‘Those Were The Days’ is a quarterly newsletter of the Upper Clutha History Society

‘Those Were The Days’ is compiled by Ken Allan and a team of dedicated volunteers.

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  • Captain Jim Weavers standing in front of a house

    Vol 34 Those Were The Days

    Winter 2026

    Crossing the Hāwea River - the Bridges, Annual General Meeting, Annual Subscriptions, Volunteer Activities, 100 Years Ago, the “New” Phenomenon (1985) – Freedom Camping? Jim Weaver’s Poem, Who are we?

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  • A black and white photo of the McPherson family outdoors in a wooded area. An older man with a beard and a hat is sitting on the ground next to three young girls in dresses, with one girl being held by a woman standing behind them.

    Vol 33 Those Were The Days

    Autumn 2026

    David Simmers - a Treasured Member, Dennis Pezaro - Memorial Service & Gathering, John Lee - Memorial Service, the MacPhersons of Mt Aspiring, the McLarens of Motatapu, 100 Years Ago, Captain Hedditch and his Family, New Photos, Who are we?

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  • Black and white photo of a large, two-story house with a front porch, balcony, and multiple chimneys. There are three people standing on the porch and an old-fashioned car parked in front, with a wrought iron fence and trees in the background.

    Vol 32 Those Were The Days

    Summer 2025

    Seasons Greetings, Jo’s notes, Masonic Lodge grant, the winner of the Upper Clutha History Society History Prize at Mount Aspiring College, Audio Stories Launch Celebration, 100 Years Ago, The New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition, The Wharfe story continues, Dr Dennis Pezaro, the Sargood Family of Wānaka Station, New Photos, Enquiries, research and photos, Who are we?

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  • A group of people standing outside the first post office in Pembroke, a small wooden building with a horse nearby, with mountains in the background.

    Vol 31 Those Were The Days

    Spring 2025

    Ardmore Street Series continued with Early History of the South Side and the Brownston St junction, Masonic Lodge Grant, La Franchi Family Query, 100 Years Ago, Our publications, Photos, Who are we?

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  • A black and white photo of historic Cardrona, with trees, and a dirt road, with the Crown Range in the background.

    Vol 30 Those Were The Days

    Winter 2025

    100 Years Ago in Newspapers, Money, Money, Money! - A History of Banking in the Upper Clutha, The Great Sheep Court Case, St Ninians Church is Sold, Our New Website, Annual General Meeting - 7th May 2025, Financial Members Annual Subscriptions, Jo’s Notes, Enquriries, research and photos, Who are we?

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  • Group of seven people standing outdoors in front of a plaque about the Wanaka Hotel on Ardmore Street.

    Vol 29 Those Were The Days

    Autumn 2025

    Wānaka History Launch, Our First Plaques, John & Mary Ann Faulks - Their legacy, Been to the movies 90 years ago?, A one of a kind wedding gift, Adrmore Street - before and after, New photos, Subscriptions are not due yet!, 100 years ago, Jo’s notes, Enquiries, research and photos, Our publications, Photos, We are we?

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  • Historical proclamation document announcing the change of the locality name from Pembroke to Wanaka, New Zealand, dated 28th February 1940, signed by W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs.

    Vol 28 Those Were The Days

    Summer 2024

    Seasons Greetings, Change of Name and Constitution, Pembroke or Wānaka – Just So You Know It Is Official!, Not Only Farmers Hated Rabbits!, Robert McDougall 1829-1915, The Great Irish Myth, An Old Photo, How To Build A Dwelling In 1858-9, 100 Years Ago, A Thank You to Rev. Catherine Little, Jo’s Notes, Hot Off the Press – A New Logo.

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  • Lake Wanaka with a yellow tree on the shore, mountains in the background, and a clear blue sky. Looking toward Mount Roy.

    Vol 27 Those Were The Days

    Spring 2024

    John Roy – Pastoralist, Surveyor, Road Engineer and Maybe Just Another Land Speculator, Important Reminder to all Financial Members, 100 Years Ago, Message from President Ed, Kings Birthday Honours 2024, On Old Photo – the Kazoo Band, Recording Editors Wanted,  What is It?, Jo’s Notes.

