Northern visitors learn more about southern heritage

Links between north and south were forged afresh recently, when a group from Whangarei visited the Catlins on a family history tour.

Pictured (top photo, from left) are visitors Danny O’Reilly, Ian Roberts, Catlins historian and guide Don Jenks, Greg and Gigi Gwyn, and Harold Gwyn. Bottom photo: Pictured at their Waikoata sawmill circa 1910 are (from left) Charles, Ted (4), John, and Tom Bates; Charles Nelson, and Tom Bates jun.

The party of 12 Gwyn and Bates family members had learned of strong ancestral links to late 19th and early 20th century sawmilling in the Catlins during a centennial reunion in Northland last summer, and earlier this month decided to investigate further.

Distant cousin and Balclutha resident Doreen Edwards had acted as local liaison during the threeday visit, which took in former sawmilling sites at Houipapa, Waikoata, Tautuku, and Owaka and Toitu, Dunedin, museums.

Mrs Edwards said all members of the party had been ‘‘ecstatic’’ to learn more about their past first hand.

‘‘Although there are only traces of dams and foundations left in place, we were privileged to be guided by some amazing local historians including Trish Wilson and Don Jenks, who were mines of detailed information. It was fascinating.’’

The Gwyn and Bates southern sawmilling enterprises had thrived until World War 1 intervened, leading the family to seek fresh opportunities in Northland in 1917, Mrs Edwards said.

‘‘Even though little now remains apart from photographs, local stories still abound about the vision and magnitude of the enterprise. The memories live on.’’