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Fiona Campbell-Walter

Born Auckland, 25 Jun 1932

5 facts1 source

Living person. The family sees only the name, dates and photo; everything else stays private unless they choose to share it.

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 25 Jun 1932

    Born in Auckland

  2. 7 Jun 1958

    A daughter is born

Family

See the tree

Partner

Children · 1

During her lifetime

She has lived through 10 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Auckland.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1930s · Fiona is born in Auckland

In the news1931

Major Hawke's Bay Earthquake Strikes

New Zealand's worst recorded earthquake of the 20th century struck Hawke's Bay, killing 256 people and leveling the towns of Napier and Hastings.

Getting around

Slow travel in early family cars

In the late 1920s, families travelling by car often only managed twenty-five miles a day, frequently stopping to camp due to overheating engines and unsealed, dusty roads.

At the table

Meat-heavy diets and preserving winter eggs

Families commonly ate meat three times a day, often featuring fatty cuts, bacon, eggs, or stews, and frequently cooked with animal dripping. To manage egg shortages in winter, some families preserved eggs by applying a sealant called Ovaline to the shells.

The Second World War. The deadliest war in history, from 1939 to 1945: some 70 million people died. Brazil sent 25,000 soldiers to fight in Italy.Around the world · 1939–1945

The Second World War. The deadliest war in history, from 1939 to 1945: some 70 million people died. Brazil sent 25,000 soldiers to fight in Italy.

Chief Photographer's Mate (CPHoM) Robert F. Sargent · public domain

What people wore

Women’s “going to town” meant formal dress

For the regular weekly trip to town, people dressed quite formally: women wore suits (called ‘costumes’) or full-length coats, with hats and gloves, and often a fox fur. Shopping in town also had set hours, with Friday evening open until 9 p.m. (and Saturday mornings until 1945).

Music

Dance halls used schottische and waltz

At formal balls and country dances, New Zealanders danced set partner dances like the schottische, maxina and waltz. The music was provided by dance bands of about four to eight musicians playing instruments such as piano, violin and cornet.

Daily life

Cooking on coal and wood ranges

Cooking was often done on coal or wood-burning ranges, which also heated water for the household. While gas and electric stoves gained popularity in towns during this period, many rural homes relied on these iron stoves until well into the 1950s.