Unsung pioneer remembered through new book

A Nelson photographer has written a book after uncovering the story of her predecessor – a Nelson pioneer photographer.

Rosalina-Ludmila McCarthy became interested in the life of RosalineMargaret Frank – better know as Rose Frank – who lived from 1864 to 1954.

Frank was Nelson’s first female professional photographer and, seeing herself as Nelson’s second female professional photographer, McCarthy felt a connection with Frank.

Frank died and was buried in obscurity.

Sextant Wayne Wastney is said to have uttered the words ‘‘Her last resting place is similar to a pauper’s grave. Unmarked, uncared for, and forgotten by most’’ over Frank’s thistle covered gravesite.

When McCarthy found that out she says the words ‘‘haunted’’ her and led her on her voyage of discovery determined that this pioneer photographer would not be forgotten.

Helped by the Nelson Chamber of Commerce, on 28 September 1991 a headstone was erected and unveiled for Frank by chamber president Ray Wilson and blessed by Monsignor Charles Cooper in the presence of Nelson Mayor Peter Malone and other guests.

McCarthy’s attention also turned to friends and relatives of Frank who were still living and she recorded their oral testimonies.

When she discovered Frank’s connection to William Tyree, who owned a photographic studio in Trafalgar Street in the 1890s, McCarthy said her mission to discover all she could of Frank’s life, took on a new dimension.

Tyree had given Frank a Power of Attorney to manage his business and personal interests – which turned out to be the Tyree Photographic Collection, now held at the Nelson Provincial Museum which was awarded UNESCO Heritage Status in 2017, McCarthy says.

What started out as a biography of Rosaline-Margaret Frank, now had to include William Tyree and became a more complex task as a joint biography, McCarthy says.

She has now written Belated Accolades, her tribute to Frank, who she sees as an unsung heroine and ‘‘truly remarkable.’’

The book also uncovered some of the early days of photography in New Zealand and the birth of the Acetylene Gas Industry in Australasia.