Overview Bob looks at family history and their settling on the Ermadale farm, its condition, childhood chores and child pass times e.g. hut building and collecting birds eggs. He briefly looks at the war years; his marriage, children and of a 100 acres farm at Gropers Bush. He eventual grew his farm ownership to 1100 acres between Gropers Bush, Waipango and Ermadale; talking of the condition and farming of these. He also worked as a contractor and shearer and purchased a portable hay baler working...

Overview This is an extensive interview with Adam which covers his family history dating back to Scotland and the immigration to NZ on board the ‘Three bells’; Adams war experiences in the Air force, as a prisoner of war in Stalag 3 and the Lubeck March; his life after the war on a farm he won in the land ballot, His involvement with DHL, Bahrain and the Gulf war. Adam also tells of the plane accident in Foveaux Strait which lead to the loss of his grandson.

Overview This interview covers Bill’s arrival from Ireland to Outram. In 1941 he volunteered for the navy, describes this process, the training and activities in Pacific. He talks of the ships and conditions; the torpedoing of the ‘Leander’ plus returning to NZ on aircraft carrier ‘Atheling’. Bill talks of his work history after the war i.e. freezing works, shearing, wool store, butchery and the purchase of farm land, his family life and children’s achievements.

Overview In this interview Jack talks of his family history and grandparent’s employment with mining e.g. Nightcaps and Linton Coal Company; the family orchard in McIvor Road. Jack goes on to recall his own education, employment with the Post Office and war experiences where he was in the Army Signals in 21st battalion posted in the Middle East. In 1945 he returned to the Post Office transferring to Wellington-Lower Hutt exchange. In 1956 he and wife Thelma returned to Southland and purchased a small...

Overview This interview covers Raymond’s life in Western Southland, his memories of life as a child on the family farm, the work and machinery. Has a collection of machinery in a private Museum at Waipango, Describes the retrieval of a tractor from 52 feet of water - there for 22 years. He talks of the trials and tribulations of the financial side of farming. He also had a contracting business.

Overview In this interview Arthur gives an overview of his family history, farm, and ‘Roslin House’ (the old homestead). He talks of his childhood and describes rabbiting and the methods used and the processing of the good ones at Woodlands Meat Works/Cannery. He describes and discusses farming practice e.g. wheat growing, shearing with blades, sheep and cattle. Arthur also talks of his education and gaining a scholarship to Lincoln College; the meeting of his wife Margaret and his son’s decision to...

Overview In this interview Margaret covers her family history, her education and the subjects taught. She returned to the family sheep farm where she took over the running of the home due to her mother’s illness. She describes/discusses some of the family traditions i.e. holidays at Riverton and family Christmas; the war years, rationing, meeting her husband Arthur and living in Trotter house ‘Roslin’ and what this involved. Margaret’s interests include: Women’s Division, writing books on family and...