Newsletter of the
Helensville & District Historical
Society (Inc)
March 2016
Contents include:
A&P Show page 3
Bruce Shanks page 4
Gabrielle Hildreth page 6-7
Further Farewells page 7-8
Butter makers at the 2016 Helensville A&P Show
Left to Right: Margaret Truman, Alison Brookes, Janet Cridland
Photo by Lynn Milllar
FROM THE EDITORS
Surprisingly we are now into the third month of the year and the A & P Show is behind us. Life
at the Museum is busy with many visitors popping in. the organisation of the Archives Room
continues and now there are the major changes in the layout of the Schoolhouse displays (see
Lynn's notes, page 5). The Society is sad to have farewelled several good friends over this
summer (see pages 6-9).
Despite all that is going on in our own Society we have two good chances this year to catch up
with what is happening in the wider historical world. Over the weekend of 29 April – 1 May
the NZ History Federation Conference will be held in Auckland, and will be a good chance to
see what is happening elsewhere. (Page 9). At the end of August, our society will be hosting the
Auckland Regional Day, which will be well worth attending (see page 9).
Best wishes from Lynn Millar and Wynne HaySmith
Members News
Glenyss and Brian Blackshaw left their Te Pua home and garden in January to move into
Crestwood Village in New Lynn. They send their greetings to their friends in the society, and
say that they are gradually settling into village life. Peter and Sue Lock, formerly of South
Head, moved to Orewa in December 2015, and are busily occupied at their new home with a
big garden makeover. Leigh Bosch had an emergency visit to hospital in January, and has had
an enforced period of rest and recuperation. We are pleased to say that she is now getting back
on her feet, and involved again in the Schoolhouse renovations (and her many other duties). We
also hear that Tom and DD Tulloch have sold their Makarau home, and are moving to
Warkworth. Tom has been a stalwart of the barn volunteer team, and will be sadly missed.
More on this next issue.
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COMING EVENTS
There are several changes to the advertised 2016 programme, as distributed with the December
Newsletter. Children's Day, set down for March, has been postponed as the Women's Centre
have their celebration in March as well. Our children's events will be incorporated into a later
Open Day. Bus Trip to Birkenhead has had to be postponed. The Winter Lectures will go
ahead as scheduled (see page 4). The AGM is set for Friday 24 June at 1 pm. Please mark this
in your diaries and come along to support and encourage your Committee, and be involved in
future planning. Trivial Pursuits our popular annual fundraiser is in August, and a new date to
fit in to the calendar is our hosting of the Auckland Regional Historical Day on Saturday 27
August (see page 9). A new exciting venture will be Jen McCann's documentary film to be
screened in September. Our big Open Days at the end of the year are the Heritage Day event in
October, the Car Club show in November and the Santa Parade Show in December. More
information on these events in the next newsletter.
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A New name for the museum nEWSLETTER
As part of the process of rebranding the Museum, it was necessary to rename the newsletter,
and our media person, Jen McCann made an offer on our Facebook page for an award for good
ideas. Quite a number of suggestions were made and considered by the Committee, which
finally came up with the logical title “Newsletter of the Helensville & District Historical
Society (Inc)”. Several free memberships were passed on to Facebook users.
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ANNUAL SHOWCASE FOR THE SOCIETY
Helensville A & P Show
From its earliest days (established 1968)
the Historical Society has brought its work
before the public, through having a stall at
the A & P Show. Over the years this has
grown from a humble 8ft x 8ft canvas tent,
to its present privileged position in the
indoors exhibits area. At first the stall was
a chance to recruit members, but over the
years the idea of presenting a special
Clydesdale horses and cart available for rides “show display” using photos and
museum exhibits evolved. Smaller tents
were not satisfactory as display areas, especially if the weather was windy or wet!
The best outdoor venue from the Society's point of view was when the Show Committee
hired a marquee, divided into individual bays. This was available for several years, and
presented a sheltered but open and light display area. One year the society was fortunate
enough to be allocated two adjacent bays. From memory this was utilised to feature
farming and the Dairy Company. In 1986, when the second edition of “Men Came
Voyaging” was published, it was launched at the show by the Historical Society and the
Lions Club of Helensville.
