Viti's Book Launch 15th August 2021

 On 15th August 2021, and proceed with my Book Launch at Perth, Boola Bardip Museum was joyful. No other word for it! Waiting during Uncertain times with COVID to whether we would go into lockdown and not be able to have this celebration hung like a heavy cloud.

Therefore, sincerely grateful was how we felt on the day, and aware much of the Eastern Seaboard of Australia were in lockdown conditions.

The Perth Museum is a venue well worth considering for your next event. We utilised the Woodside Education Hub, but there are numerous options throughout this magnificent building. The Importance of Indigenous Stories promoted is so poignant to the content in my third book, which captures historical insights through storytelling and tales.

Title: Hikoi of Discovery, Fathers Maternal Ascendants Emerge: Leaf, Maning (Manene), Diamond (Taimona). Hokianga, the 1800s-1920s and the King Country, 1930s-1950s is now available.

Two avenues for purchasing are:

(1)   Viti's website: www.bearfruit.com.au

Book 3 Description: https://www.bearfruit.com.au/view/the-books/book-3-description

Book Order Form: https://www.bearfruit.com.au/view/the-books/form

(2)   Email Viti direct at viti@bearfruit.com.au. 

Photos were taken at the Launch:

I intentionally wrote this book with a broader readership in mind. However, my first endeavours in writing within a historical/biographical context from a descendant's perspective feedback from the readership are encouraging.

Feedback: Teresa Dean Parkes, Perth WA (Family connections to the content of this book)

"I'm thoroughly enjoying reading Viti Simmons' book - "Hikoi of Discovery". It is an absorbing experience delving into the history of the Diamond side of the family. There has been so much hard work, and passion poured into this book. It was a wonderful experience and privilege to attend your book launch and meet so many interesting people who were all somehow involved in the writing of your book. Well, done, Viti xx". (18^th August 2021)

The importance of Social Media platforms has been the catalyst for reconnecting Whanau members unknown and living in Perth. Including those, I have not been in touch with since my formative years.   

The communities associated with this book are Pakanae, Whirinaki, Kohukohu, Mangamuka in Hokianga Northland and Taumarunui and Manunui in the King Country, New Zealand.

Until we chat again, take care.

Viti Simmons  

The learnings from...

Hikoi of Discovery

Father's Maternal Ascendants Emerge

Hokianga 1800s - 1930s and his relocation to the King Country 1930s-1950s

Leaf, Maning (Manene) Diamond (Taimona)

Author 

Viti Kay Simmons (nee Diamond) 

There have been many while writing over the last three years (p/t). Just the other day, a light bulb moment. I found myself vocalising a musing while standing at the kitchen bench. 

Father's Maternal Ascendants have reconnected their descendants.

I have met new members of our extended Whanau (family) from across Australia and New Zealand over the last six months and recently with my promotion of, Hikoi of Discovery. My messaging app has been a  'busy bee', as has my Facebook page messaging. 

New friendships have emerged, and those close at hand I have arranged to have a coffee with. Reconnections to my first cousins next generation. Keen to learn about the contents of my book. A few attending my Book Launch at the WA Museum Boola Bar dip in Perth. Something I had not anticipated.

Technology has been at the heart of this reconnection with the broader Whanau who live in Diaspora communities, generally speaking. This means,

"Any community of people from the same country or region living in another country (or countries). They are considered a community if they consciously collaborate based on their belongings to the same country or region of origin. Collaborations could be through meetings And social events that are or are not linked to life in the country of origin." Sourced 26/06/2021 online

The research process for the Whakapapa (Family Tree) included many hours of what I have referred to as working with a rubric cube and the importance of working with colours. Otherwise, it was not difficult to be overwhelmed by names, places, and sorting through information provided online, which often has contradictory information. Worth the toil of arriving at an understanding of one's interpretation of data in all its forms. 

Take care in the interim.

Viti Simmons

Founder of

From 2008.

A Pikoura Maori Carving Design

Apologies if you have already received this one...                                                                         

Bev Ryan Publishing recommended the above-carved symbol so symbolic as part of my forthcoming book design @  https://www.facebook.com/BevRyanPublishing.

“The Pikoura represents an eternal bond between people and cultures. ... This carved symbol is often gifted to close friends, family, or new cultures to signify a binding between two entities. It is the perfect gift for friendship, love and family to signify eternity and togetherness.” (Source unknown)

 It is a gift that our five grandchildren have or will receive when they turn 10 years old. Their paternal Grandfather Paul Simmons has re-introduced this symbol design for one of his granddaughters when she turns 10 years of age. Each grandchild is gifted with a symbol with consideration.

