Sally Mackay
Topics: farming, Glendhu Station, family life
Sally tells her story of growing up on Glendhu, a high-country station on the shores of Lake Wānaka. She speaks of her family and when her great grandfather bought Glendhu Station and West Wānaka Station in 1906. Because of the isolation, her education involved weekday boarding in Wānaka as a five year old, and later for her secondary education as a boarder at Craighead. Sally’s favourite subjects were sport (tennis in particular) and art. However, her great love was all things farming. Since she was a child, ponies and pony club, dogs, sheep trials and rodeos were her interests.
On leaving school Sally returned to Glendhu, hoping to fulfil her dream of becoming a farmer. That wasn't to be, as women didn't become farmers or inherit farms in those days. Sally worked at Glendhu, cooking and farming, managing the property at age 19 when her parents went away for 3 months, until she was married. Glendhu was a prestigious station and Sally recounts entertaining many visitors, including the Queen Mother.
Interviewed by Marie Lewis
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