At one time the Society held active outdoor displays of washing, cooking damper bread
and even one year making jam and pickles.
However it was decided that these displays
created several risks, and so were
discontinued, but the butter-making team
still make a very popular annual appearance.
Although the first A & P Show was recorded
in 1900, there were two wartime years when
the show could not be held, so the 2016
event was actually the 114th show. The
Society’s largest photo display was specially
mounted, with assistance from the A & P
committee for the Show Centenary.
Display of old clothes this year
When the Society finally decided that it could not risk taking photos and exhibits to
display in tents, due to security, weather concerns, and inadequate lighting they were
very grateful that the Show Committee allocated some indoor space in the main
building, and this has continued with annual themed photo displays. The stall still acts
as a good public relations site, and sells preserves and books, and raffle tickets (usually
grocery baskets prizes) as well as enrolling new members!
For 2016 a new idea was tried and people were able to have their photos taken standing
behind wooden “colonial man or woman frames!
Story by Wynne HaySmith. Photos by Lynn Millar
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PROFILE – BRUCE SHANKS
DEDICATED FAMILY HISTORIAN
Researching family history has been a hobby – even a way of life over
many years - for Bruce Shanks, of Manurewa. Bruce is connected
with the Shanks, Russell, Spinley and Bradly families of the
Helensville and Kaukapakapa districts. His parents and grandparents
were all born in Helensville (and so was Bruce).
Bruce said that he began looking at family history seriously when he
was putting together a “This is your life” presentation for his parent's
50th wedding anniversary in the late 1980s. His father, Charles
Shanks married Nellie Russell. They had met as school children at
Lochnorrie School, at aged 7, and so when they both died at 94, they
had been friends and partners for 87 years! Bruce's detailed family
histories are held in the family history section of the Museum.
Bruce was a hobby photographer before he began researching
genealogy, and the two interests have complemented each other over
Bruce Shanks
the
years. Bruce took his first photos at aged 12 on his grandmother’s
November 2006
Box Brownie camera (and double exposed every shot). This mistake
spurred him on to learn how to take photos properly. The first camera he bought when he was a
pharmacy apprentice, aged 17 was a good German (Braun) folding camera. Bruce considers he
has been a trendsetter as a photographer – for example he first started using digital cameras
about 1998, long before they were universally popular. He has been an active member of
Camera Clubs, and has taken many exhibition and prizewinning photos.
Bruce was a pharmacist in managerial roles for 57 years, before retiring at age 73. He has lived
in Manurewa since 1961, but retains a keen interest in the Helensville-Kaukapakapa district and
in a long-standing member of the Historical Society. As well as a hobby for Bruce photography
was a parallel profession with pharmacy with Bruce. He was a member of the NZ Professional
Photographers Association for over 30 years. He introduced home processed colour printing as
viable hobby at the annual Photographic Convention in 1975.
Bruce will be giving the first Winter Lecture for the 2016 year, at the Father Sakey Centre,
Kowhai Street, Helensville on Sunday 15 May at 2 pm. He will show a slide presentation on the
Shanks family of Kaukapakapa. An event not to be missed.
Wynne HaySmith
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Winter Lectures 2016—
Held at Father Sakey Centre, Kowhai Street. Entry $10 per person (members $8.00)
including afternoon Tea.
Sunday 15 May—2pm Speaker Bruce Shanks will present an illustrated talk on the SHANKS
FAMILY OF KAUKAPAKAPA.
Sunday 19 June—2pm Speaker Chris Hagon of Cauldrey House Society Wenderholm will
talk about some the STATELY HOMES IN ENGLAND where he worked. Those of us who
have heard Chris speak can guarantee an interesting and amusing illustrated talk.
Sunday 17 July—2pm Speaker Dianne McLeod will talk about CHANGES IN PARAKAI
OVER THE YEARS. Dianne has collected a great range of photographs about Parakai and the
thermal resort.
