Farewell To The Robertsons Of Waimangaroa

• Published date: 24 May 2023

The couple married 76 years ago and have lived at their house in McGill Street for 74 of them

They met at a dance at the Waimangaroa Hall, which Mr Robertson travelled off 'the Hill' for.

"They called us the 'brylcreem boys!'" When they wed in 1947, they first lived with Frank's sister, Abbie Curragh, for two years in the house he had built for her family. He then worked on their own home at weekends which they later moved into.

"I was the helper!" Mrs Robertson said.

Frank qualified as a builder working in the mines in Denniston. He was born in Fifeshire in Scotland and arrived at Coalbrookdale on the Denniston Plateau as a two-year-old. He moved to Waimangaroa when he married. He retired the day he turned 60.

After 97 years of living entirely in Waimangaroa, Cath (nee' Queripel) is apprehensive about leaving the beloved town.

The couple had four sons who all married local girls. Paul married Evelyn Luff and now live in Christchurch. David married Margaret Coyne and lives in Wellington. Peter married the late Sue Struthers and remains in Westport, as does Tony, who married Helen Murphy.

The Robertsons were fully immersed in the Waimangaroa community. Mrs Robertson has just received recognition for 71 years' membership of Country Women's Institute, now known as Women's Institute. They were also custodians of the Waimangaroa Hall until recently.

"I helped build it in 1941-42," Mr Robertson said.

Mr Robertson belonged to the Freemasons for 71 years. He was also an active member of St John.

"I joined as a 15-year-old in 1939."

He was also the first officially trained ambulance officer: "I had to go to Auckland to train."

They have also been involved in Denniston's Friends of the Hill since it began.

The couple has watched as family and friends have passed away or just moved from the village. At one stage, Mr Robertson had six brothers and their families living in Waimangaroa. He was one of 11 and is the only one remaining. Just two nieces live there now - Nancy Anderson lives several doors down the street while Betty Garing about 500m as the crow flies. Betty has visited every morning for many years 'for a cup of tea and to help out'.

"We've just had to make new friends!"...