| Title | Oral history interview with Owen Freeman, 2002. |
| Creator | |
| Collection | |
| Date created | 14 June 2002 |
| Description Summary | Owen recalls the purchase of the family farm in Swanson (Ranui). He describes un-invited gum-diggers; the farm development; mentions crops, stock and orchards. He describes childhood pursuits such as 'nikau sliding', catching eels, brown trout, koura & fresh water mussels, building dams, and lighting fires. He mentions Birdwood Road. Owen recalls his grandfather getting supplies by boat from Auckland. He describes the Birdwood Road house, haymaking, the Army Camp at Redwood Park and tells a story about Yelich's dog. Owen describes the Bard Rock chickens, draught horses, picking loganberries, details his teenage years, attending the local Anglican church, his education, and briefly mentions his career. Mention is made of local Ranui identities. |
| Subjects | |
| Other Notes | Commissioned by the Ranui Action Project Born 1932 at Swanson, Owen, son of Charles and Elizabeth Freeman was schooled at Swanson Primary and Mt Albert Grammar. Taking up teaching as a profession, he was Principal of several schools, before taking a position as an Inspector of Schools. Owen and Joan (Bentley) married in 1959, raising a family of three. Grandparents Esther and Arthur Gregory and Alice and Edwin Freeman are named. |
| Keywords | Rupert Cook; Dan Urlich; Henderson School; Nicholas family: Redwood Park; John Yelich; Mt. Albert Grammar; Auckland College of Education; Don Buck; Bethell; Edwin Freeman; Charlie Crowe; Lawsonville; Te Henga; Children; Games; Play; Orchards; Kauri gum |
| Language | English |
| Copyright Holder | Auckland Libraries |
| Access Rights | Contact the West Auckland Research Centre, Waitakere Central Library in Henderson, to listen to recording or view abstract. Not available for loan. |
| Digital access copies | Wav file. |
| Available copies | Access copy in Local History Closed Store, Level 2, Waitakere Central Library, Henderson. |
| Original medium | Audio; analogue, cassette |
| Duration | 2 x C60 |
| Supporting materials | Release agreement. Biographical information sheet. Transcript. Abstract. |
| Contributor | |
| Oral History ID | WOH-1024-1 |