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Notes from Lynn's desk
The last few months have been busy
here at the Museum. We have had
several visits from clubs along with
local activities being based here. The
weather was kind to us on Santa
Festival with lots of people visiting.
THE GARDENS are looking very
good with the new garden blooming.
This garden is full of colour in the
summer but it is also going to be great
in the winter. There is a new area
being planned for between the
Archives Building and the fence. In
this area there is already an upright
garden with lots more to be planted.
What a difference a few months make!!
The garden outside the Archive Building
THE ARCHIVE TEAM are still in
the process of cataloguing the
records but work is progressing
nicely. The photo team’s project of digitalising the photos is progressing with more and more
photos being done. These projects are long term ones with more work to done as more records
and photos being catalogued. Both teams work from the Archive Building on Wednesday
mornings.
THE SCHOOLHOUSE is at present looking a little empty as we renovate. The inside of the
building has been repainted and the plan is to have timeline displays along a painted river
running on the floor. There will be a new dedicated Maori Room (in the old Archives Room)
which will house displays of the Pre-European history along with some interactive displays.
The old office has been transformed into a new area for volunteers and now houses the photo
albums , family history information and items for sale. This is a big change and is being carried
out by Leigh Bosch, Isla Willis and Lynn Millar with assistance from others.
THANKS to the PD team who have been painting the Schoolhouse, tidying up the gardens and
other such maintenance work as required. We are very grateful to these boys as we rely on their
muscle to do a lot of the hard work around the grounds. A big thanks goes out to them and their
efforts and to Ron Iles who is on hand to guide their activities.
WAITOKI SCHOOL building will be getting a new roof this month. The Auckland Council
have given a grant for half the cost, with the Society funding the rest from held funds. Once
this has been done, there will further work to replace a beam, build a deck out front, extend the
walkway from the Archives Building and clean up the inside. The design for use of the space is
still to be decided, but it is envisaged that further display areas and storage space will be
incorporated.
NEW SIGNS are underway for the Museum to reflect the name change. We have applied for a
grant from Te Papa to cover most of the cost. Signcraftsmen in Kumeu have quoted and come
up with a great new look for us. Watch for these signs soon.
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Farewell to Friends
Society Patron—GABRIELLE HILDRETH 1925 - 2016
Gay Hildreth 2015 at Craigweil
Gabrielle Garland was born in Whakatane in
1925 and the family moved around until they
settled in Rotorua, when Gay was 12. By then
she had attended seven primary schools. After
two years at Rotorua High School, she moved to
Epsom Girls Grammar in Auckland and began a
very successful academic career; graduating MA
with honours in English at Auckland University,
in 1946. After a teaching spell at Nelson she had
two years overseas with friends Barbara Guy and
Frae Walters, returning to Epsom Girls Grammar
to teach 1953-55. Two of her former students
from this era spoke enthusiastically of Gay's
brilliance as a teacher, inspiring in her students a
love of literature and the skills of writing and
speaking – using methods well ahead of the times
including debating. She encouraged her students
in her own great love of books and reading.
Gay's friend Barbara Guy lived in Woodhill, and while attending her wedding there, Gay
met local farmer Peter Hildreth. After her teaching at Epsom, Gay moved to Fiji to
teach, but returned to New Zealand to marry Peter in 1956. The move to becoming a
farmer's wife at Woodhill meant a very different life style for a city girl, but Gay
embraced it with her usual enthusiasm, and was soon taking part in the activities of the
district, including the tennis club and the Drama Circle of the Country Women's
Institute. The three sons, Guy, Johnny and Brian were brought up being involved in all
the farming and motoring interests of their father and taken off for adventurous holidays
with their mother, the Woods (Barbara Guy) and Blanshard (Frae Walters) families, and
to their grand-parents in Rotorua; thus enabling them to build up strong friendships with
both parents.
Gay's deep concern for education lead her, together with a group of interested women in
Helensville to establishing a local branch of the Playcentre movement in the early 1960s.
