Music and Art - wellbeing for the soul

  Piano - photo courtesy Chris Ball

Last year on ANZAC Day 2020, we were in COVID lockdown. Commemorations were at home. This year it was so good to be able to take part in the 2021 commemorations in our home place. Even more of a special treat, was an evening of music with an accompanying art exhibition, venue  the Tairua Community Hall. Baroque music from Bach to the Beatles and beyond bought to Tairua by haumusiknz  - well known musicians Rita Paczian ( mezzo and harpsichord ) and John Green ( baroque oboe).

The  Art Exhibition was presented by the local Tairua Art Group, demonstrating  the talent there is in this community. Typical of a small rural, coastal community, the evening event was well attended by a full house, with a standing ovation at the end. Certainly a befitting place to have such an evening – The Tairua Community Hall. Music from Bach and Handel filled the hall, paintings in the Art Exhibition could be enjoyed while the music flowed. Thoughts  and energies turned to the events that have been held over the many years.

      hausmusik.nz  capturing the audience of Tairua residents - photo courtesy Chris Ball April 2021
 

Tairua Community Hall

 A typical venue of New Zealand rural communities, “if the walls could talk” would be able to tell many family and community stories of gatherings in this place – concerts, balls, plays , dancing,  music evenings, weddings, 21^st birthdays, farewells to community residents. 

This Tairua community hall opened in November 1932. It would appear that two events were significant for the Tairua people that occurred near to each other timewise. The first was an aeroplane visit to Tairua. Could be said to be a fore runner of aeroplane tourism in the Tairua Valley. The Thames Star wrote: -

“Many local residents, including Mrs Cory- Wright, Mrs Phelan, Mrs Heath, Miss C Heath, Miss T. Agnew, Miss Grey and Miss R Savage enjoyed flights.” (Thames Star, 29/11/1932)

The second event was the opening of the Tairua Hall. Typical of rural events back then , people came from the other surrounding places – Mercury Bay, Coroglen, Whenuakite and Whangamata. 

 Looking back over various newspaper reports seems the building progress was quick. Following the  laying of the first foundation stone. The Thames Star wrote: 

“The foundation stone of the Tairua ' Hall was duly laid by Mr Charles Oldham, the oldest resident of Talrua, at 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 6, before a large and representative gathering. The , hall will be4soft by 30ft, and will be equipped with a stage, dressing rooms and all the necessary conveniences. Mr Webb is the chief architect. A working bee is busy laying the foundation blocks, which were donated by Mr Martin Hutchinson. Another working bee will fence in the site as soon as possible, posts and strainers  being . gratuitously supplied. Mr Cory-Wright will saw the timber.” ( Thames Star, 12/03/1932 )

 Typical of New Zealand rural communities – fund raising via stalls and concerts,  working bees, labour contributed and donations of building materials has seen many community halls in New Zealand built and a testimony today of the input by many to give a building for the greater benefit of many.

 

Jamie playing piano - photo courtesy Chris Ball 

Certainly following the opening of the hall at the end of  1932, it became much used. Eight  months later it was a Tairua school concert and dance. The Thames Star reported that :- 

" Among those present were: Mesdames Nicol, Cory Wright, Phelan, Sheppard, Sylvia, Hazeldene, H.McGregor, G. McGregor, Agnew, Kreamer,. E. Hutchinson, W. Hutchinson, Prescott, Lowe, Heath, Beach, Lennar, R. Hutchinson, G. Petley, W. Lopes, and the Misses 0. Sheppard, T. Agnew, D. Lennan, E. Webb and L. Viera. " Thames Star,17/07/1933. 

The families of the Tairua valley - interlinked and intertwined by occupation, community and marriage. Some of the names reflected also the other valleys of Wharekawa, Whangamata and Whenuakite. Typical of those rural halls, Tairua hall became the focal point for weddings, an the after do - the wedding dance. The Lowe wedding in 1934 was said to be attended by 300 guests. The Petley and Heath wedding the following year in 1935,at the Tairua hall, reported 200 guests at the wedding breakfast.  The Thames Star also reported at both weddings, that Olive Sheppard played the music.   

