This article from The Marlborough Express published in January 1995 recalls life in our home, when part of it was used as the local Anakiwa Primary School between 1926 and 1936. Former pupil Mick Murphy recollects stories and antics of his 8 years at the school including the beachfront playground, nature study days up the Anakiwa Valley, witnessing Kingsford Smith flying overhead in his 3-engined monoplane Southern Cross, rugby matches with Linkwater School, to the planting of the black poplar trees in 1928 on the foreshore. He also tells of the tough life they led on their dairy farm including having to row the dinghy laden with milk cans over to the cheese factory at The Grove.
Although this was life here in Anakiwa almost a century ago, and the 3 hour journey with the horse & cart to the end of the road, now only takes 5 minutes by car, it’s nice to learn that some things haven’t changed – that children still enjoy the beach as a playground, the creek next to the house is still running, families are still dairy farming, the Cheese Factory building is being renovated and along side our home, one of black poplars is still standing here today.