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  • Black and white portrait of a bearded man sitting on a chair, holding a walking cane, with a desk and books behind him.

    Vol 26 Those Were The Days

    Winter June 2024

    Life Membership to Margaret and Ken Thomlinson, Robert Wilkin – Settler or Land Speculator?,  100 Years Ago, Ardmore Street Continued, Annual General Meeting, Old Photos, Cardrona Heritage Trust, Jo’s Notes.

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  • A detailed map showing numbered plots, roads, a school, a river, and various measurements.

    Vol 25 Those Were The Days

    Autumn 2024

    Editorial – Queensberry Part 2 – Robert Kidd, Sam Downes, Francis and Elizabeth Woodhouse, Queensberry School; Short of Cash – Make Your Own; Albert LaFranchi and His World War One Wristwatch; Ardmore Street – Robert McDougall Snr; AGM; Jo’s Notes.

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  • A black and white photo of Puzzling World's 3D maze. There are open fields and mountains in the background, and a large tree is visible in the upper left corner.

    Vol 24 Those Were The Days

    Summer 2023

    Seasons Greetings, UCHRS History Prize, World Famous in Wanaka – Puzzling World, The Queensberry Inn, Ardmore Street Continued – From Horses to Motors, Jo’s Update

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  • Workers installing bricks along a sidewalk for the Millennium Walkway showing construction barriers and equipment, and a grassy area with trees and mountains in the background.

    Vol 23 Those Were The Days

    Spring 2023

    Te Ara Maumahara – Memory Path, A Short History of the Post Office in Wānaka, The Ardmore Street Willow Tree, The “Smithy”, Random Photos, Jo’s Update

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  • A detailed black and white map of Wanaka township showing street layouts, property lots with numbers, topographical lines indicating elevation, and roads connecting the area.

    Vol 22 Those Were The Days

    Winter 2023

    Annual Subscriptions, Plod’s Patch – Policing Arrives in Pembroke, Oral History Group, A Railway Across the Haast Pass? , Annual General Meeting, Retiring Committee Members, Jo’s Update, Where Did They Meet and Dance?, Help Needed to Identify a Building, Our Creek by Jenny Moss

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  • Black and white photo of Wānaka's original library. It is a small, old wooden building labeled 'Public Library,' with a sign on the door indicating its hours and a window on the side.

    Vol 21 Those Were The Days

    Autumn 2023

    Pembroke’s Public Library – Where and When, Tom Anderson – Pioneer at Queensberry and Luggate, A Random Photo or Two, 100 Years Ago, Oral History Project, AGM 2023, Maps and Their Stories – Richie’s Collection, Changing the Rules, Jo’s Update.

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  • Black and white photo of Mrs. O. P. McCallum with vintage hairstyle and dark clothing.

    Vol 20 Those Were The Days

    Summer 2022

    Christmas and a New Year, The McCallum Family – Amongst Our First Settlers, Re-Writing History – The First Female Child Born to a Settler in the Upper Clutha, Earliest Photography of the Upper Clutha, 2022 History Prize Award, What’s in a Name – Mou Waho?, Don’t Frighten the Horses, World Sheep Dog Trials 18 April 1867, 100 Years Ago, Old Country Club Building, Jill and John Blennerhassett, Our New Project – Oral History, A Random Photo – Cardrona Hotel 1950s, Jo’s Update, What Else We Have Been Up To, Recent Photos Acquired, Netsafe Guide to Scam Spotting.

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  • An old, weathered wooden house in a rural landscape with mountains in the background under a blue sky.

    Vol 19 Those Were The Days

    Spring 2022

    Emily Ross’ Memories of Queensberry Part 2; How was Pembroke Named; Power Restrictions in 1952; Maps – Stan Kane’s Annotations; Old Country Club Building on Wanaka Station;  Jo’s Update; 100 Years Ago – Wireless comes to Wanaka; Recent Photos

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  • Black and white photo of a smiling woman with short hair wearing a headscarf, outdoors near a body of water with mountains in the background.

