The dream of creating a catholic school in Gore might have remained just that, were it not for the foresight, dedication and sheer hard work of a varied group of people. Back in the 1950s and 60s they schemed, laboured and made plans, raised funds and nurtured that dream into the reality of St Peter’s College.
On this page, you can read some of our founders' stories.
On this page, you can read some of our founders' stories.
Key Founders
monsignor finlay
Writing in the first edition of The Rock, the parish priest of the time, Monsignor (then Father) Finlay, remembers that in the 1950s the Sisters of Mercy had provided a Catholic education in Gore for 80 years, but people expressed concern that the Sisters had to teach “big boys” and some also said that “boys need a man teacher”, so a Brothers’ school was proposed. This would be a Catholic secondary school for the boys of Gore and surrounding parishes.
“This was fine talk but what a task lay ahead! We had no land, no buildings, and no money!” wrote M. Finlay.
It is a testament to his drive and commitment that, with many dedicated helpers, by 1969, the funds were raised, land was bought, and St Peter’s College was built and opened.
“This was fine talk but what a task lay ahead! We had no land, no buildings, and no money!” wrote M. Finlay.
It is a testament to his drive and commitment that, with many dedicated helpers, by 1969, the funds were raised, land was bought, and St Peter’s College was built and opened.
Father maurice white
A background in accountancy made Father Maurice White a natural choice to be a “collector” in the early days of raising funds for St Peter’s College.
Collectors, chosen from the ranks of priests and brothers, not only collected at parish churches after mass, but also covered large districts, raising money from door to door. The Rosminians spearheaded this role until the school actually opened and then handed it over to the diocese and ultimately Plan Giving. The money paid off existing mortgages, reduced loans and paid interest.
Fr. Maurice originally intended to be a chemist, but not having studied Latin at school, this career was closed to him. Educated by the Marist Brothers in Invercargill, he passed his school certificate and initially joined government service in the law courts. By 1948 he had joined the accountancy branch of the Forest Service and began studying part-time to qualify as an accountant. It was during this time that thoughts of going into the priesthood also crystallised. 1962 saw him qualify as an accountant, while still at Mosgiel, embarking on his training for the priesthood.
Ironically part of his training as a late vocation student, involved the study of Latin destined to become so much a part of his new life. Three years studying philosophy at the seminary in Christchurch were followed by four years of theology at Mosgiel.
There followed several years as an assistant priest in Ranfurly, Winton and Oamaru and this was followed by a six month spell as army chaplain at Burnham at a time when New Zealand forces were involved in the Vietman War. The ability to make a difference for these stressed servicemen and their families made this a rewarding time for Fr. Maurice, but it was to be followed by a very different assignment.
The bishop directed him to Gore, to live with the Rosminian brothers and “collect” for St Peter’s College. Based at the school, he travelled to parishes all over the district and would preach for the local priest on Sunday and then go house to house around the roll of parishoners, persuading them to support this new Catholic co-educational school. Days were long, but hospitality received made up for this. Money was collected by an envelope system, directly asking for a cash donation or through farmers donating lambs. This was in the days when you were lucky to get $5 dollars for a lamb, but the numbers added up. The donated lambs were killed in the name of the college and a killing sheet was sent in to identify the donor.
The priests involved covered many miles and were generally met with great hospitality, sometimes more so in Southland than Otago. Families from places like Wanaka had traditionally sent their sons to St Kevin’s at Oamaru, which was closer geographically to them. They didn’t have the same incentive to change to Gore.
The collecting process meant that Fr. Maurice developed good associations with Catholics all over the district, but after the initial year of just raising and collating donations, he wanted a return to pastoral work. As the priest in Roxburgh was retiring, he was directed to move there and took on a parish role as well. All through the early years of St Peter’s, from 1970-1977, Fr. Maurice helped to bring in support with his fund raising. He felt that St Peter’s was a good school, forward thinking in its inclusion of girls and he was happy to promote it to parents across the region. Always part of a team, which included Fathers Hurdidge, Hill, Tedesco and Buckner, he also served on the school’s Board of Trustees. He witnessed the change from Rosminian to first lay principal and the advent of the chapel, having accompanied Fr. Hill to the Bishop’s sickbed to ask for permission to build it.
Eventually collecting gave way to Planned Giving and a team of fund raisers from Australia set up a new envelope scheme for parishioners.
Fr. Maurice continued ministering as a priest in Tapanui, then Wyndham. He then became Te Anau’s first parish priest, before moving on to Tuatapere, Riverton, Green Island, Balclutha and Ranfurly and then semi- retiring to Winton in 2007. Looking back he hopes that he always strived to do his very best for all the people in each of his parishes, taking a very ecumenical approach to the task.
Constantly travelling around the south of New Zealand, didn’t deter him from exploring the wider world, including Israel, Ireland and the USA and he has also acted as a chaplain on four cruises.
Looking back, the irony of the part that Latin has played in his life, is not lost on him.
Collectors, chosen from the ranks of priests and brothers, not only collected at parish churches after mass, but also covered large districts, raising money from door to door. The Rosminians spearheaded this role until the school actually opened and then handed it over to the diocese and ultimately Plan Giving. The money paid off existing mortgages, reduced loans and paid interest.