Calf Club Day in Rural New Zealand

    

        Getting calf ready for calf club

 CALF CLUB DAY

Up early at the crack of dawn,

Trudging across paddock, in sun's piercing ray.

To catch my calf, of colour fawn,

For the moment, of the year, Calf Club Day.

 

Last minute, things to do.

 Halter and lead to whiten,

Washing down and brushing too,

 Her coat to gleam and brighten.

 

Off to school, with flowers under arm.

 To create, a posy, trim and neat.

Bringing to the day, beauty and charm.

 When community, gather to meet.

 

The calves have now arrived.

Coming. in many different contraptions.

 Along the fence, they are lined.

 Ready, for the day's, big competition.

 

The judges, in their white coats, stand,

As the calves are put through, their paces.

Grooming, type and leading by hand,

Hopeful looks, on their owner's faces.

 

And slowly, as the day, passes by,

The odd ribbon, here and there, is seen.

Owner of calf, with proud look, in eye,

For the colour of red, blue, yellow or green.

 

The end of the occasion, has now come,

 And the moment, we've been longing.

A Proud time, for the lucky some.

Champion of each section, for year ensuing.

 

Disappointment shows, on some of the faces,

 For they were sure, their calf, was the one.

 To have been, the best, at all paces,

To be top calf - Champion.

 

At home, I proudly dangle,

Upon, my bedroom wall.

A ribbon, of red and yellow,

For my best calf, so far, of all.

 

And now, as I look, at faded ribbon,

I think back, in my mind.

To long hours, of happy preparation,

Of those days, at Calf Club time.

 

Poem by Anne Stewart Ball 

Written July 1985

         Judging calves at Calf Club

Tairua Valley - Snippets of geographic and geological history

Looking up beautiful Tairua Valley towards head of valley - photo courtesy Chris Ball 2016

"The Tairua Valley is one of the most beautiful and romantic parts of the Hauraki
Peninsula.” (New Zealand Herald, 11 March 1914, Page 6) This written by a reporter visiting the area in 1914.

From the western End of this Valley up about 2,200  feet  (759 m) at the Pinnacles to sea level the eastern end. Along with the Pinnacles, other tall hills tower above the valley ( Mount Kaitarakihi )  Through the valley winds the Tairua river, with its four branches - from " the wires" near the headwaters of the Tairua, there is a plateau at about 1500 ft.

Looking towards the Pinnacles - left side top of photo - courtesy Chris Ball 2012

The Tairua valley, borne out of volcanic origins of millions of years ago, has many rugged steep hills surrounding the outer edge of the valley. From many points within the valley, can be seen a maze of low peaks and rolling ridges spread out in all directions - representing the dissected volcanic mass from the days of intense volcanic activity and lava flow.

low peaks born of volcanic activity - photo courtesy Chris Ball 2012

Rhyolite and andesite deposits are reminders of the volcanic  activity throughout the valley:-The low peak as viewed on the Woody Hill track lower Tairua valley as in the above photo. 

The rhyolitic dome  at the  harbour entrance to Tairua known as Paku. The development of  "Island"  which Homer and Moore wrote in Vanishing Volcanoes , began  7 or 8 million years ago ( Homer & Moore,p64)

Paku Island - photo 1950's unknown 

Paku " Island " is a dome within a dome. From the seaward side, can be seen the steep rhyolite eroded by the sea. 

                           View showing the twin peaks of Paku exposed to the sea - photo courtesy Chris Ball 2014

On the Southern side of the valley at the Tairua harbour mouth ( known in 2021  as Tairua Bar) and ocean lies Pauanui and  what is known as South Beach Pauanui. Beyond South Beach on the forested hills between Pauanui and Ohui lies 

a huge rhyolite dome, said to be formed 7 to 8 million years ago ( long, long ago).

                                      Pauanui to Ohui - photo courtesy Chris Ball  2015

Several parts of the dome cooled slowly, the outcome being the  spectacular columnar jointing, particularly at low tide, seen in 2021.