    Vol 18 Those Were The Days

    Winter 2022

    Peg Mathieson – Life Member – Obituary, Lesley Burdon – Obituary, Annual General Meeting 25 May 2022, Retiring Committee Members, Population Growth, Living in the Upper Clutha in the 1880s – Part One, Bush Licences, The Liverpool Arms Mystery, The First ‘Airship’ to Land in the Upper Clutha, Rabbits in 1923,  Maps and their Stories by David Simmers, A Letter on the Eve of her Wedding, What We Are Up To At The Moment, Recent Photos Acquired

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  • Four men standing next to tall bundles of flax in a field, black and white photograph.

    Vol 17 Those Were The Days

    Autumn 2022

    George Humphrey’s Story, History Made! – The Winter Olympics, Mystery Car, 100 Years ago, Mystery Pub – Liverpool Arms, Plans for the Year, Maps and Their Stories, Jo’s Update, Recent Photos Acquired

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  • Four men wearing hats riding in an early 20th-century vehicle, with the man in front holding the steering wheel.

    Vol 16 Those Were The Days

    Summer 2021

    The Year Gone Past; UCHRS History Prize 2021; Henry Maidman, Fanny Cole and the Luggate Hotel; Petitions; Mystery Car; The Winches; Jo’s Updates; The New Records Room ????, Who Are We?

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  • Black and white photograph of Mr. Alfred Pinn with a mustache and beard, wearing a hat and a dark coat.

    Vol 15 Those Were The Days

    Spring 2021

    The Professoress of Music and the Shipwright, Makarora School – Smallest School Around, Jo’s Update, Traversing the Crown Range – 1930’s query, Libraries Partnership Scheme, A Little Bit of History – Tongue in Cheek!, Random Photos, Who Are We?

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  • A vintage airplane on a grassy field with a pilot and a passenger near the plane, under a large fabric canopy. The photo is black and white, and the caption reads 'NZ Airways Simmonds Spartan Aircraft at Hawea Flat.'

    Vol 14 Those Were The Days

    Winter 2021 

    Annual General Meeting, Airport at Hawea Flat?, A History of the Paddle Steamer ‘Theodore’, Traversing the Crown Range in 1884, Membership Fees for Financial Members, Libraries Partnership Scheme, U3A (University of the 3rd Age), Jo’s Update, A little Bit of History – Tongue in Cheek, Maps and Random Photos 

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  • Historical black and white photograph of a group of people standing in front of the Albion Hotel, with a vintage car and a truck loaded with sacks parked outside. The hotel is set against a hillside backdrop.

    Vol 13 Those Were The Days

    Autumn 2021

    1913 – Year of the Lorry, Even Earlier Transport – This Time for Tourists, More Cyclists – 100 Years Ago, Hawea Residents – We Need Your Help, Lakes District Museum Exhibition – Early Maps, Annual General Meeting, Jo’s Updates, Maps and Random Photos

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  • Map of Queenstown from 1864, showing streets and blocks around Lake Wakatipu.

    Vol 12 Those Were The Days

    Summer 2020

    Seasons Greetings, UCHRS History Prize 2020, Asher Smith – Carpenter and Ship Builder, Buying Land in Wanaka – 1860’s Problems, Courageous and Free – 2nd Edition, Le Quesnoy WW1 Memorial, The 2019 Flood, Thank You’s, Volunteers Wanted, Jo’s Update, Maps and Random Photos.

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  • A historic black and white photograph of the Wanaka Hotel, a small wooden building with four sections and a sign that reads 'Theodore Russell Wanaka Hotel.' There are people standing in front of the hotel, some with horses, and a horse-drawn carriage parked to the left.

    Vol 11 Those Were The Days

    Spring 2020

    Theodore Russell – Pioneer, Entrepreneur and Citizen, Of Mice and Men, Airports and More Airports! Computer Upgrade Update, New Email Address, Volunteers Wanted, Ken Humphrey Photo Collection, Cecily and Rod Anderson Collection, Open Day 29 August, Putting Things In Perspective, Jo’s Update.

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  • An elderly man with white hair, wearing a black sweater, standing behind a white picket fence in front of a small, weathered white house with a single window and door.

    Vol 10 Those Were The Days

    Winter 2020

    Update on Cardrona Church, Makarora Jack and His Family, Sidney Morris Cornelius, Computer Network Upgrade, Annual General Meeting, President’s Report, Jo’s Notes & Updates, 100 Years Ago, The Museum Project, Spanish Flu vs Covid-19.