Playcentre was a great education for the children and their mothers, and is still
functioning in Helensville today. When her sons were older, Gay took up a tutoring
position in the English Department at Auckland University, (1971) that she held
successfully for many years. During these years, too, Gay was writing and publishing
short stories. Her love of art, music and drama also took her to many functions in the
city, and she was a docent (guide) at the Auckland Art Gallery.
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With Gay's love of music and drama, and Peter's expertise in making and fixing
equipment, it was no surprise that the Hildreths were involved with the Helensville
Players in the mid sixties. In the first production of this ambitious company, “The
Lisbon Story” (1965) Gay was amused to be asked play the part of the young female
lead. Gay later produced a paly for the company.
In 1970 Gay took a very significant step when she bought a bach at Stanmore Bay,
Whangaparaoa, overlooking the bay and close to the beach. This became a loved spot –
her sanctuary. She used to say that she could be herself there. She also generously
allowed family and friends to enjoy holidays at the bach.
When the Kaipara Toastmistress (later ITC) branch was formed in the mid 1970s Gay
joined and soon became a leading light in all aspects of speech making, meeting
procedures and particularly encouraged debating. The club was a great training ground
and confidence building organisation and Gay encouraged many new members. Her
sense of humour was greatly appreciated. Travel was a strong interest for Gay and with
friends or on her own she visited many continents and countries, travelling to some quite
out of the way places, like Mongolia; always ready to tell great stories of her adventures
to ITC members and friends elsewhere.
When Gay joined the Helensville and District Historical Society she saw a need to
record the many stories held particularly by the older residents of the district. In the
1980s the Oral History project gained funding and the current valuable collection of over
90 tapes was gradually built up. Each recording involved many hours of preparation,
interviews, recording, editing and transcription, and Gay built up a team of workers.
Copies of the oral tapes are held at the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington and
Auckland Public Library as well as in the Helensville Museum archives. When the
Society decided to make a book of stories of pioneering women as a millenium project,
Gay was one of the writing/editing team. Many of the entries had been gathered initially
for the 1993 Suffrage Year, but many more had to be collected for the publication of
“Pioneering Women of South Kaipara” in July 2000. In recognition of her valuable
contributions to the written and spoken recordings, Gay was made a Patron of the
Historical Society.
As well as these educational organisations, Gay had a love of flowers, gardening and
crafts and was active in the Floral Art club and the Spinning Group. Gay was given a
heartfelt farewell at her funeral service at St Matthews Church, Helensville on Monday
22 February, 2016. People spoke with warmth of her great facility for friendship, her
dedication to her sons, her commitment to community projects, inspired teaching, her
love of travel and enthusiasm for life. Although Gay used to say she was really an
outsider, she has proved herself a valued member of the local district and will be sadly
missed by so many people.
Contributed by Wynne HaySmith with acknowledgement to the Hildreth family and
speakers on 22 February.
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FURTHER FAREWELLS
Over the summer of 2015-2016 the district has lost a number of well known and loved
residents including several members of the Historical Society.
JOY STEELE died 11 December 2015, wife of David Steele, Woodhill. Joy and David
have been long term supporters of the Society, especially in relation to Woodhill history
and photographs. Joy had a family of one daughter and two sons with grandchildren and
great grandchildren. Joy’s daughter-in-law Brenda, local councilor, also supports the
Society.
JOYCE McLEOD (16 April 1923 – 31 December 2015), widow of Jock McLeod of
South Head died on New Year's Eve, aged 92. Joyce (nee Sibbe) met Jock during the
Second World War when they were both in the Wellington area, and they were married
on 20 January 1945, before Jock left to join the war in Europe. They returned to live on
the McLeod farm at South Head after the war and Joyce became very involved with
community life, largely through the activities of the Women's Divison of Federated
Farmers (WDFF). She was a skilled seamstress, and a dedicated home-maker. The
McLeods brought up a family of five – two daughters and three sons. Elder son
Laurence is now head of the local McLeod family. After Jock died in 1998, Joyce
remained at South Head until moving into Hibiscus Coast Village, Red Beach in 2007
where she lived until shifting to Warkworth in June 2015.