   Spectacular columnar jointing South Beach Pauanui photo courtesy Chris Ball 2012 - above, below 

From many points and the three settlements - Hikuai, Pauanui, Tairua, in the Tairua valley can be see to the Western side, towering over all - the Pinnacles. In all the valley is a spectacular reminder of part of our past New Zealand history with its rhyolite and andesite volcanic remains of long ago. 

                                  Towards the Pinnacles - photo courtesy Chris Ball 2014

Reference Source : 

• Bell, J. M. (1914). The Wilds of Maoriland . London: MacMillan and Co Ltd.
• by Bell, James Mackintosh,; Fraser, Colin; New Zealand. Geological Survey BranchThe geology of the Waihi-Tairua subdivision, Hauraki division Wellington, [N.Z.] : by authority John Mackay, Govt. Printer 1912
• Moore , P Homer, L. ,. 1992). Vanishing Volcanoes: A guide to the landforms and rock formations of Coromandel Penisula. Wellington: Landscape Publications.
• REPORT ON THE GEOLOGY OF THE CAPE COLVILLE PENINSULA, AUCKLAND. BY ALEXANDER McKAY, F.G.S., HON. M., N.Z. INST., GOVERNMENT GEOLOGIST.Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1897 Session II, C-09
• C. J. Adams , I. J. Graham , D. Seward , D. N. B. Skinner , C. J. Adams , D.N. B. Skinner & P. R. Moore (1994) Geochronological and geochemical evolution of late Cenozoic volcanism in the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand, New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 37:3, 359-379, https://doi.org/10.1080/00288306.1994.9514626
•  Barbara Malengreau , David Skinner , Chris Bromley & Philippa Black (2000) Geophysical characterisation of large silicic volcanic structures in the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand, New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 43:2, 171 186, https://doi.org/10.1080/00288306.2000.9514879
• by B.W. Hayward*, P.R. Moore*t, D.A.B. MacFarlan GEOLOGY OF SHOE ISLAND AND THE SLIPPER ISLAND GROUP TANE 20 1974
• (New Zealand Herald, 11 March 1914, Page 6

 

Whiritoa - From long ago to now 2020

                                     Whiritoa Blow Hole end - photo courtesy Chris Ball 2015

Way back, millions of years ago, there were violent volcanic upheavals and things were said to be pretty hot. The earth spewed molten rock and lava from deep within, changing the landscape and forming what we see today.

                                   Cliffs south end Whiritoa - photo courtesy Chris Ball 2009

 Whiritoa, with the two valleys known as Whiritoa and Ramarama. ( called for the streams which flowed through them.) 

                        Whiritoa stream winding through wetlands to blowhole - photo Chris Ball 2010

Stretching from the mouth of the Otahu Inlet all the way to Waimama Bay, near Whiritoa was once a huge caldera called Tunaiti. Tunaiti’s diameter was said to be about 5 kilometres. The earth lay still. The sea invaded part of Tunaiti Caldera. Molten lava cooled, creating the spectacular coastline seen today. 

                                                     Along the coast to Whiritoa - photo JM Stewart 1980's

The collapsed caves and blowholes of Whiritoa South. Columnar  Jointing along parts of the cliffs around Papakura Bay. The distinct dome shapes of the hills seen up the Whiritoa and Ramarama Valleys, a reminder of the volcanic activity. Minerals, typical of Coromandel Peninsular volcanic upheaval, lay chilled in the coastal cliff faces - dark glassy perlite – a form of obsidian, still seen today.

                                  Rocky cliff Whiritoa South - photo courtesy Chris Ball 2015

 A mixed forest of kauri established itself on the volcanic ash and pumice. To this area came our First Peoples to gather the abundant supply of fish, shellfish and flax. Pa were established and the area was settled. That was long ago, and evidence can be found by archaeologists in the middens along the coast.