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  • Small, white, wooden church in Cardrona with three tall, narrow windows and a metal roof, surrounded by a grassy lawn and trees in the background.

    Vol 9 Those Were The Days

    Autumn 2020

    A Very Mobile Church – the Cardrona Catholic Church, Computer Replacement Project, Wanaka Cemetery Tour, He Lost a Fiver! – A Criffel Miner’s Story, An Interesting Website, Annual General Meeting, 100 Years Ago, Jo’s Notes & Updates, Tourism

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  • A historical map of Newcastle with streets and landmarks, drawn in black ink on a beige background.

    Vol 8 Those Were The Days

    Summer 2019

    Upper Clutha History Prize, Our Map Collection, Bremner Bay, Lake Hawea Archives Room, Recent Obituaries – June Hyde and David Jacquiery, Epitaph Puzzle, Jo’s Notes, 100 Years Ago, Scattered Seeds, Scottish Matters, Epitaph Explanation, Some Help Please – a photo

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  • A long stone building with a metal roof in a grassy field, with hills in the background under a clear blue sky.

    Vol 7 Those Were The Days

    Spring 2019

    “Big John” – A Canny Scot, A Fishy Story, Jo’s Notes, 100 Years Age, Scottish ‘Matters’, Some Help – Who are in the Photos?

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  • Silhouette of a statue of a man walking a dog on a leash in a desert landscape during sunset.

    Vol 6 Those Were The Days

    Winter 2019

    Fat Boys, UCHRS History Correction, Dog Trials, Our Publications, The Upper Clutha Maori booklet, 100 Years Ago, Plans for the Year, Jo’s Notes, More Irish ‘Matters’, AGM Report, Annuals Subs, Who Are We?

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  • A black-and-white photo of a man with a mustache, dressed in a suit, sitting in a chair, and a young girl standing next to him in a vintage dress with lace details, both indoors with a painted backdrop.

    Vol 5 Those Were The Days

    Autumn 2019

    George? George Who? (George Hassing), UCHRS History Part 2, Our Publications, 100 Years Ago, Plans for the Year, Jo’s Notes, Memory Bank, Millennium Tiles, Irish ‘Matters’.

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  • Historical black and white photo of a frontier town scene with few buildings, a man on horseback, several people standing outside shops, and a hill in the background.

    Vol 4 Those Were The Days

    Summer 2018

    UC History Prize, First Family – the Normans, Armistice Day 1918, The “Spanish Flu”, Remember Lifebouy Soap?, 100 Years Ago – the weather – snow! And a Boxing Day welcome back home, History of UCHRS Part 1, Anecdotes from the Past – an Irish theme, Jo’s Notes and Updates, Latest News, Paperspast, Who are We? 

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  • Scenic landscape of a lake with mountains in the background, lush green trees and grassy hills in the foreground, and Ruby Island in Lake Wānaka, taken from Rippon Vineyard.

    Vol 3 Those Were The Days

    Spring 2018

    Ruby Island History, 125 Years of Womens Suffrage, 100 Years Ago – the weather and Hawea trout, Anecdotes from the Past, Latest News, Help – WW2 Service people, Jo’s Notes and Updates, Who are We?

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  • Black and white photo of an elderly woman with short wavy hair, wearing a patterned top and a dark cardigan.

    Vol 2 Those Were The Days

    Winter 2018

    Phyllis May Aspinall – Obituary, A Maori History of the Upper Clutha, AGM Report, Membership Subscriptions, Rabbits, Latest News – update on activities, 100 Years Ago – – the weather and power generation, The Slide Show – photos from the past, Mt Aspiring College – helping students, Jo’s Notes and Updates, Who are We? 

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  • Black and white photo of the Cardrona Hotel with a vintage car parked in front and three people standing outside.

    Vol 1 Those Were The Days

    Autumn 2018

    Editorial – introduction to the newsletters, Wanaka War Memorial history, Anecdotes from the Past – Paddy Galvin, 100 Years Ago – the weather, Latest News – update on activities, Jo’s News and Updates, Who Are We?

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