Branch Lines 80 NZSG Southland Page 1

BRANCH LINES

Newsletter of the Southland Branch New Zealand Society of Genealogists

Issue No. 80 – September 2019

50th Anniversary Issue Special (Compiled by Roger Washbourn.)

SOUTHLAND BRANCH 1969~2019 (and still going)

Southland Branch celebrated its 50th Anniversary on Friday 9 August 2019 with a dinner at the Ascot Park Hotel in Invercargill. It was attended by nearly 50 past and present members. The dinner was held at the conclusion of Family History Week which saw the branch and library staff in a series of 5 lunch hour seminars completed in the Invercargill Public Library. The branch was the 5th to be approved as an affiliate branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists in 1969, and replaced the Invercargill Genealogists Club which had started in March of that year. The first meeting of the Southland Branch was held on 19 November 1969, at which the Club was closed and the Southland Branch of NZSG was then formally established. (So it could be argued that we were ahead of ourselves in celebrating in August when, in the strictest sense, the 50 years wasn’t due until November 2019. However there was a formal presence of genealogy in Invercargill from March 1969, thanks to the Invercargill Genealogy Club - so the decision was taken to split the March-November difference; and anyway the August date coincided nicely with the local observance of Family History Week. November is not far away, and I’m sure the branch will still be operating at that time.)

General view of the anniversary dinner – the Introduction

In his introduction, Convenor Roger Washbourn summarised progress made during the 50 years, identifying activities under the two components of the branch’s mission - promoting family history, and preservation of

About Branch Lines

Branch Lines is a periodic newsletter, issued for the members of the Southland Branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists.

The views expressed are those of the contributors, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Branch of the Society. It is intended to be produced bi- monthly to keep you up to date with events. Wendy Shaw is currently filling the position of Editor.

In this Issue

Introduction . . . . . . 1 List of Attendees . . . . 2 The advertisement of 1969 2 Speakers at the Dinner . . 3 Around the Tables . . . 3 Around the Tables (2) . . .4 Around the Tables (3) . . .5 Awards . . . . . . . .5 Website information . . . .6 From the Archives . . . .6 From the Archives (2) . . 7 Contacts . . . . . . . 9 Directory . . . . . . . 9

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records having genealogical or historical value. Chief amongst the highlights included the indexing of 147 schools’ records in Southland and parts of Otago, and transcription of burial records and headstones of 50 cemeteries - now all added to the Society’s Kiwi Index. The branch had also hosted the Society’s AGM and Conference in 1996, which was notable for the charter of a train, ex Auckland, which made its way south, picking up members en route to Invercargill, then reversing the procedure after the conference had finished. Tribute was paid to office bearers, ordinary members, and notably 3 Life Members of the branch (Margaret Sutherland, Mary Stuart and Mary Murray) for their collective efforts in supporting the branch, holding office and standing as committee members over most of the 50 years of its life. Mary Shadbolt (Chair of the NZSG Board of Directors) addressed the meeting, congratulating the branch on reaching this milestone. She also commented on strategic directions the Board was taking in order to strengthen the future of the Society. Three Branch Service Awards were made to John MacManus, Wendy Shaw, and Roger Washbourn. The guest speaker was Michael Fallow (Features Editor with the Southland Times), who although not a genealogist, gave a light-hearted ramble which broached the philosophy of knowledge (what you know/don’t know) applicable to many endeavours. There was a cake-cutting shared by the branch’s second Convenor from 1971 (Margaret Sutherland) and the current Convenor (Roger Washbourn), and Alan Tunnicliffe from Christchurch (and an early member in the 1970’s) proposed a toast to past and present members. Mary Stuart closed the formal part of the evening by commentating on a slideshow series of pictures from the 50 years of operation.

