Steve Tolley Part 2, books and music - Manawatu Conversations
- Description
Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 2nd September 2025. Part 2 of 3. Steve Tolley and his wife Robyn bonded over books and music, later moving to rural Pohangina. Steve left teaching due to disinterest in planning, despite loving classroom interaction. While job-hunting, he was offered the chance to buy Cambridge Bookshop, which he and Robyn did. The shop thrived, especially after adding second-hand records and music posters. They moved to a larger location, but rising costs and economic shifts hurt business. After 18 years, they sold the shop, clearing debts but with little leftover. Robyn became a psychiatric nurse, and Steve returned to relief teaching, which he enjoyed. He later became a book rep for Scholastic New Zealand, covering a wide territory from Levin to Gisborne. Inspired by their location at Horseshoe Bend, they opened a café using relocated school buildings. The café struggled in winter until Steve began hosting music gigs featuring local and national bands. Word spread, and the venue became a major Manawatū music hub, attracting even international acts. What began as a way to survive turned into a celebrated, vibrant community success.
Identification
- Object type
- Audio
- Date
- September 2, 2025