Preliminary Notes for Desree Sorensen
Born at Wilson Carlisle Home in Dec 1931.
Father worked 42 yrs at NZ Dairy Co.
Mother worked at a photographers, at Hallensteins, and for an accountant.
One sister.
Vaguely recalls Garden Place Hill, then Patriotic Hut, then car park.
Went to Hamilton East Primary School aged 5, remembers planting silver birch trees
around the school.
Recalls the day a Lancaster Bomber flew over Hamilton.
Went to Hamilton High School aged 12, remembers flag lowering ceremony at school as names
of war dead read out.
Not allowed to go to the movies with boys while at high school.
Played basketball on Sat, Collingwood St.
Worked in BNZ Feb 1947-1955 (now The Bank Restaurant) as junior girl, used to carry
bags of money between main and Hamilton North Branch (London St). Aged only 15 and
remembers having 2000 pounds on her.
Member of Melodeons Choir, sang at opening of Hamilton's first radio station, Alma St,
aged 18. Choir travelled to Rotorua and won competition. Sang for 1950 making of
"Hamilton City of Progress" movie.
Held choir practise above Centreway Tearooms.
Dances on Sat night, Regent Ballroom, YMCA. Not allowed to go until 16, chaperoned.
Pictures on Wed and Sat nights, Royal Picture Theatre, Civic. Used to gather at the Monte
Carlo milkbar beforehand.
Vienna Tearooms- sardines on toast.
Borrowed cars to get to balls, had parties beforehand, member of Bank ball committee, held
at CAC Hall on Peachgrove Rd. (no alcohol allowed).
Golf balls at Matangi.
Remembers rowing regattas held in Jan, Soldiers Park (Memorial Park) on ANZAC Day,
trees had tags with names of WWI soldiers on.
Recalls building of Riverina Hotel stopped during WWII due to shortage of materials.
Melville just being established.
Strict authority between parents and kids, friend got pregnant at 17 and had to go away up
Auckland for birth.
Thought terribly daring to sneak booze, or go up to Auckland. Safe to walk home at night.
Fashion- new dress, hat, handbag, gloves, shoes.
Remembers shops on Victoria St.- Mackenzie's, McDuffs, Woolworths, 5 and 10 cent
stores.
Left for Cambridge in 1955 aged 24.
See Also