Precious memories preserved in diaries

By Sandra Haigh, Community Heritage

Mabel or Mabs Kelly (nee Precious) lived in Ōmokoroa from around 1963 to 2000

Mabel’s parents, Edward and Margaret, emigrated from England Edward worked for a time as a blacksmith in Katikati Mabel’s brothers Jack and Stan Precious farmed in Woodlands Road for many years, then moved to Mt Maunganui with their mother Margaret and sister Mabel before finally settling in Ōmokoroa in around 1963

Mabel spent many years with the Country Women’s Institute, becoming President of the Ōmokoroa branch She was an extremely capable woman, having run the Woodlands Road farm during the war when the men were away, then in later years hosting lunch and dinner parties, managing the accounts for the Tauranga County Council for ten years, and playing a great game of golf

The Western Bay Community Archives is privileged to have received Mabs’ di- aries which span many years, from 1965 to 1994 Her life in Ōmokoroa, the joy she took in her family, golf and the CWI is evident in her words The diaries provide a unique insight into life in Ōmokoroa when it was a small beach settlement

Mabel’s brothers Jack and Stan Precious farmed on property at Ōmokoroa which was later subdivided into orchards Part of the property is where the Ōmokoroa Country Estate is now and another portion was purchased by Mr Cooney who later donated part of his land to the Community Church

The Precious brothers left not only the Precious Family Reserve to the community, but also provided a tertiary scholarship of $1500 for local students which is administered by the Ōmokoroa Lions Club

Many thanks to granddaughter Anderley Middleton for the donation of Mabs’ diaries They can be viewed at the Western Bay Archives Room at Katikati Please contact 027 243 8439 or sandra haigh@westernbay govt nz