More Info →Rosalie Hunter Part 2, Life on the family farm - Manawatu Conversations

Description: Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 11th February 2025. Part 2 of 3. It was possible to go to a country dance every week but not now. Ladies preparing supper looked after babies while other mothers danced. Suppers with homemade food were marvellous – cream sponges, pikelets, shortbread, brandy snaps. Country dances faded out and cabarets became common. Dresses used to have full skirts some with multi-layer petticoats. Mothers made dresses. Rosalie used to spin wool and knit it. It was a very busy rural life. She talks about feeding shearers and other contractors. Meat for meals was mostly grown on the farm – lamb. mutton, rabbits, poultry. Dad went fishing. Mother made brawn. No freezers. Meat was kept in a large tank which was cooled by water. Sharing and companionship was common in the rural communities. Rural Women’s Institute. Until Rosalie was 12 the family didn’t have a car and father used to bike 11 miles to town. Mailman delivered bread and groceries.