Fr. Maurice originally intended to be a chemist, but not having studied Latin at school, this career was closed to him. Educated by the Marist Brothers in Invercargill, he passed his school certificate and initially joined government service in the law courts. By 1948 he had joined the accountancy branch of the Forest Service and began studying part-time to qualify as an accountant. It was during this time that thoughts of going into the priesthood also crystallised. 1962 saw him qualify as an accountant, while still at Mosgiel, embarking on his training for the priesthood.
Ironically part of his training as a late vocation student, involved the study of Latin destined to become so much a part of his new life. Three years studying philosophy at the seminary in Christchurch were followed by four years of theology at Mosgiel.
There followed several years as an assistant priest in Ranfurly, Winton and Oamaru and this was followed by a six month spell as army chaplain at Burnham at a time when New Zealand forces were involved in the Vietman War. The ability to make a difference for these stressed servicemen and their families made this a rewarding time for Fr. Maurice, but it was to be followed by a very different assignment.
The bishop directed him to Gore, to live with the Rosminian brothers and “collect” for St Peter’s College. Based at the school, he travelled to parishes all over the district and would preach for the local priest on Sunday and then go house to house around the roll of parishoners, persuading them to support this new Catholic co-educational school. Days were long, but hospitality received made up for this. Money was collected by an envelope system, directly asking for a cash donation or through farmers donating lambs. This was in the days when you were lucky to get $5 dollars for a lamb, but the numbers added up. The donated lambs were killed in the name of the college and a killing sheet was sent in to identify the donor.
The priests involved covered many miles and were generally met with great hospitality, sometimes more so in Southland than Otago. Families from places like Wanaka had traditionally sent their sons to St Kevin’s at Oamaru, which was closer geographically to them. They didn’t have the same incentive to change to Gore.
The collecting process meant that Fr. Maurice developed good associations with Catholics all over the district, but after the initial year of just raising and collating donations, he wanted a return to pastoral work. As the priest in Roxburgh was retiring, he was directed to move there and took on a parish role as well. All through the early years of St Peter’s, from 1970-1977, Fr. Maurice helped to bring in support with his fund raising. He felt that St Peter’s was a good school, forward thinking in its inclusion of girls and he was happy to promote it to parents across the region. Always part of a team, which included Fathers Hurdidge, Hill, Tedesco and Buckner, he also served on the school’s Board of Trustees. He witnessed the change from Rosminian to first lay principal and the advent of the chapel, having accompanied Fr. Hill to the Bishop’s sickbed to ask for permission to build it.
Eventually collecting gave way to Planned Giving and a team of fund raisers from Australia set up a new envelope scheme for parishioners.
Fr. Maurice continued ministering as a priest in Tapanui, then Wyndham. He then became Te Anau’s first parish priest, before moving on to Tuatapere, Riverton, Green Island, Balclutha and Ranfurly and then semi- retiring to Winton in 2007. Looking back he hopes that he always strived to do his very best for all the people in each of his parishes, taking a very ecumenical approach to the task.
Constantly travelling around the south of New Zealand, didn’t deter him from exploring the wider world, including Israel, Ireland and the USA and he has also acted as a chaplain on four cruises.
Looking back, the irony of the part that Latin has played in his life, is not lost on him.
Founding Families
noeline nicholson
Noeline Nicholson's memories of the early days of St Peter's College
Monsignor Finlay used to come out to our farm at Knapdale and he would talk about the possibility of having a Catholic boys’ school in Gore.
Initially the Capuchins were invited to staff it. The church had some property in East Gore so that helped with the funding. Local farmers had a scheme where calves were donated to add to the funds. My husband was one of those who donated grass seed for sowing the school field when the time came.
Other fundraising events were held in our woolshed. The local police kept any eye out as gambling wasn’t allowed.
When the school actually opened, the Fair Day was the big fund raiser. Brother Ted was the key player with his Tombola and Big Slide. The slide was on the bank by the chapel steps and Brother Ted didn’t think it was steep enough, so he got someone’s truck in to lift the top higher and make the slide more exciting – this was in the days before Health and Safety!
People were always generous with their donations. I was part of a group of ladies who made craft items to sell at the Fair. We used to go to a big warehouse in Dunedin and buy materials to make things. This led on to the idea of our own shop and “Our Patch” opened in Gore Main Street. The shop still thrives thirty years later, but on a different site.
Having St Peter’s open in Gore, meant that there was more competition between the schools on the sports field which was a good thing for everyone.
Parents took turns at serving for a few years on the PTFA.
The older two of Noline's children were pupils at St Peter’s and she now has grandchildren at the school.
Monsignor Finlay used to come out to our farm at Knapdale and he would talk about the possibility of having a Catholic boys’ school in Gore.
Initially the Capuchins were invited to staff it. The church had some property in East Gore so that helped with the funding. Local farmers had a scheme where calves were donated to add to the funds. My husband was one of those who donated grass seed for sowing the school field when the time came.
Other fundraising events were held in our woolshed. The local police kept any eye out as gambling wasn’t allowed.
When the school actually opened, the Fair Day was the big fund raiser. Brother Ted was the key player with his Tombola and Big Slide. The slide was on the bank by the chapel steps and Brother Ted didn’t think it was steep enough, so he got someone’s truck in to lift the top higher and make the slide more exciting – this was in the days before Health and Safety!