Two prominent Kaukapakapa families (Dye and Poland) lost members in January 2016.
NATALIE MARY PIKETT nee POLAND (6 March 1938 – 5 January 2016) was
brought up in Kaukapakapa with her parents Pat and Jeanie Poland and two brothers Ian
and Doug. Natalie went to Kaukapakapa Primary and Helensville High School, and was
involved in several sports, and other organisations. After her marriage to John Pikett in
1959 Natalie lived in Parakai and Helensville and was a dedicated family member and
community worker. She followed the activities of her family and organisations including
the Presbyterian Church, PlayCentre, Plunket Mothers, Parakai Primary School, Cubs
and Scouts who benefited from Natalie's enthusiasm and talents including cooking, sewing and needlework, gardening and fundraising. Family history and genealogy involved
her many hours of research. For many years Natalie was clerk for the Borough Council
and Rodney District Council. Natalie and John retired to Red Beach and Silverdale.
Many heartfelt tributes were paid to Natalie in the funeral service at Red Beach.
PETER GARTH DYE (15 September 1932 – 31 January 2016) was a Kaukapakapa
resident all his childhood and working life, apart from attending Kings College in
Auckland. The Dye family were involved in business and farming over several
generations. Peter and his father Harry and uncle, Percy owned farm land running
drystock, but after Harry and Peter bought Percy's share, Peter was keen on dairy
farming, and that became his life's work. He was a very good practical farmer, and also
became very involved with farming politics, through the Livestock Improvement
Association where he reached the position of national chairman. This took him on trips
all round the world, and he worked hard to improve dairy cattle breeding.
Peter married Joan Gordon, and his best friend Ian Poland married Joan's twin sister,
Jean, (both weddings in 1958). Peter and Joan had two daughters and a son, and eight
grandchildren. Peter played rugby to representative level. He trained as a referee, and
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with Ian Poland coached the under 21s team at Helensville Rugby Club. About 1990
Peter was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Peter and Joan moved to live at
Whenuapai in 2002. After being a great supporter for Peter, sadly Joan predeceased him
in August 2015. Peter was buried in the family plot at Kaukapakapa church cemetery.
SUE HADWIN - Admin Officer at Museum 2011-2012
Sue and Mike Hadwin came from England to New Zealand in 1965, and settled in West
Auckland where they lived for 45 years and raised their family of four children. In 2010
they moved to Parakai. They joined the River Valley Baptist Church, in Parakai and
Sue had a part-time job as Administrator at the Church. Mike still plays an active role in
the church and is Chaplain at Parakai Primary School.
From 2011 to 2012 Sue held the part-time position as Admin Officer at the Museum.
She had a good range of computer skills, and contributed to the data collection, display
projects and newsletter and booklet production work at the Museum. Mike was an active member of the Historical Society as an attendant, and served on the committee. In
2015 Sue and Mike went on a four month trip to England to visit family and friends.
After their return in October, Sue was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer and she died
in January 2016. We extend our sympathy to Mike and the family in England, Glen
Eden, Parakai and Helensville, and welcome Mike back as a Museum volunteer.
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INTERESTING HISTORICAL INFORMATION EVENTS
The Annual Conference and AGM of the NZ History Federation will be held this
year in Auckland over the weekend of Friday 29 April to Sunday 1 May, and all
members of affiliated societies are able to attend. (Helensville is affiliated, and local
member Wynne HaySmith is the on the Executive.) Host societies for the weekend are
Avondale-Waterview and Mt Roskill (Puketapapa).
The conference opens with a welcome and informal gathering at Kinder House, Parnell
on Friday night. On Saturday Alberton House in Mt Albert will be the venue for the
AGM, lunch and some interesting talks including news about Hertiage New Zeland, the
Roskill People’s Project, and proposed changes to the Incorporated Societies Act, which
will affect many organisations (including our Society). There will be a dinner and film
on Saturday night, and on Sunday morning the opportunity to visit the new Ceramic Museum at New Lynn (Crown Lynn).
