Ohariu Valley Oral History : Tom Horrobin & Heni Gordon
Tom Horrobin and Heni Gordon talk about living and farming in Ohariu Valley. Recorded at the Malvina Major Retirement Home, Johnsonville. Note this is a digitisation of an analogue tape recording with some extraneous noise present.
Interviewer: Ann Reweti (daughter of Heni Gordon)
Recorded: 26th May 2008
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Part 1 (14'45")
| Time marker: | Summary: |
|---|---|
| 00'00" | Tom discusses his mother's family connections to the valley. |
| 01'45" | Tom talks about his father and uncle, who were farmers in the valley. |
| 03'42" | Tom discusses his childhood and school days in the Ohariu Valley. |
| 10'34" | After finishing primary school, Tom begins to work on the family farm. He also describes working for other farmers in the valley by taking their animals to stock sales. |
| 11'38" | Tom describes recreation in the valley. Many men belonged to the Johnsonville Rugby Club, and part of Tom's property has been used as a camping ground by Scouts and Girl Guides. |
| 14'12" | Tom briefly talks about his siblings and life in the valley. |
Part 2 (14'59")
| Time marker: | Summary: |
|---|---|
| 01'19" | Tom and Heni talk about transport difficulties in the area, particularly for women, and the introduction of buses. |
| 07'18" | Tom talks about the Young Farmers Club which existed in the Ohariu area. |
| 8'45" | Discussion of the Women's Division of Federated Farmers, who were also active in the area, and Tom's mother's participation in the community. |
| 10'50" | General discussion on the simplicity and isolation of the community, and how the school played a central role in the community. |