5
by Peggy Butterfield
Historical Happenings
August 2017
With the very successful “Community Fridge” operating at St Faiths
Church, we note this is not a new thing.
THE HOUSE OF ACTION (From The Lost Christchurch Site)
In 1932 -1933 a large two storey dwelling at 33 George Street (Now Oram Ave) was
used as a feeding station for the poor children of New Brighton..
Nearly 100 meals were served each day for children suffering from malnutrition.
It was run by Mona Tracy (1892 -1959) a journalist,
poet and short story writer.
Lord Bledisloe, the Governor-General, visited because
he had heard such wonderful things about the work
being done there.
During the 1930s she was secretary of a
Christchurch refugee committee, which helped
professional people to escape the threat of fascism in
Europe. She earned the Coronation Medal for her
services to the community in 1937 by helping to
establish a soup kitchen near her New Brighton home
for those affected by the depression.
From 1938 to 1948 she was the first woman to
serve on the Arthur's Pass National Park Board.
She took leave from these community activities
in 1942 when her own sense of adventure prompted
her to reduce her age by seven years and join her
daughter in the New Zealand Women's Auxiliary Air
Force at Wigram. She attained the rank of corporal,
while her husband became officer in charge of fortress area for the Home Guard at
Lyttelton Harbour.
After the war the family moved to Governors Bay, where Mona served as
president of the local branch of the Women's Division Federated Farmers of New
Zealand in 1949–50. Rheumatoid arthritis marred her later years and necessitated a
return to Christchurch city, where she died on 22 February 1959. She was buried at
Ruru Lawn Cemetery, Linwood, and her brother delivered an oration in Maori over her
grave.
MONDAY MOVIES at the Museum 1.30pm every Monday.
Come early for a cuppa and a chat. $2.00 donation
AUGUST MOVIES
7 th
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2011, Judi Dench Maggie Smith Drama Comedy 2h 4m
14 th Here Comes the Waves 1944 Comedy, Musical, 1h40m
21 The Plank 1967 Eric Sykes Comedy 45mins
Play up the Band 1935 Stanley Holloway Comedy 1hr 11min
The Cruel Sea 1953 Jack Hawkins War Drama 2hrs 6 min
st
28 th
Bing Crosby Betty Hutton