Interview with Ethnee (Bud) O'Malley.
(OHInt-0403-4)

Ethnee (Bud) O'Malley was born in 1917 in the Lyall Bay house where this interview took place and has never lived away from the house. Explains nickname. Describes her family background including great grandfather Edward Wentworth Lamb, a remittance man, and paternal grandparents Louisa and Charles Reeves from Blenheim. Talks about her maternal grandfather who had a flax mill in Pelorus Sound and her maternal grandmother Anna Gould, a nurse and midwife who emigrated from Waterford in Ireland and read cups and cards. Describes parents Leonard and Ellen Reeves (nee Gould) who came to Lyall Bay during World War I after running a hotel in Ohakune. Details mother's work nursing and laying out people, especially during the 1918 flu epidemic. Discusses parents' marriage - mother Catholic, father non-Catholic. Talks about family reaction to mixed marriage and also to cousin marrying a Maori woman. Gives details of own birth and discusses education at St Catherine's School. Describe Lyall Bay during childhood as a holiday place, mentioning going to the beach and surf lifesaving clubs and carnivals. Outlines parents' activities during the Depression. Gives details of car trips and other family outings.

Describes house in detail during childhood and now; it was built in 1917 to mother's design, some alterations since but little changed. Talks about home heating, gas, electricity and califont. Describes large garden during childhood. Talks about house built for grandmother where garden was while another grandmother lived with the family. Recalls own reaction to suggestion of building townhouses on the section. Recalls Centennial Exhibition and relations staying. Talks about sister Gladys Barrett who was a singer and her husband Laddie Barrett. Gives details of playing with brother Tom Reeves and being a tomboy. Discusses his later work as the owner of butchers shops. Refers to Graeme Reeves, MP.

Describes family routines - bathing and hygiene, Christmas, father and mother cooking, home help Mrs Hunter. Talks about being the first in Lyall Bay to get a Beattie washing machine. Describes active social life, lack of education about sex and menstruation. Discusses religion, reaction to corporal punishment at school and discipline at home. Details family's interest in rugby and involvement in other sports. Mentions Majestic wireless. Talks about reading, listening to the radio and family musical evenings and games evenings - mentions euchre, 500 and crown and anchor, sometimes fundraising for school or church. Discusses alcohol and betting on horse races. Mentions marae on Queen's Drive. Talks about mother's heart condition.

Lists neighbours and talks about Williamson family. Discusses childhood friends, especially Joan Dudley. Describes rivalry between state and Catholic schools. Discusses her own and parents' smoking - refers to Pioneer Association. Describes meeting husband Brian O'Malley in 1934. Talks about continuing to live at home with parents after marriage in 1939 and after husband returned from World War II. Recalls working for Lee Brothers from 1934-1943 and friendship with Noreen and Olly Lee.

Gives details of local shops and deliveries. Recalls Mrs Pie's shop. Talks about Hope Gibbons and Martindale families. Comments that the main changes in the street have been the conversion of houses with big sections to townhouses or flats. Talks about the effect of her husband's death, mentioning his war injury. Outlines her involvement with St Catherine's College as the chief supervisor for school certificate and trade exams. Talks about her children and family gatherings. Gives reasons for liking living in the house. Mentions daily attendance at mass.