People were always generous with their donations. I was part of a group of ladies who made craft items to sell at the Fair. We used to go to a big warehouse in Dunedin and buy materials to make things. This led on to the idea of our own shop and “Our Patch” opened in Gore Main Street. The shop still thrives thirty years later, but on a different site.
Having St Peter’s open in Gore, meant that there was more competition between the schools on the sports field which was a good thing for everyone.
Parents took turns at serving for a few years on the PTFA.
The older two of Noline's children were pupils at St Peter’s and she now has grandchildren at the school.
claire horrell
The Horrell family have been closely involved with St Peter’s College over many years, as both the parents, Claire and Bill and children, Susan, Lisa, Anne-Marie and Rohan, played an active part in the development and day to day life of the school. As the family lived in Riversdale, all the children boarded in Gore – Rohan at St Paul’s hostel and the girls at Miss Kelly’s in Kitchener Street.
Theirs was a very sporty family. Claire was involved in school hockey for many years and all the children involved in sport, especially tennis where they were all winners of Southland Doubles Matches. Susan’s tragic death in 1975 in a motor accident led to the establishment of the Susan Horrell Memorial Tennis Courts at the school.
As well as her involvement in sport, Claire taught ballroom dancing to the pupils and remembers that at the first lesson, the girls were very bashful and it took Brother Ted to get them all organised and dancing with the boys. When Brother Ted organised a hockey tour to Australia, Claire and Bill went along as helpers. The group travelled around in a bus and as Brother Ted didn’t believe in motels, they stayed in convents and church halls, where Claire would help to provide meals for everyone.
She has many memories of Brother Ted on that trip. He notoriously wouldn’t tolerate people being late for rendezvous times and when Bill went to get ice creams at a ferry port in Sydney, he was left standing on the quayside, an ice cream in each hand, as they departed without him. On another occasion, Lisa and another pupil were late for the bus and Brother Ted went without them, trusting them to return safely on their own to their anxious parents (which they did, via the Sydney underground).
Brother Ted had scant regard for parking regulations in Australia and would just park on the pavement if there were no spaces, declaring that he already had parking tickets from all over Europe. If the traffic was heavy he would lean out of the bus window and say “We’re from New Zealand, would you let us in?”
Over the years, Claire also served on the PTFA and like the mothers of many other St Peter’s pupils, was a member of the Catholic Women’s League. She took part in many Fairs and has seen children and grandchildren perform in school productions and Eisteddfods. From these they have moved on to diverse careers - Lisa as an anaesthetist in Dunedin, Anne-Marie as a primary school teacher and Rohan as a farmer on the family farm. The next generation of Horrells have also passed through the school. Zelia Horrell was Head Girl and is now Marketing Manager for Destination Taupo. Sarah McCrostie was also a Head Girl. Zeb Horrell was a 7th Form leader and is currently coaching rugby in San Francisco. Zack Horrell did an engineering degree and is at present with American Ninja in Las Vegas.
Theirs was a very sporty family. Claire was involved in school hockey for many years and all the children involved in sport, especially tennis where they were all winners of Southland Doubles Matches. Susan’s tragic death in 1975 in a motor accident led to the establishment of the Susan Horrell Memorial Tennis Courts at the school.
As well as her involvement in sport, Claire taught ballroom dancing to the pupils and remembers that at the first lesson, the girls were very bashful and it took Brother Ted to get them all organised and dancing with the boys. When Brother Ted organised a hockey tour to Australia, Claire and Bill went along as helpers. The group travelled around in a bus and as Brother Ted didn’t believe in motels, they stayed in convents and church halls, where Claire would help to provide meals for everyone.
She has many memories of Brother Ted on that trip. He notoriously wouldn’t tolerate people being late for rendezvous times and when Bill went to get ice creams at a ferry port in Sydney, he was left standing on the quayside, an ice cream in each hand, as they departed without him. On another occasion, Lisa and another pupil were late for the bus and Brother Ted went without them, trusting them to return safely on their own to their anxious parents (which they did, via the Sydney underground).
Brother Ted had scant regard for parking regulations in Australia and would just park on the pavement if there were no spaces, declaring that he already had parking tickets from all over Europe. If the traffic was heavy he would lean out of the bus window and say “We’re from New Zealand, would you let us in?”
Over the years, Claire also served on the PTFA and like the mothers of many other St Peter’s pupils, was a member of the Catholic Women’s League. She took part in many Fairs and has seen children and grandchildren perform in school productions and Eisteddfods. From these they have moved on to diverse careers - Lisa as an anaesthetist in Dunedin, Anne-Marie as a primary school teacher and Rohan as a farmer on the family farm. The next generation of Horrells have also passed through the school. Zelia Horrell was Head Girl and is now Marketing Manager for Destination Taupo. Sarah McCrostie was also a Head Girl. Zeb Horrell was a 7th Form leader and is currently coaching rugby in San Francisco. Zack Horrell did an engineering degree and is at present with American Ninja in Las Vegas.
eileen windle
Eileen and Kevin (Digger) Windle’s daughter Mary-Ann was a first day pupil at St Peter’s College. The family had been thrilled to learn that the school was to be co-ed and although it opened too late for their first three sons to attend, Mary-Ann and her younger brother Peter became pupils.
The Rosminian priests with their European ideas on education were introducing new ideas to Gore. Each of the priests had a ‘mum’ in the town, (Eileen was one) and they helped to look after them on the domestic front.