We are now in the design and layout phase of Book 3 and moving forward to my Perth Book launch date has been set for the 15^{th of} August 2021 at the Perth Museum. RSVP 26^th July 2021 viti@bearfruit.com.au

The ‘learnings’ have been numerous while researching and writing this book. Just how crucial social media platforms have been and realising that they are a preference for the majority I have communicated with. Communication through emails is not as productive so I needed to adjust my strategy to one of messaging through Facebook. This has proven to be highly beneficial.

Another useful approach when self-publishing has been to have a Book Launch date in collaboration with your publisher. This approach has worked for me as it keeps one’s, ‘foot on the pedal’ to ensure I reached my desired timeframe.  

I am in the process of populating new content for my Bear Fruit website (offline) in the next couple of months with new services. It is exciting to be back under my business umbrella and an opportunity to make resources available. I will keep you updated on when that will be. 

Viti Simmons

Founder of Bear Fruit 2008.

It has been SOME TIME since I last posted.

Picking up where I left on in 2018. At that time I was working on my manuscript part-time in between undertaking an Australian International Volunteer Assignment in Fiji and on my return to Perth took on a role with a local Community Centre in Perth.

End of 2020 I left that role so I could spend the time on completing my third manuscript (1st solo piece of writing).

Book Title

Hikoi of Discovery

Father's Maori Maternal Ascendants Emerge

1800s-1950s

Hokianga to the King Country 

Vignette: 

In acknowledgement of my Father, 'Ropata' Robert Tohu Diamond alias Taimona (1916-2003).

His memoirs and tales were taped as I am driving towards the Hokianga in 2001. His recourse about his mother, Keita, and contributions on behalf of his 13 siblings would have been lost, had we not?

His formative years captured is: full of wit, humour, raw and challenging. Much of which was new to me.

In late 2018, I returned to the Hokianga for further research and engagement with Whanau (family) connections. Essential in enriching the family history and filling in the gaps.

Ascendants discovered

Discovering the names of Father's maternal ascendants: Mereana Leaf, Moengaroa Maning, and Erana Kohe Leaf, was overwhelming.

Nonetheless, they have been in my presence, since. Joyful. Father's mother, Keita Diamond, my grandmother (Kui). I knew her name, but little else. 

The responsibility of co-authoring on behalf of these ascendants has not been lost on me. At times, our Whakapapa (Family Tree) felt like a rubric cube. 

Fathers four maternal ascendants were in interracial unions/marriages with settler men.

The above photo was taken after attending Sunday Service in Whirinaki in 2018. This was the community that Father’s ascendants had lived.

Photo: Phoebe Watkins (middle) was my guide and Dorrie Hemara on the left with myself on the right before we visited the local Urupa's (Cemeteries). 

 

Historical works provide context for the 1800s and early 1900s

Angela Wanhalla (2013), Matters of the Heart, A History of Interracial Marriage in New Zealand, informs that, "...Maori women’s voices are not easy to find in colonial records. Largely written by white men and officials, these documents offer an uneven picture of marriage practices.…”

My focus on bringing women's voices to light, across cultures, would not surprise many of you. I have been travelling this road since 1993-2021 locally, nationally and internationally, all self-funded.

At times my courage would waver while writing. Fortunately, Alexa Whaley a Volunteer at the Hokianga Historical Society in Omapere would put the wind back in my sails.

Her last piece of advice, "...to be opening up the hitherto unknown territory about Keita and her life – that’s so important in itself.'

Rivers & Native Timber Trade

Both the Hokianga and King Country were associated with timber industries and rivers. With migration comes the establishment of families and communities.

Father and Ian Goodman's journey to establishing their families in the Timber town of Manunui from 1915 to the 1950s. They first met when playing for the Manunui Rugby Club in late 1930s to early 1940s.

This photo of the Whanganui River was taken in 2015 when I revisited my childhood swimming spot. These steps were there in the 1950s. It was a period and an environment that was influential in shaping my curiosity.

The final section in the book is the relationship between a Father and his daughter and her awakening to the importance of gender equity.

PLEASE NOTE: if you are interested in obtaining a copy of my book the best option at this stage is through my direct email: viti@bearfruit.com.au in readiness for my print run approximately June/July 2021.

My intent is to return to posting more frequently. 

 Take care in the interim.

Viti Kay