Whiritoa from the cliffs - photo courtesy Chris Ball 2004

Then came European seeking timber and from 1873 those seeking to stake their gold mining claim. They used sea transport (price negotiated) or mainly the Maori tracks. Some over the ranges and other tracks which followed a route from Paritu, Whangamata, Parakiwai, via Whiritoa to  Mataora and on to Ohinemuri.  There was certainly no State Highway 25 then.

Looking over the hills of Whiritoa towards the ranges and tracks across - photo courtesy Chris Ball 2007

In the 1880’s, a store was established at Parakiwai to trade gum and provide supplies to the surrounding areas. The Ross family, who settled at Whiritoa farming, found company in the few gold miners still working their claims in the Parakiwai area. The Te Wharekirauponga Stream (past the Royal Standard Mine) and Te Whareki tracks over to Golden Cross were ideal “shortcuts” to visit Ross friends at Waitekauri. However these tracks also gained the reputation of being a “Packers' nightmare “owing to the traffic use and sometimes very boggy conditions. Still no road to Whiritoa from Waihi.

 The Royal Standard Mine operation closed down in 1897. Gum digging, kauri logging and gold mining faded away, with farming taking their place. Mataora, in the next bay Southward, became a large farm, which helped sustain iwi  farming the land block, during the depression of the 1930's. There were also employment at the giant Waihi Gold mining Company. A " native school" was also built in 1908.A number of children from Whiritoa also went to this school, using the track fringing Otongo Point, Whiritoa to Mataora.

schoolhouse " Native school" Mataora - photo courtesy Chris Ball 2002

Mr. Ross, as well as farming at Whiritoa, kept sheep at Parakiwai ,in the next valley Northwards. Ross  shipped the wool via steamer to Auckland from Whangamata, or via Pack Horse to Waihi. At long last in the early 1920’s a clay road was opened from Waihi to Parakiwai via Whiritoa. Early days saw it with the reputation of a “buggy driver’s nightmare” for many of the same reasons as the Te Wharekirauponga Track. The Ross farm at Whiritoa was a great half – way point for Phillip Williamson, early settler of Whangamata, along with others, having “braved “ the clay road or Otahu Estuary. Over the years the road changed to a metalled State Highway 25, then the tar seal of today. ( after the 1960’s) The Ross farm gave way to a subdivision - Whiritoa.

Houses and baches sprang up and a new era for Whiritoa began. Today holidays near the sea, coastline and bush of long ago.

sea in storm invaded cliff wall South end - photo courtesy Chris Ball 2015

Reference Sources

• Binney, Judith, Redemption Songs: A Life of Te Kooti  Arikirangi Te Turuki, Auckland University Press, 1995 p293 –294
• Homer, L.; Moore, P. Vanishing Volcanoes: A guide to the landforms and rock formations of Coromandel Peninsula. Landscape Publications, Wellington.1992.
• Williamson, Beverley, M. Whangamata – 100 Years of Change, Goldfields Print Ltd. 1988
• Map N.Z. M.S. 274 , Coromandel State Forest Park, New Zealand Forest Service, 1st edition 1979
• In Ohinemuri Regional History Journal Historic Tracks of the Ohinemuri District Chook's Manuscripts THE TE WHAREKIRAUPONGA TRACK QUARRY ROAD TO GOLDEN CROSS http://www.ohinemuri.org.nz/index.html Also includes Extracts from ‘ The Patchwork Quilt “ by L.P. Wheeler

Lava flow exposed after storm 2009 - photo Chris Ball 

Waiorongomai AKA Piako County Tramway near Te Aroha

courtesy Chris Ball 2009

Waiorongomai Tramway AKA Piako County Tramway AKA Te Aroha Tramway - part of the past of our goldmining, railway and tramway heritage of New Zealand.  This tramway is listed as a NZ Heritage historic place category 1, said to be an " outstanding nineteenth century development in industrial engineering" ( Heritage NZ 

This tramway is also a part of our family history and a favorite of a number of our tramping cousins, For this is where James Stewart, civil engineer, began survey and construction of a tramway for the Piako County Council. 