List of those who attended the Anniversary Dinner

Gary and Gaynor Aicken, Lillias Dawson, Michael Fallow (guest speaker),

Glenys and Ian Findlay, Jocelyn Graham, Helen Hall, Gaynor Harris, Carole

and George Henderson, Ian and Nancy Joll, Evan and Pam Jones, Lindsay

Jukes (Nelson), Barbara Kerr (Queenstown), Geoffrey Ladbrook, Janet and

John MacManus, Mary Murray, Norma O’Neill, Elizabeth Pagan, Isabell

Paskell, Norma Robinson, David and Yvonne Service, Mary Shadbolt (NZSG

Chair; guest speaker), Noeline Shaw, Ian and Wendy Shaw, Wendy Smith, Colin and Lorraine

Stevens, David and Mary Stuart, Margaret and Richard Sutherland, Alex Tate (Cromwell), Alan

Tunnicliffe (Christchurch), Patricia Turnbull, Rikki Turner, Lindsay and Shirley Walker (Waikaia),

Roger and Marie Washbourn, and Neil and Sylvia Wyeth.

Apologies were received from Don Auckram (Christchurch), Margaret Bailey, Linda Clinton, Eleanor

Easton, and Frances and Bob Stewart (Levin).

The Balclutha Branch apologised for their absence, but sent their best wishes for the evening.

This is the advertisement that started it all, from the

Southland Times - calling those interested to a meeting

on 19 November 1969 in the UFS Hall.

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Speakers at the Dinner

Mary Shadbolt (NZSG Chair) addresses the dinner. Michael Fallow (Southland Times) – guest speaker.

(Foreground: Roger Washbourn (MC)).

Around the Tables

Pictures by Wendy Shaw. (She didn’t catch everyone, but found most of you.)

Helen Hall; Norma O’Neill; Wendy Smith; Pam Jones. Rikki Turner; Ian Findlay; Gaynor Harris; Jocelyn Graham; Mary Murray

Gary Aicken and David Stuart. Alan Tunnicliffe; Richard Sutherland; Margaret Sutherland; Janet MacManus

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Around the Tables Pictures taken by Wendy Shaw. The lighting wasn’t the best for photography, but Wendy did well.

Gaynor Harris; Glenys Findlay; Sylvia Wyeth. Pat Turnbull; Yvonne Service; Alex Tate (standing); David Service; Gaynor Aicken.

Lilias Dawson; Elizabeth Pagan; Isabell Paskell; Marie Norma Robinson; George Henderson, Carole Henderson; Washbourn. Jocelyn Graham

Shirley and Lindsay Walker; Lorraine and Colin Stevens. Guests Michael Fallow and Mary Shadbolt

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Around the Tables

John MacManus; Geoffrey Ladbrook; Shirley Walker. Rikki Turner; Mary Murray; Lillias Dawson

Awards

John MacManus - Branch Service Award. Wendy Shaw - Branch Service Award.

Panorama during the dinner first course.

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Website Information

The branch website can be accessed via this link: http://www.nzsgsouthland.com in your browser. The opening page is shown at left. It has an access selection panel of Contents down the left-hand side. In the ‘Newsletters & Archives’ page there are a number of historical items of interest which are relevant to this current 50th anniversary.

The list includes the following, all of which can be downloaded (they are in PDF format) and printed.

Newsletters from February 2002 to the present day. Nos. 43 and 44 issues of Branch Lines report on activities around the branch’s 40th anniversary in 2009.

In the ‘Miscellaneous Archives’ section you will find ~

o A brief history of the Southland Branch.

o Notes on the 3 ladies who have been given Life Membership of the branch – Margaret Sutherland, Mary Stuart and Mary Murray.

o A list of office bearers of the branch since its inception in 1969.

o Members who have served on branch committees since 1969.

o Awards made (both local and national) to members over the years. (You might be surprised to learn of some of them.)

o Office holders and a brief history of the Genealogical Computing Group.

From the Archives ~ A copy of the page heading from the minutes of the inaugural meeting of the Invercargill Genealogists Club - 21 May 1969. (The complete set of these minutes are preserved.)

