How the Society’s annual Garden Party began

As the Tauranga Historical Society prepares for their annual Garden Party, to be held on Sunday March 1st, let’s look back at the Society’s first garden party which took place on Saturday December 1st, 1979.

Garden party visitors at the Brain Watkins House, 1 December 1979
Image: Tauranga Historical Society Collection

Hailed as a ‘Victorianarama Garden Party and Picnic’ the invitation promised entertainment for ‘edification and pleasure’ and included the Otumoetai College Choir, a piano accordionist and an organist. Undine Clarke’s dancers were also part of the line-up. Undine, ‘who pioneered the art of dance in Tauranga’, taught ballet, Spanish, musical comedy, ballroom and traditional highland and on the day her students performed ‘period and national dances’, no doubt on the grass between the flower beds. Spinning and weaving demonstrations also kept the crowd, of approximately 150 people, entertained.

Otumoetai College Girls’ Choir with Bob Addison, who was a teacher at the College at that time
Image: Tauranga Historical Society Collection

Spinning and weaving demonstration under the pack porch of the Brain Watkins House
Image: Tauranga Historical Society Collection

Several prizes were awarded to those who came in Victorian dress. According to The Bay of Plenty Times “the best dressed Victorian lady was Mrs Fay Steel of Welcome Bay, wearing the wedding dress of Mrs Harry Graham’s grandmother. Mr B.C. Julian won the best dressed gentleman’s prize and the child’s prize was won by Becky Hyde. Miss Violet Macmillan wore the best Victorian bonnet.”

Mrs Fay Steel and Mr B.C. Julian, winners of the period attire competition
Image: Brain Watkins Collection

Although on the day a great deal of fun was had there was a serious side to the gathering. The goal being to introduce members of the Tauranga Historical Society to the Brain Watkins House. Earlier that year the house had been gifted to the Society by Mrs Elva Brain Watkins. Society President Mr Eagle was reported as saying, “we are still flexible in our plans. It is up to our members to suggest how they would like to see the house used.”

Mrs Flo Pearson and Mr Duff Maxwell of The Elms Mission House wearing Archdeacon Brown’s top hat with Mrs Pat Eveson, the well-known TV personality

More than 40 years later the Society continues to maintain the house for the enjoyment of Tauranga residents and of course hosts a fabulous Garden Party every year.

Talented dancers perform moves from the 1950’s at the Tauranga Historical Society’s Vintage Garden Party, Sunday 3 March 2019
Image: Lee Switzer, Private Collection