Four Thom sisters make flying visit to Dannevirke

A chance encounter with long-time friends Rhetta and Maurice Millar has created a reunion of sorts for four Thom Sisters, residents of Dannevirke in the 1950-60s where they grew up.

They were the daughters of Gilbert and Mary Thom. Gilbert was town clerk for the Dannevirke Borough Council from 1946 to 1963.

He played a major role in the activities of the council and town, meeting the Queen in 1953 and organising the 75th Jubilee of the town.

He also wrote the history of the Dannevirke Borough Council.

Mary was heavily involved in the Dannevirke Dramatic Society and her daughters developed a deep passion for theatre, each attending Miss Irvine’s Dance School.

They were forever on the stage in the Town Hall and elsewhere, according to Heather. This included dance recitals such as The Nutcracker in which Maurice Millar was MC, Queen Carnivals, A&P Show concerts and garden parties.

They took part in school productions at North School and the Gilbert and Sullivan operas put on by Dannevirke High School and say they thoroughly enjoyed growing up in Dannevirke.

All became teachers.

They were in Dannevirke on April 26 to see the unveiling of their parents’ new headstone and to honour what would have been their dad’s 105th birthday on April 27.

Jennifer had travelled the furthest, from British Columbia in Canada, Heather from Auckland, Mary Elizabeth and Diana from Whanganui.

They touched base with a lot of old friends and say they are looking forward to returning again.

WAIRARAPA BUSH PREMIERS Saturday 19th May Eketahuna v Masterton Red Star at Eketahuna - 2:35pm

WAIRARAPA BUSH SENIOR RESERVES Eketahuna v Pioneer at Eketahuna - 1pm Puketoi v East Coast at Whareama - 1pm

MANAWATU SENIOR 2NDS Dannevirke v Freyberg at Dannevirke Rugby Park - 1pm Bush away to Massey Rams at Massey 8 - 1pm

MANAWATU SENIOR 3RDS

Bush away to Feilding at Johnston 2 - 2:45pm