Betsy Bruere Part 1, life in Australia and New Zealand - Manawatu Conversations

Object type

Audio

Description: Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 16th September 2025. Part 1 of 2. Born in Sydney but lived in a small town about 250km from Sydney then lived in Parkes. Attended secondary school in Sydney. Her brother joined the Royal Australian Navy and was involved in World War 1 as a signaler in the Pacific Islands. He returned home about the time their mother died. Betsy passed matriculation (university entrance) exams at school. Went nursing. Training carried out in the hospital and lived there too. Married Neil. He was a veterinarian. They came to New Zealand and had a veterinary practice on the West Coast in 1951. He was based in Hokitika working for a veterinary club which paid a salary and provided a house. There was a lot of work with returned servicemen who were setting up farms. After three years they shifted to North Canterbury and set up their own private practice. Neil moved to the new veterinary faculty at Massey University. They moved to Scotland so Neil could finish his PhD.