In 2020 this tramway is a popular tourism spot for trampers, hikers and walkers for is one of the few New Zealand railway and tramway relics where many of the rails are still in place.

Break on May Queen 2009 photo courtesy Chris Bal1

This tramway is where James Stewart's second son, James Jnr. began his engineering apprenticeship under the strict tutelage of his father ( newly retired from the Public Works Department as District Engineer who then was  in private engineering practice - Stewart and Hunter - with other engineers joining this firm. Some of us call this tramway, James Stewart Snr's swan song, because it is one of height and steep inclines. 

Surveys  for the tramway began  back in 1882. On the eastern slopes of Mount Te Aroha. All as a result of Hone Wharehiko discovering gold. " Gold fever" bought prospectors to the area and vast amounts of capital for it was hard rock mining and not the alluvial gold of the South Island. A town - Waiorongomai - sprang up along with mines and batteries. The area was very steep, the completed tramway said to rise to  430 m (1,410 ft) with a gradient of 1in 4. The purpose of constructing this tramway was to bring the quartz for crushing down, to the four batteries.

THE MINING REVIVAL IN THE AUCKLAND PROVINCE: THE WAIORONGOMAI BATTERY, SOME FIVE MILES DISTANT FROM TE AROHA, AUCKLAND. courtesy 

 Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19090624-2-2

At the Piako County meeting in May of 1882 the following resolutions were passed which saw the beginning of this tramway being formed.

" That, firstly. Messrs  Jas. Stuart and Alex 'Aitken 'be requested to report in conjunction with the county engineer upon the best line. for a main tramway at Te Aroha, together with the best system of connecting branch tramways (either wire or otherwise), with the main line, and the probable cost thereof. Secondly. That Crs. J. C. Firth and Whitaker be a committee for the purpose of giving the engineer the necessary instructions and as to the remuneration." ( Waikato Times 04/05/1882)

Following a report to the meeting three weeks later of the Piako County Council by Stewart and Purchas ( a Mining Engineer and authorised surveyor ) on  the proposed tramway, saw Stewart appointed engineer for the construction. Also for drawings of the tramway and tenders which included formation, rails and sleepers.

Thames Star 

8 September 1882 

Page 3

courtesy papers past National Library NZ 

A combination of weather and terrain  hampered progress during the winter of 1882. By the end of November 1882, Darrow and Foughey were announced, successful tenderers for  a contract for formation of the tramway. McLiver's tender for 4,500 sleepers, to be supplied  in mainly kauri, with an option of six kinds of wood.  

A locomotive was ordered for the Wairongomai Tramway AKA Piako County Tramway. This was a first for engineering firm Price Bros of  Thames NZ. A four wheeled, geared type with horizontal cyls, this locomotive sat idle, as it was decided to use horse power rather than steam power to  bring the quartz  down. The locomotive ,from research undertake, then led a varied and chequered use. Not long after the Tramway opened October 1984, a " For Sale by Tender notice appeared in the local Te Aroha newspaper.

                                           Te Aroha News 27 December 1884 Page 7 courtesy Papers Past NZ National Library

The locomotive  continued to languish unused until  reported in the Waikato Times that it had  been  put into the hands of  Messrs Morrin and Co for sale for which they received £350. Bought by Smyth Bros of Kennedy Bay, Coromandel peninsula, the locomotive worked a bush tramway transporting logs until about 1906. In 1908 ,the Public Works Department purchased the locomotive for work down the South Island NZ , on the Otira line and the Blenheim to Waipara line.  

Showing a small rail bridge in bush setting at Waiorongomai. Situated at the southern foot of Mount Te Aroha, Piako County, Waikato. Gold was discovered in the vicinity in 1880, and mining continued there until about 1920. Possible prospector's hut at right. Courtesy Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 7-A16035

Stewart resigned from the Piako County Tramway project in early 1883 due to other commitments, with survey and construction of the Rotorua Railway. H H Adams completed the permanent way of the  tramway as engineer in charge. Under weather conditions and slips Adams completed the tramway. Both Adams and Stewart attended the opening of the battery and tramway in November 1883.

