History: People Stories

The Wellington Region thanks these tutors, musicians and committee members for their long and dedicated service to the Region.

Tutors

Maureen Robson: 38 years of teaching at Tawa
See this article about Maureen’s Tribute Dance by Désirée Patterson and Moggie Grayson, Harbour City Happenings, Volume 22 No. 4, Dec 2019

Ian Simmonds: 52 years of teaching at Linden
See this article about Ian retiring after 52 years of teaching Linden Club, Harbour City Happenings, Volume 14, Issue No. 2, July 2011

Musicians

Peter Elmes
See tributes to Peter Elmes following his retirement from playing his accordion for 60 years in Wellington Region and throughout New Zealand, Harbour City Happenings, Volume 21 No. 3, December 2018

John Foden and Tom Barnes
See this article about fiddler John Foden and accordionist Tom Barnes who played in Scottish Country Dance bands in the 1980s, Harbour City Happenings Volume 24 No. 4, December 2021

Tributes

Bronwyn Maysmor (died 2024): Event organiser/committees
Tributes to Bronwyn from Elizabeth Ferguson and Shirley Kalogeropoulos Harbour City Happenings, Volume 27, No.1, March 2024. Memories of Bronwyn including photos in this article from Loralee Hyde

Betty Redfearn (died 2017): Long-term teacher
Tributes to Betty from Bronwyn Maysmor and Désirée Patterson Harbour City Happenings, Volume 20 No. 1, June 2017

Norman Whitson (1933 – 2017): Long-time teacher at Eastbourne
Tribute to Norman from Bronwyn Maysmor and Charlotte Williams Harbour City Happenings, Volume 19 No. 4, March 2017

Stefanie Kelly (1954 – 2014): Region Secretary 1991–93 and Dave Macfarlane (died 2014): Region President for four years and founder of Upper Hutt Club)

Tributes to Stephanie and Dave Harbour City Happenings, Volume 17, No. 2, September 2014

Bruce Campbell (died 2013): Region Treasurer 1966-1990
Tribute to Bruce, Harbour City Happenings, Volume 16 No. 1, June 2013

Marie Malcolm (1921-2011): 37 years of teaching at Ngaio
Tribute to Marie from Dame Margaret Sparrow, Harbour City Happenings, Volume 14 No. 1, May 2011

Mirth Smallwood (died 2004): Life Member of the RSCDS New Zealand Branch, 1993
Tribute to Mirth, Harbour City Happenings, Volume 7 No. 5, November 2004