A tribute to those who chose Norfolk Island as their home

A tribute to those who chose Norfolk Island as their home - 

In this week’s episode I would like to pay tribute to the women and men who chose Norfolk Island as their home. They often married islanders of Pitcairn descent, had families and it is through their dedication, love, and countless contributions, that these women and men have helped shape the Norfolk Island we cherish today.

For those who made the decision to move to Norfolk Island, this meant saying goodbye to their families, friends, and everything familiar to uncertainty about what awaited them.

The island's isolation, rugged beauty, and unique way of life of the community required significant adjustment.

Starting life here, meant quickly learning island ways, adapting to local traditions, cuisine, and the distinctive Norf’k language, whilst also blending their own customs into island life. 

These women and men who embraced and protected our heritage, became essential guardians of island traditions, as they brought up their families and contributed to enriching over the years our community's cultural tapestry.

An article entitled ‘The Practical Pioneers - women who’ve made Norfolk Island their life and livelihood’ was published in the Woman’s Day Magazine in October 1978.

A quote:

Norfolk Island women live their lives as fully as their counterparts in major world cities.
‘Every day is different’ says Jean Mitchell. “In many ways it is a richer life because one is constantly in touch with nature’.

>>>> Have a listen now to an interview with Kathy LeCren as hosted by Bazza in New Zealand.

>>>>Within her broadcasting role, Kathy also hosted a weekly program entitled Norfolk Notes. This is a snippet of one epsiode ~

_____________

As we honour the women and men who chose Norfolk Island as their home, we recognize that our community today stands as their greatest legacy. Their courage, adaptability, and love have shaped not just their own families but contributed to the character of our entire island.

>>>>Have a listen now to the song entitled ‘Maimitti’ as composed and sung by islander and singer songwriter, Eileen Snell.

Thanks so much for joining me this week, as we share Norfolk Island’s history, heritage, customs, personal narratives and tributes to many of the people, past and present who have contributed and are contributing to our vibrant community.

We look forward to welcoming you here soon!

Sponsored by Baunti Tours www.bauntitours.com

> Ref: 'Podcast' to receive a 10% discount.

Transcript

A tribute to the women and men who chose Norfolk Island as their home - 

 Welcome to Episode 19 of the Untold Norfolk Island travel podcast series.

My name is Jodie Williams and as a Norfolk Islander & Churchill Fellow, I am your ‘on island’ podcast host.

>>> Audio: You have just heard a snippet of the hymn ‘How Great Thou Art’ as sung by Susan Pedel and ‘All Ucklun’.

In this week’s episode I would like to pay tribute to the women and men who chose Norfolk Island as their home. They often married islanders of Pitcairn descent, had families and it is through their dedication, love, and countless contributions, that these women and men have helped shape the Norfolk Island we cherish today. 

For those who made the decision to move to Norfolk Island, this meant saying goodbye to their families, friends, and everything familiar to uncertainty about what awaited them.

The island's isolation, rugged beauty, and unique way of life of the community required significant adjustment. 

Starting life here, meant quickly learning island ways, adapting to local traditions, cuisine, and the distinctive Norf’k language, whilst also blending their own customs into island life. 

These women and men who embraced and protected our heritage, became essential guardians of island traditions, as they brought up their families and contributed to enriching over the years our community's cultural tapestry.

An article entitled ‘The Practical Pioneers - women who’ve made Norfolk Island their life and livelihood’ was published in the woman’s Day Magazine in October 1978.

It reads:

‘Many of the women who live on Norfolk Island today are descendants of the original Bounty mutineers and the Tahitian women they took to Pitcairn Island. This makes for a most unusual blend of European and Polynesian cultures. 
Since 1856, when the Pitcairn community was resettled on Norfolk Island, there has been a sprinkling of settlers who have brought new skills and a touch of worldliness to their new home. 

Some of the older women of Pitcairn descent have difficulty in maintaining their old ways against the pressures of the consumer society. On the whole these women are engage in the kind of work which harks back to their Polynesian heritage. They attend to household affairs and cook delicious meals. They also love to work in their gardens, mind children and grandchildren and visit friends and tourists.

The islanders who have paying jobs have generally been drawn into occupations which tie in with their hospitable natures. Val Nobbs, now 85, is the mistress of ‘Moira’ a beautiful island home, while Jean Mitchell returned to Norfolk from Melbourne to run ‘Aunt Em’s’. 

Marie Bailey, another enterprising islander, runs historic tours of the old convict buildings and other landmarks. Miss Fay Bataille, a teacher at the Norfolk Island Central School is responsible for passing on many of the island’s traditions.

Amy Bathie runs De Chesne’s store. Market gardeners and local people bring vegetables, eggs, guava jelly, fruits, plants, wood carvings and other produce for her to sell. She also sells back issues of stamps for the many stamp collectors on the island. Amy’s store is one of the busiest places on the island a popular meeting place. 

Tim Lloyd is co-owner and publisher of the weekly newspaper, The Norfolk Islander. Tim and her husband Tom have been putting out their paper for about 12 years.

Gwen Stanton, a New Zealander who has lived on Norfolk for more than 20 years is a gardening expert. She writes a monthly column for gardeners and until recently ran the local florist shop. Also retired from business is Isobelle Borrett, who ran Norfolk’s only art gallery. 

Spinning and weaving the local wool is a cottage industry in its infancy on Norfolk. A group of women meet regularly to perfect their techniques under the guidance of Alice Wentworth. Alice loves weaving and she has a shop which sells local as well as imported hand-woven items.

Maggie Moore is another who is interested in crafts. Originally from Colorado where she was a ski patroller at the resort areas in Aspen, Maggie is now a wood worker creating beautiful bowls, dishes and candle sticks. 

Former New Zealander, Kathy LeCren married an islander and is now broadcasting officer for the local radio station. She is responsible for all program scheduling, budget control and further planning for the station.

Norfolk Island women live their lives as fully as their counterparts in major world cities.
‘Every day is different’ says Jean Mitchell. “In many ways it is a richer life because one is constantly in touch with nature’.

>>>Have a listen now to an interview with Kathy LeCren as hosted by Bazza in New Zealand.


>>>Within her broadcasting role, Kathy also hosted a weekly program entitled Norfolk Notes. This is a snippet of one episode ~

As we honor the women and men who chose Norfolk Island as their home, we recognize that our community today stands as their greatest legacy. Their courage, adaptability, and love have shaped not just their own families but contributed to the character of our entire island.

>>>Have a listen now to the song entitled ‘Maimitti’ as composed and sung by islander and singer songwriter, Eileen Snell.

Thanks so much for joining me this week, as we share Norfolk Island’s history, heritage, customs, personal narratives and tributes to many of the people, past and present who have contributed and are contributing to our vibrant community.

We look forward to welcoming you here soon!