Waiorongomai Tramway incline on Mount Te Aroha, Piako County. Ref: 1/2-090945-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23036514

At the dinner celebrating the opening, Mr. Josiah  Firth, it was reported: - 

"The Chairman rose to award well-de-served praise to Mr. James Stewart the designer of the tramway and to Mr. H.H. Adams  who carried it out. It would remain as a monument to the engineering skill and indomitable pluck of both gentlemen. "( Te Aroha News, 06/12/1883/p2)

Despite the tramway's critics about cost, design  and functioning once opened, it has remained a monument to engineering skill and pluck. Easy to see this in 2020, looking back at this part of New Zealand history when for a very short while miners attempted to wrest gold from the quartz on the slopes of a high mountain - Te Aroha.  

Wairongomai Tramway 2009 - photo courtesy Chris Ball

Reference Source:

•       Stott, B. (1983). Prices of Thames Locomotive and General Engineers, Thames NZ. Dunedin: Southern Press Ltd.
•          MINES STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF MINES, THE HON. W. J. M. LARNACH, C.M.G. 24th JULY, 1885. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1885 Session I, C-06
•         GOLDFIELDS, ROADS, WATER-RACES, AND OTHER WORKS IN CONNECTION WITH MINING (REPORT ON). Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1886 Session I, C-04
•           Piako Tramway, Heritage NZ https://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/7401
•      From<https://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=19005753>04/03/1882 - J. C. Firth; Application to form a tramway situated at Waiorongomai Creek, Te Aroha.    R19005753 BBAV 11586 A556 1/ao
•            Waikato Times 4 May 1882 Page 2 
•             Waikato Times 30 May 1882 Page 2
•             28 August 1882 Thames Advertiser 
•             Thames Star 8 September 1882 Page 3
•             Thames Star  24 February 1883  Page 2 (Supplement)
•              Waikato Times  5 May 1883  Page 2
•              Auckland Star  11 October 1883  Page 2
•              Waikato Times  11 October 1883  Page 2
•               Te Aroha News  3 November 1883  Page 2 
•               New Zealand Herald  7 December 1883  Page 5
•               Te Aroha News 27 December 1884 Page 7
•               Waikato Times  17 October 1885  Page 2

The Legacy of Ethel Rose - a grandmother

Looking from Shore area  ( Te Pingao ) to Maukaha Rocks and Whenuakura at Whangamata
 - photo courtesy  Chris Ball 2017

Certainly a year of unprecedented events here in New Zealand. It was back on Wednesday ( 12th August 2020) to Level 3 for Auckland and Level 2 the rest of New Zealand because of another wave of Covid 19 cases. For us on the Coromandel's Eastern Seaboard, it was postponed club and organisation activities, social distancing of 2 metres, telephoning family and friends, sanitising and hand washing again. Back to reading, writing and sharing with family and friends - those memories of people, time and place. 

My friend Rose Marie made email contact with a story she wished to share. Rose Marie wrote a tale for "True Tales of Coromandel's Eastern Seaboard" back in 2015. That book was one of the first true tales books published by The Coromandel Heritage Trust. which is a place in Thames, New Zealand. In what was once a Carnegie Library - now an archive of records and photos  of Coromandel people and places. 

Typical of many of us, sorting through treasured family photos and papers, Rose Marie thought back with fond memories of her mother - that part of the past New Zealand history that is also family history. As with many of us in New Zealand, our forebears have come from other places and other countries - where COVID 19 has been an extremely virulent pandemic.

The Legacy of Ethel Rose - a grandmother         by Rose Marie

In 2015 I wrote about my xmas wish that magically happened to me in January 2003  "The Xmas Bach". Prior to my wish coming true, My hubby and our boys lived in an old bus with blown out windows boarded up with plywood and a garage housing my husband's favourite girl "Bonnie" an old trustworthy Bonito Boat. 