Eileen belonged to the Catholic Women’s League and was a PTFA member in the early days and recalls when the chapel was being built, the architect was proposing that it had a cream carpet. A practical mum of five, she thought this was a bad idea and she accompanied Father Hill to Invercargill where they chose the more user friendly green one which is still doing duty today.
Brother Ted and his various schemes are still vivid in Eileen’s memory. He was always sure that ‘money would turn up’ to pay for them. After taking a school trip to the North Island and staying in various church halls, he wanted to send a cheque off to reimburse the parishes, but there were no funds available. The group had travelled by train and booked their meals in advance. However, they hadn’t received the food that they ordered and Brother Ted wrote to the railways and complained. In due course a cheque arrived in recompense and so funds became available to send on to the parishes.
On another occasion a meeting was held to discuss an alcohol policy for the school and Eileen was helping to serve the supper, but all the plates were missing. All she could find were some metal trays advertising alcoholic drinks which she had to use for the sandwiches. Brother Ted was highly amused at the irony of that situation.
Eileen’s daughter Mary-Ann works in real estate and son Peter qualified through Massey University and went into finance and has worked all over the world. Eileen’s involvement with the school continued for many years and six of her grandchildren have been pupils here.
The Rosminian priests with their European ideas on education were introducing new ideas to Gore. Each of the priests had a ‘mum’ in the town, (Eileen was one) and they helped to look after them on the domestic front.
Eileen belonged to the Catholic Women’s League and was a PTFA member in the early days and recalls when the chapel was being built, the architect was proposing that it had a cream carpet. A practical mum of five, she thought this was a bad idea and she accompanied Father Hill to Invercargill where they chose the more user friendly green one which is still doing duty today.
Brother Ted and his various schemes are still vivid in Eileen’s memory. He was always sure that ‘money would turn up’ to pay for them. After taking a school trip to the North Island and staying in various church halls, he wanted to send a cheque off to reimburse the parishes, but there were no funds available. The group had travelled by train and booked their meals in advance. However, they hadn’t received the food that they ordered and Brother Ted wrote to the railways and complained. In due course a cheque arrived in recompense and so funds became available to send on to the parishes.
On another occasion a meeting was held to discuss an alcohol policy for the school and Eileen was helping to serve the supper, but all the plates were missing. All she could find were some metal trays advertising alcoholic drinks which she had to use for the sandwiches. Brother Ted was highly amused at the irony of that situation.
Eileen’s daughter Mary-Ann works in real estate and son Peter qualified through Massey University and went into finance and has worked all over the world. Eileen’s involvement with the school continued for many years and six of her grandchildren have been pupils here.
joan duncan
Joan was a member of the Swain family who came out to New Zealand from Kent in England in the 1870s. As a member of the Catholic Womens' League she was involved in St Peter's College from the beginning as the League took an active part in fund raising.
Initially the St Peter’s Fair Recipe Book was just a sheet that was copied and handed out as an annual fund raiser. Later it became a proper book and provides a roll call of supporters who contributed their recipes. Sewing and baking and White Elephant stalls were also popular fund raisers at the fair. The women went to Sewhoys in Dunedin for materials at discount prices.
Quita Lynch had a big table, so they would congregate there for cutting out patterns and making up. Potholders and aprons were turned out in great numbers and always sold well. Quita was a great organiser.
On the baking front, Pauline Hickey turned out sponges by the dozen. Once the school kitchen opened, they could do their cooking in there.
Joan’s two children started at SPC in 1971 and 1972 but then the family moved to Queenstown for nine years. Peter worked for H&J Smith and moved to their Queenstown branch. They returned to Gore in 1981 and their youngest daughter started at SPC the following year.
Joan served on the PTFA for several years with one year as Chairperson and recalls that there was always great support from parents.
There was early consultation with the community before the school opened on the subject of uniform. Samples and patterns were discussed with parents and at first they could make or knit items themselves to keep costs down.
Back in 1953 the CWL was really the only local organisation for women. In the early days they had large numbers of members and in 1964 they opened a Homemakers section for younger women.
They collected clothing to send to overseas missions (nowadays they send money), they baked for new mothers, cleaned the church, catered for funerals, visited the sick in hospitals and rest homes and each branch of the league supported an overseas mission. They would look after the priests and nuns there, as well as the people.
Their annual raffle brought in funds and was always well supported in the community. Nowadays there are only around twenty members and they are all getting on in age.
Initially the St Peter’s Fair Recipe Book was just a sheet that was copied and handed out as an annual fund raiser. Later it became a proper book and provides a roll call of supporters who contributed their recipes. Sewing and baking and White Elephant stalls were also popular fund raisers at the fair. The women went to Sewhoys in Dunedin for materials at discount prices.
Quita Lynch had a big table, so they would congregate there for cutting out patterns and making up. Potholders and aprons were turned out in great numbers and always sold well. Quita was a great organiser.
On the baking front, Pauline Hickey turned out sponges by the dozen. Once the school kitchen opened, they could do their cooking in there.
Joan’s two children started at SPC in 1971 and 1972 but then the family moved to Queenstown for nine years. Peter worked for H&J Smith and moved to their Queenstown branch. They returned to Gore in 1981 and their youngest daughter started at SPC the following year.
Joan served on the PTFA for several years with one year as Chairperson and recalls that there was always great support from parents.