Anyone interested in attending any of these sessions could get the information from
Lynn at the office.
Auckland Regional Historical Day—this annual event is to be held on Saturday 27
August, and this year will be hosted by Helensville. This is a great opportunity to meet
members of other local societies, and to share ideas. It will be held in the Father Sakey
Centre, Kowhai Street, with a visit to the Helensville Museum, including the chance to
show our new display in the Schoolhouse (the historic timeline). Watch for more details
in our June Newsletter.
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OFFICERS OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PATRONS:
Doris Jenkins, Barbara Waller and Eric Perrett
ADMIN OFFICER:
Lynn Millar
COMMITTEE: 2015-2016
President /Accessions
Vice President/Financial
Minute Secretary/Publicity
Archives/Library
Family History/Tributes
“Past Perfect” catalogues
Heritage tours
Hospitality
Gardens/Accessions
Newsletter/Events
Media/Events
Accessions
Financial Committee
John Smith
Leigh Bosch
Judy Lloyd
Lesley Holt
Isla Willis
Leigh Bosch
Julie Colville
Rhonda Grace
Jean Davidson
Wynne HaySmith
Jennifer McCann
Janet Cridland
John Smith, Leigh Bosch
Wynne HaySmith, Lynn Millar
* * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * *
THANKS SO MUCH
We are always appreciative of the generosity of members and friends for their
contributions to the Museum and the Society. Memory being what it is, we sometimes
slip up on mentioning these donations. Please forgive us if this has happened to your
family.
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PLEASE REMEMBER
That we are in urgent need of more volunteers to help run the Museum operations,
including Roster Duty (Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday afternoons), Housekeeping,
and Open Days volunteers. If you can spare a couple of hours a month, or what ever
you can, we would welcome you with open arms (and some of Lynn's home baking on
Wednesday mornings; the usual workshop time)
It is that time of year again when subscriptions come due. Please see the enclosed
letter (or if email then a separate one to come) for details on your own subscriptions.
Don’t forget any new neighbours—get them to join.
We are also looking for more jam jars. If you have any in the recycling bin, please
bring them down to Lynn. We have had a run on jars lately and the cupboard is bare.
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Would you like to join the Society?
Please include your full name (s), postal address and phone number on the
back of the form below. Include any special interests you have and whether you
are willing to help as an attendant, a worker and/or committee member.
Post to the address below with your cheque, or make a payment to the
Society via Account number 38-9017-0078008-00 (include name and ‘subs’ and
send your details via email to [email protected])
As a member you will receive our quarterly newsletter, which will keep you
updated on news, projects and activities and gain free entry to the Museum
(except for special functions).
Cut out the form below and check that your address on the back is correct.
To pay electronically, see above
MEMBERSHIP : now due for the 2016-2017 year
If you receive the newsletter by email and you are not sure if you
have paid, check with the office by email. If you now have email please
include it so that we can send the newsletter that way. This helps to
reduce our costs and enables more projects to undertaken.
Helensville & District Historical Society Inc
Box 133,
Helensville 0840
Subscription
Single :$15 or Family $20
Corporate rate $30 (circle one)
Research Donation $…………
Garden Donation $..........
Other $...........
Name________________________________________________
Email________________________________________________
Alterations /additions to address
_____________________________________________________
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President
Vice President
Secretary
Admin Officer
John Smith
Leigh Bosch
Judy Lloyd
Lynn Millar
420 8428
420 6146
420 5276
420 7881
Our Mission Statement
To promote, understand & preserve the history & heritage of the
District & its intrinsic values. Our past is our future.
Helensville & District Historical Society Inc
and Helensville Museum
P O Box 133, Helensville 0840
Ph (09) 420 7881
www.helensvillemuseum.org.nz
[email protected]
Copyright: publication of any part of this newsletter may not be made without
prior consent of the Helensville and District Historical Society Inc.
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