 When our first son Stephen was born my husband built a lovely little cabin for me that we could all go to sleep in without rain coming down on us (which

was happening to us in the old bus).  The cabin was small and compact which opened out to a lovely fern garden surrounded by Ponga Trees.  After so many years when our second son  James was born  the cabin was too small for a family of four.  

Rosemarie with Ethel at book launch 2015
Photo courtesy Chris Ball Dec 2015

As luck would have it, I came across a little 50's bach that had room for 2 to 3 bedrooms at minimal cost from Harbour View Road to where it is now.

My Xmas wish of 2002 was granted.

In 2015 Stephen and James's Grandma Ethel , a kiwi born woman with croatian parents aged 90 stayed with us in the xmas batch ushering in a new year 2016.

This was a different lifestyle for her and one she was proud of, for her two grandsons to experience a way of life she was not fortunate to have.

Ethel left a very strong message for her grandsons to never forget that the Bach has become  an iconic part of our history and culture which symbolises our beach holiday lifestyle and that of simple  pleasures which we all take for granted.

The Bach design was a rectangular shape that was open plan with a basic kitchen and small bedrooms at the back. where the family could relax and appreciate the view. Ethel approved of the small, compact and economic heritage batch, as in her day during the postwar era it was not the done thing to show off wealth.

As we all know these modest bachs are gradually disappearing from the beach landscape.  

Ethel wistfully said her Otto (husband) always wanted a boat as he was a very good swimmer but he never fulfilled that dream as he never took the time to just dream and make it come true.

Ethel rejoiced in the fact that her grandsons not only enjoyed the beach and all it had to offer, but that they were part of the community and went to school there.

She enjoyed watching them grow and play by the sea and went to their music concerts and birthdays as most grandparents do.  An experience she hopes her two grandsons will not take for granted and treasure the place with all its memories in years to come.

Tawa Tawa Hall near Opoutere School also a place of community, gatherings and concerts 
Photo courtesy Chris Ball November 2017

Covid 19  March 2020 Lockdown.

We now learned to grow vegetables on our land we haven' t  yet subdivided.

We learned to watch out over the neighbour's property if they weren't there.

We learned to acknowledge each other, smile and appreciate all the wonderful reserves and parks that have been handed down to generations to fully utilise.

But we must be kind to these reserves and parks so the next generation can appreciate what people like my mother Ethel was so proud off and fought for in their own way.

This is our heritage! Pristine unspoiled beaches, native forests and an unspoiled relaxed atmosphere where everyone can feel welcome and soak it all in.

Photo shot from Whangamata Peninsula looking across at Point Whangamata  and to cliffs at Otahu estuary river mouth - Te Kumete -   photo courtesy Chris Ball 2009

August 2020

The time is now for an end of the Winter get together to warm our hearts and bring us together to celebrate many milestones in this community we call Whangamata with mixed cultures that all have a common goal!

Goodwill, honesty and loyalty!  So we ensure the next generation will be there for the next crisis.

Roll on Summer 2020/2021

                                       .....................................       

Yes -  those things that warm our heart - messages from whānau - goodwill, honesty and loyalty - given and passed down through generations by forebears - a part of the past of  NZ History binding the stories of place and people together.

Yes - many of us are reflecting and writing during COVID 19 lockdown as well as contacting by phone, whānau around the world and sharing our reflections and writings. Thank you Rose Marie.

Flower of Pohutukawa - Metrosideros excelsa - Pohutukawa said to
symbolise birth and rebirth - photo courtesy Chris Ball 2012

Reference Source 

• Emails from Rose Marie August 2020
• Dalmatian Cultural Society https://www.dalmatian.org.nz/
• Life in the Bubble, Nelson Public Libraries, NZ http://www.nelsonpubliclibraries.co.nz/library/life-in-the-bubble
• " My Hero is You " UNICEF  https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/my-hero-you
• " My COVID 19 Story" , Youth of UNESCO ttps://en.unesco.org/youth/my-covid19-story
• Opoutere School https://www.opoutereschool.net/
• The Coromandel Heritage Trust https://thetreasury.org.nz/
• Whangamata  Destination Coromandel