There was early consultation with the community before the school opened on the subject of uniform. Samples and patterns were discussed with parents and at first they could make or knit items themselves to keep costs down.
Back in 1953 the CWL was really the only local organisation for women. In the early days they had large numbers of members and in 1964 they opened a Homemakers section for younger women.
They collected clothing to send to overseas missions (nowadays they send money), they baked for new mothers, cleaned the church, catered for funerals, visited the sick in hospitals and rest homes and each branch of the league supported an overseas mission. They would look after the priests and nuns there, as well as the people.
Their annual raffle brought in funds and was always well supported in the community. Nowadays there are only around twenty members and they are all getting on in age.
avis mcdonald
“As a parent, it was automatic – you did what you could for the school”.
Avis McDonald played her part over the years when she was a St Peter’s College parent. She joined the PTFA and annually helped out with the Fair. She served time on the committee, but was usually to be found manning the chip wagon with Tom Browning.
She had always supported other local groups – Plunket, Brownies and the Lions – as well as her involvement with SPC and her house was home from home to many of the boarders from the Hostel. Boarders were taken home by bus for occasional weekends, but school weekends often found them visiting Avis’s house to spend time with her children, Janice, Annette and Gordon. When the school was affected by flooding back in 1978, boarders took refuge with sleeping bags on her lounge floor.
As a member of the PTFA, Avis was involved in working out an alcohol policy as a guide for parents dealing with this issue. (Boarders were allowed two beers on a Friday night – what they referred to as “compulsory fun”.)
As non-Catholics, the McDonalds sent their children to SPC because of its good reputation on discipline and fostering respect in children. They were delighted with the results of this choice and with the diverse range of activities that the children were involved in through school. Avis has maintained her contacts with the school as she has watched her grandchildren complete the same journey.
Return to Founding Families page
Avis McDonald played her part over the years when she was a St Peter’s College parent. She joined the PTFA and annually helped out with the Fair. She served time on the committee, but was usually to be found manning the chip wagon with Tom Browning.
She had always supported other local groups – Plunket, Brownies and the Lions – as well as her involvement with SPC and her house was home from home to many of the boarders from the Hostel. Boarders were taken home by bus for occasional weekends, but school weekends often found them visiting Avis’s house to spend time with her children, Janice, Annette and Gordon. When the school was affected by flooding back in 1978, boarders took refuge with sleeping bags on her lounge floor.
As a member of the PTFA, Avis was involved in working out an alcohol policy as a guide for parents dealing with this issue. (Boarders were allowed two beers on a Friday night – what they referred to as “compulsory fun”.)
As non-Catholics, the McDonalds sent their children to SPC because of its good reputation on discipline and fostering respect in children. They were delighted with the results of this choice and with the diverse range of activities that the children were involved in through school. Avis has maintained her contacts with the school as she has watched her grandchildren complete the same journey.
Return to Founding Families page
cath chamberlain
Back in the 1960s, Cath and Joe Chamberlain were living on a remote farm at Orawia near Otautau with their six children. It was hard times for farming, but they knew that they wanted to invest in education for their four boys and two girls and the opening of St Peter’s College promised to provide just that. Son Martin started as a second year pupil in 1970 and in due course the others all followed. As the farm was a one and a half hour drive from the school, the boys boarded in the hostel and the girls had to board privately in Gore. The private boarding didn’t always work out so well and there was still a lot of travelling involved for the family, which involved a big sacrifice in time and resources.
The Chamberlains felt that the Rosminians who were running the school, were ahead of their time in educational and church matters. They worked well with the Mercy Sisters and this new influx of ideas was good for Southland as a whole.
Despite their distance from Gore, the family were always involved with the annual Fair. Joe would bring along half a sheep and Cath was usually to be found selling on the cake stall, having been baking for days beforehand. When fund raising started for the building of the chapel, Joe did a lot of travelling in his area to help raise money. Following his untimely death in the 1980s, son Neville returned home to run the farm for two years and Cath eventually left the farm and settled near family in Invercargill.
And what of the four boys and two girls?
Martin flourished at St Peter’s, making the most of his time there and eventually becoming the first Head Boy. After university he became a teacher, later returning to St Peter’s as Head of Science and then as Principal. Bas (Basil) also went on to become Head Boy and today is head of Taranaki Regional Council. Paul is a police officer and involved in police education and Neville works at Tiwai Point near Invercargill. Jo (Joanne) is deputy principal at a girls’ school in Blenheim and Jac teaches in a primary school in Dunedin.
The family’s long association with education continues...
The Chamberlains felt that the Rosminians who were running the school, were ahead of their time in educational and church matters. They worked well with the Mercy Sisters and this new influx of ideas was good for Southland as a whole.
Despite their distance from Gore, the family were always involved with the annual Fair. Joe would bring along half a sheep and Cath was usually to be found selling on the cake stall, having been baking for days beforehand. When fund raising started for the building of the chapel, Joe did a lot of travelling in his area to help raise money. Following his untimely death in the 1980s, son Neville returned home to run the farm for two years and Cath eventually left the farm and settled near family in Invercargill.
And what of the four boys and two girls?
Martin flourished at St Peter’s, making the most of his time there and eventually becoming the first Head Boy. After university he became a teacher, later returning to St Peter’s as Head of Science and then as Principal. Bas (Basil) also went on to become Head Boy and today is head of Taranaki Regional Council. Paul is a police officer and involved in police education and Neville works at Tiwai Point near Invercargill. Jo (Joanne) is deputy principal at a girls’ school in Blenheim and Jac teaches in a primary school in Dunedin.
