognized the familiar surname of O’Brien. 

I decided to write to them to see if they were linked to this family tree as some of the earlier generation worked in the milling industry and lived in the area. Secondly, to check if they were available to join us and others for lunch while we were in town.

This provided an opportunity to, speak personally on the telephone, when we arrived as they are in their late 70’s or early 80’s. The joy that was expressed by them in receiving my letter reinforces that we need to continue to take the time to connect with a more personal approach, when relevant. 

Five months later I find myself writing another letter to this couple. Included in this letter were three photos of my father with team members of the Manunui Rugby Club from 1939 – 1945. This same couple came to mind. In later years this same Mr O'Brien was the President of the Manunui Rugby Club and I was missing some of the names in these group photos. 

The letter I posted off this morning was a request to see if he could fill in the names missing so that when I insert these images into the book, I may be able me to acknowledge all the members of each team. 

Fingers crossed.

Trust you enjoyed your Easter Break.
Viti x