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From the Archives (2) ~ A copy of the page heading from the minutes of the inaugural meeting of the Southland Branch of the NZ Society of Genealogists – 19 November 1969. The minutes of these early meetings are preserved in thearchives.

The inaugural meeting of the Southland Branch of the NZ Society of Genealogists (on 19 November 1969).

There were 46 people present. A transcript of that first meeting follows.

Inaugural Meeting of Southland Branch of N.Z. Society of Genealogists

Held in UFS Hall, Room 4, 8.30pm

19th November 1969

Mrs Thompson was Chairwoman, as Past President of the former Genealogy Club and

convenor of the meeting, opened the first meeting of the Southland Branch. She then called for

nominations for President.

President: Mrs Gael Thompson

Moved Miss McDonald/Mrs Melhop

Nominations closed.

Vice-President Mr J Swaney

Moved Mrs Kirckbright/Mrs Bryce

Nominations closed.

Sec/Treasurer Mrs Doreen Robins

Moved Mrs Radka/Mrs Dawson

Nominations closed.

Committee Mrs Mary Miller Mrs Bryce/Mrs Whitehead

Mrs Ritakanewhai Mrs Maere/Mr Swaney

Mr Kevin Wilkinson

Mrs Ellen Whitehead Mrs Bryce/Mrs Taumata

Nominations closed.

Hon. Auditor Mr Larry Jenkins Mr Dawson/Mr Wilkinson.

General Business:

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Finance: Moved that $3 sub be paid to cover $1 NZ Society at Auckland and $2 for

Invercargill general expenses.

Mrs B. Taumata/Mr K Wilkinson.

Agreed that this is to be reviewed in May.

Moved Bank and cheque book account be opened at Southland Savings Bank and that cheques

are to be co-signed by any 2 of the following: Pres., Vice Pres, Sec.

Mr Dawson/Mrs Cournane

Agreed that meetings are to be held 3rd Wednesday in month.

Speaker: Mrs Thompson spoke on overseas research and Mr Cormack on Maori research.

This was found most enjoyable and helpful.

On Mr Swaney’s suggestion, it was moved that an informal meeting be held in December to

enable everyone to mix freely and meet other members and families.

Mrs Wilkinson/B. Taumata

This is to be held in Mr Swaney’s woolshed at Wallacetown.

Supper plate and own refreshments.

Mrs Bryce/Mrs Cournane.

Meeting closed 9-15.

Confirmed: E. Whitehead (signature)

Date: 17.2.71

Two from the 50th Dinner ~

The Anniversary Cake. (It was a large cake, not all eaten on the night; finished at a branch meeting on Branch Service Award - Roger Washbourn. Wednesday 21 August.)

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Contacts

Branch Committee Contacts Genealogical Computing Group Convenor Roger Washbourn

Treasurer John MacManus

Secretary Wendy Shaw

Librarian (vacant)

Committee Mary Stuart

Pam Jones

Mary Murray

Isabell Paskell

Yvonne Service

Newsletter Editor

Wendy Shaw

213-0968

217-4200

027-4315714

217-4560

213-1089

217-6181

216-9863

213-0254

027-4315714

Convenor Wendy Shaw

Secretary-Treasurer -

Wendy Shaw

Committee - members.

027-

431-5714

Directory

Southland Branch,

NZ Society of Genealogists Inc.

Postal address: P.O. Box 1329, Invercargill 9840.

E-mail: Southland@genealogy.org.nz

Meetings

Third Wednesday of each month February - November

Meeting Room, Invercargill City Library at 7 p.m.

[Research facilities from 6 p.m.]

Resources Room open: Wednesdays, 11am ~ 1pm.

~

Branch website ~ http://www.nzsgsouthland.com/

NZSG website ~http://www.genealogy.org.nz/

Genealogical Computing Group website ~

http://www.gencom.org.nz/