The family’s long association with education continues...
margaret wilson
Wild goose chases to raise funds are just one of the many recollections that Margaret Wilson has of the role taken by the families in supporting St Peter’s College in the early days. Wild geese in large numbers were a problem on the Nicholson farm at Knapdale and parents would take part in a hilarious and usually muddy round up to catch as many as possible. These were then sold for Easter or Christmas lunches and the money raised helped to support the school and the Fair.
Margaret was a member of the Kubala family, who came to New Zealand from Austria and Czechoslovakia in the 1870s. They moved to Gore in 1903 and settled around Lady Charlton Road. The Kubalas specialised in grass seed and they helped to supply the gear and the seed for laying out the school playing fields.
Margaret’s husband, Bill, was also involved in the fund raising bottle drives, when the Gore streets would be divided up and volunteers went around in trucks collecting empty bottles which could be returned to depots for money. Later when the chapel steps were being constructed, he was to be found helping to lay the concrete despite the fact that the family were in the middle of moving themselves and their business to Alexandra.
When the Rosminian priests and Brothers had arrived in Gore, Margaret became one of the band of “mums”, who looked after the domestic interests of the “boys”. Names were drawn out of a hat and Margaret’s charge was Fr. Bernard Widlake.
The “mums’ helped them to adjust to this totally new environment in New Zealand and gave them a base away from the college. Meals were provided in homes around the town and the Rosminians returned their hospitality with invitations to the evenings at the school.
The Wilsons were also Ascribed Members of the Institute of Charity, set up in the area by the Rosminians to undertake charitable and neighbourly work.
In the early days, Margaret also went into school and helped out teaching sewing to both boys and girls. When the time came for the Fairs, Margaret would be found sewing (she particularly remembers making Gonks!), and baking and finding plants for the plant stall.
The first five of her six children became pupils at the school, before the family moved to Alexandra for a few years. Before SPC was built, Catholic families in Gore had faced the prospect of sending their children away to boarding school in Oamaru or Dunedin. Having a Catholic school here made this disruption and cost unnecessary and was a great help to local families.
Paul Wilson was a first day pupil, followed through the 1970s by Brett, Denise, Karen and Anne. Margaret describes them as a “swimming family”, but they were involved in a wide range of sports teams and all the cultural activities that the school had to offer.
The Rosminians, ever keen to broaden horizons, used to organise activities in the school holidays and would plan and lead trips and excursions here and in the North Island and Stewart Island. Brother Ted also took groups further afield to Fiji. Many parents went along as helpers on these trips and when groups went tramping in Fiordland they usually had a member of the local tramping group along for their expertise. Margaret was asked to go as a parent helper on a trip to Fiordland and having no experience of tramping decided to practice by trekking up and down Frank Street with a backpack loaded with encyclopaedias!
The family’s connections with the school have continued over the years. Denise and Karen both became teachers themselves and Denise’s three daughters were also pupils at SPC. Margaret has continued to attend Blues ceremonies and sports events and has maintained contact with some of the Rosminians who taught here in the early days. She credits them with bringing a wider world to Gore and showing that good education can open the door to that world.
Margaret was a member of the Kubala family, who came to New Zealand from Austria and Czechoslovakia in the 1870s. They moved to Gore in 1903 and settled around Lady Charlton Road. The Kubalas specialised in grass seed and they helped to supply the gear and the seed for laying out the school playing fields.
Margaret’s husband, Bill, was also involved in the fund raising bottle drives, when the Gore streets would be divided up and volunteers went around in trucks collecting empty bottles which could be returned to depots for money. Later when the chapel steps were being constructed, he was to be found helping to lay the concrete despite the fact that the family were in the middle of moving themselves and their business to Alexandra.
When the Rosminian priests and Brothers had arrived in Gore, Margaret became one of the band of “mums”, who looked after the domestic interests of the “boys”. Names were drawn out of a hat and Margaret’s charge was Fr. Bernard Widlake.
The “mums’ helped them to adjust to this totally new environment in New Zealand and gave them a base away from the college. Meals were provided in homes around the town and the Rosminians returned their hospitality with invitations to the evenings at the school.
The Wilsons were also Ascribed Members of the Institute of Charity, set up in the area by the Rosminians to undertake charitable and neighbourly work.
In the early days, Margaret also went into school and helped out teaching sewing to both boys and girls. When the time came for the Fairs, Margaret would be found sewing (she particularly remembers making Gonks!), and baking and finding plants for the plant stall.
The first five of her six children became pupils at the school, before the family moved to Alexandra for a few years. Before SPC was built, Catholic families in Gore had faced the prospect of sending their children away to boarding school in Oamaru or Dunedin. Having a Catholic school here made this disruption and cost unnecessary and was a great help to local families.
Paul Wilson was a first day pupil, followed through the 1970s by Brett, Denise, Karen and Anne. Margaret describes them as a “swimming family”, but they were involved in a wide range of sports teams and all the cultural activities that the school had to offer.
The Rosminians, ever keen to broaden horizons, used to organise activities in the school holidays and would plan and lead trips and excursions here and in the North Island and Stewart Island. Brother Ted also took groups further afield to Fiji. Many parents went along as helpers on these trips and when groups went tramping in Fiordland they usually had a member of the local tramping group along for their expertise. Margaret was asked to go as a parent helper on a trip to Fiordland and having no experience of tramping decided to practice by trekking up and down Frank Street with a backpack loaded with encyclopaedias!
The family’s connections with the school have continued over the years. Denise and Karen both became teachers themselves and Denise’s three daughters were also pupils at SPC. Margaret has continued to attend Blues ceremonies and sports events and has maintained contact with some of the Rosminians who taught here in the early days. She credits them with bringing a wider world to Gore and showing that good education can open the door to that world.
les roughan
Les looks back on his long association with St Peter's College.
At 90, Les Roughan is still playing an active part in the district and his keen memory goes way back beyond the time when St Peter’s College was just a dream for Catholic families in Southland.
With five sons and two daughters, the prospect of sending them all out of the area to boarding school was quite a daunting one. When the idea of building a school in Gore was being turned into a reality, Les was happy to contribute in any way he could and son Trevor became a first day pupil. Les was delighted that the school was co-educational, as it meant that his daughters could attend as well and the sliding scale of fees, was a great help to families with several children.
Les and his wife Joan and family lived at Mataura at the time and the arrival of the Rosminian priests in the area meant that Mataura got its own parish, much to his satisfaction.
When the school was up and running, a PTFA was formed and Les became its second chairman, after John Finn. Successful fundraising by the PTFA helped to develop the school and keep it running and the new hall was built while Les was chairman.
Les has fond memories of the many “characters” who peopled St Peter’s over the years. Brother Ted in particular, he describes as “like an atomic bomb” when it came to money. One day he remembers him calling a meeting of the PTFA and announcing that they were going to have a Fair. This wasn’t going to be a small affair, but would be constructed like a township with proper shops - and so in the end it was.
Brother Ted never let them back off – his philosophy was that you had to spend to raise money and he brought a film from England to show them the kind of thing he had in mind. The Fair has gone on to prove itself year after year as a most successful fundraiser.
After three years of heading up the PTFA, Les held the role of Chairman of the Fair Committee for twelve years. In its second year they insured the day of the Fair against bad weather, but the sun shone, so they didn’t go to those lengths again.
Supporting St Peter’s was very much a family affair and his wife Joan also went on to Chair the PTFA at the time the new tennis courts were opened. Fundraising for the chapel building came next and Joan volunteered Les to make the steps up to the chapel. When he had a look at the site, Les knew how to do the concreting, but couldn’t work out how to box it all in to start with. Time to call in a local builder to help set it all up and then Les and other volunteers were able to lay the concrete. The steps are still in daily use today.
Les’s activities weren’t confined to his “day job” of farming and to the school. He has had a lifelong association with dog trialing and still works four dogs today. He also found time to be on the Te Tipua School Committee for twenty years.
Since the 1970s, not only have six of his children passed through the St Peter’s, but they have been followed by a dozen grandchildren, including Kylie Morrison and Amy Weir, both Head Girls. Amy later returned as a member of staff. They have all benefited from the great input of that earlier generation, in particular, stalwarts like Les.
At 90, Les Roughan is still playing an active part in the district and his keen memory goes way back beyond the time when St Peter’s College was just a dream for Catholic families in Southland.
With five sons and two daughters, the prospect of sending them all out of the area to boarding school was quite a daunting one. When the idea of building a school in Gore was being turned into a reality, Les was happy to contribute in any way he could and son Trevor became a first day pupil. Les was delighted that the school was co-educational, as it meant that his daughters could attend as well and the sliding scale of fees, was a great help to families with several children.
Les and his wife Joan and family lived at Mataura at the time and the arrival of the Rosminian priests in the area meant that Mataura got its own parish, much to his satisfaction.
When the school was up and running, a PTFA was formed and Les became its second chairman, after John Finn. Successful fundraising by the PTFA helped to develop the school and keep it running and the new hall was built while Les was chairman.
Les has fond memories of the many “characters” who peopled St Peter’s over the years. Brother Ted in particular, he describes as “like an atomic bomb” when it came to money. One day he remembers him calling a meeting of the PTFA and announcing that they were going to have a Fair. This wasn’t going to be a small affair, but would be constructed like a township with proper shops - and so in the end it was.
Brother Ted never let them back off – his philosophy was that you had to spend to raise money and he brought a film from England to show them the kind of thing he had in mind. The Fair has gone on to prove itself year after year as a most successful fundraiser.
After three years of heading up the PTFA, Les held the role of Chairman of the Fair Committee for twelve years. In its second year they insured the day of the Fair against bad weather, but the sun shone, so they didn’t go to those lengths again.
Supporting St Peter’s was very much a family affair and his wife Joan also went on to Chair the PTFA at the time the new tennis courts were opened. Fundraising for the chapel building came next and Joan volunteered Les to make the steps up to the chapel. When he had a look at the site, Les knew how to do the concreting, but couldn’t work out how to box it all in to start with. Time to call in a local builder to help set it all up and then Les and other volunteers were able to lay the concrete. The steps are still in daily use today.
Les’s activities weren’t confined to his “day job” of farming and to the school. He has had a lifelong association with dog trialing and still works four dogs today. He also found time to be on the Te Tipua School Committee for twenty years.
Since the 1970s, not only have six of his children passed through the St Peter’s, but they have been followed by a dozen grandchildren, including Kylie Morrison and Amy Weir, both Head Girls. Amy later returned as a member of staff. They have all benefited from the great input of that earlier generation, in particular, stalwarts like Les.
elaine kelly
“The most satisfying thing is to have brought up a family that you’re proud of”, said Elaine Kelly, when she was once asked to give a talk on being the mother of a large family. With eight children, she knew what she was talking about!
Originally from Edendale, Elaine still remembers first hearing about the proposed new Catholic boys’ school for the area, when the priests came round in the early 1960s collecting funds for it. Elaine had married David O’Neill in 1965, but fate intervened and the following year she was widowed and left with two small sons. However, sustained by her faith, she rallied and embraced her new situation and in 1969 married Brian Kelly and moved to the Gore area.
During the following years, Elaine and Brian’s growing family of five sons and three daughters went to Knapdale School and by then they were able to go on to St Peter’s Form 1 equivalent. The boys all had time at the boarding Hostel to practise living away from home and for the sports. Elaine became involved with the PTFA and the Fair Committee. Brother Ted’s ability to charm goods from shopkeepers, to sell at the Fair, was legendary, but after his untimely death, it fell to the Fair Committee to do the same job. Luckily, being from a farming family, Elaine had many contacts among suppliers, which made the task less daunting. On one occasion the Fair was held in very bad weather and many visitors left early, but when the takings were counted, they weren’t down at all – such was the support for it in the community.
Elaine’s involvement increased when she was invited on to the Board of Governors as “an ordinary mother”. She remembers that in those days she didn’t have a lot of confidence and felt intimidated being the only woman on a board of professional men. However, Father White encouraged her to speak out on issues that she felt strongly about and her confidence began to grow. Because of Board of Governor experience, she became a Board of Trustees member and with the support of her husband Brian, was involved for about 15 years. When “Tomorrow’s Schools” was introduced, St Peter’s was very well prepared by the then Principal, Mr Kerry Henderson, so the process was very smooth. She does recall that there were a huge number of policy meetings involved on reaching goals and objectives – “putting into words what was already happening in our school because of the dedication and commitment of our staff”.
During her 15 years on the Board, she saw the culture change in St Peter’s as different principals came and went. From a time when the emphasis was on academic results and sport, to a time when the arts were promoted with music and public speaking, which became ‘cool’ for boys as well as girls.
Her own children were pupils at St Peter’s over 25 years – John, who was deputy Head Boy, went on to become Southland manager for PGG Wrightson, Stephen is an accountant, Simon is farming and Dominic is an aircraft engineer. Julian manages a big farm and sisters Natalie and Catherine are both farming too. Justine, who had been Head Girl at school, went on to become a lawyer.
Not a bad achievement for an “ordinary mother”. Elaine maintains that she looks back on the St Peter’s experience for her family through rose coloured glasses, because “for our family as a whole, it worked”.
Originally from Edendale, Elaine still remembers first hearing about the proposed new Catholic boys’ school for the area, when the priests came round in the early 1960s collecting funds for it. Elaine had married David O’Neill in 1965, but fate intervened and the following year she was widowed and left with two small sons. However, sustained by her faith, she rallied and embraced her new situation and in 1969 married Brian Kelly and moved to the Gore area.
During the following years, Elaine and Brian’s growing family of five sons and three daughters went to Knapdale School and by then they were able to go on to St Peter’s Form 1 equivalent. The boys all had time at the boarding Hostel to practise living away from home and for the sports. Elaine became involved with the PTFA and the Fair Committee. Brother Ted’s ability to charm goods from shopkeepers, to sell at the Fair, was legendary, but after his untimely death, it fell to the Fair Committee to do the same job. Luckily, being from a farming family, Elaine had many contacts among suppliers, which made the task less daunting. On one occasion the Fair was held in very bad weather and many visitors left early, but when the takings were counted, they weren’t down at all – such was the support for it in the community.
Elaine’s involvement increased when she was invited on to the Board of Governors as “an ordinary mother”. She remembers that in those days she didn’t have a lot of confidence and felt intimidated being the only woman on a board of professional men. However, Father White encouraged her to speak out on issues that she felt strongly about and her confidence began to grow. Because of Board of Governor experience, she became a Board of Trustees member and with the support of her husband Brian, was involved for about 15 years. When “Tomorrow’s Schools” was introduced, St Peter’s was very well prepared by the then Principal, Mr Kerry Henderson, so the process was very smooth. She does recall that there were a huge number of policy meetings involved on reaching goals and objectives – “putting into words what was already happening in our school because of the dedication and commitment of our staff”.
During her 15 years on the Board, she saw the culture change in St Peter’s as different principals came and went. From a time when the emphasis was on academic results and sport, to a time when the arts were promoted with music and public speaking, which became ‘cool’ for boys as well as girls.
Her own children were pupils at St Peter’s over 25 years – John, who was deputy Head Boy, went on to become Southland manager for PGG Wrightson, Stephen is an accountant, Simon is farming and Dominic is an aircraft engineer. Julian manages a big farm and sisters Natalie and Catherine are both farming too. Justine, who had been Head Girl at school, went on to become a lawyer.
Not a bad achievement for an “ordinary mother”. Elaine maintains that she looks back on the St Peter’s experience for her family through rose coloured glasses, because “for our family as a whole, it worked”.