Monday, 31 December 2012
aground on the notorious Middleton Reef,
Middleditch, that is a great account of the Runic’s stranding and brings to mind a story that I have posted before about another stranding
There was a mad mariner, a Welshman named Irfon Nicholas who sailed from Europe to Auckland via various ports in a 30 odd foot Ferro-cement yacht that had the charming name of “Sospan Fach”, Welsh for little saucepan and named after a little ditty that the town of Llanelli is famous for.
It is supposed to be the most famous nonsense song sung at Welsh rugby union matches.
Apparently Irfron’s crew left him in Auckland and when it became time to move on to Sydney he advertised in the local paper for new recruits and took on an Australian male and two NZ women all in search of adventure.
I remember the bloke, a reticent sort of character, and his boat, a doubtful example of a sound craft, and the sort of boat that we used to call a floating septic tank.
The skipper left Auckland in 1974 without notifying the local Marine Authorities and getting a certificate of sea worthiness, headed to North Cape before setting a westerly course toward Australia and by this time he had already started to quarrel with his crew. Some time after the drama that follows I remember reading that the crew expressed doubts about his navigational skills and were told that to get to Australia you just sailed to the top of NZ, turned left and sailed to the best weather advantage until you sighted Aussie then coast down to Sydney!!
Needless to say that plan did not work and they finished up going aground on the notorious Middleton Reef, graveyard to many ships, one of the biggest being the “Runic” that went aground during a cyclone in 1961. Luckily for “Sospan Fach” crew they were able to find shelter and food on a nearby Japanese trawler wreck “Fuku Maru” that ran aground in 1963 in high seas. This wreck has been replenished with supplies and used as a food cache for ship wrecked sailors ever since.
They were eventually able to signal a passing ship and get rescued..
Shipwreck of the yacht Sospan Fach on Middleton Reef in 1974.
Subject: Shipwreck of the yacht Sospan Fach on Middleton Reef in 1974.
Category: Miscellaneous
Asked by: kentheavonman-ga
List Price: $50.00 Posted: 09 Oct 2003 19:31 PDT
Expires: 08 Nov 2003 18:31 PST
Question ID: 264782
In June of 1974, four people were plucked from Middleton Reef. They
had attempted to cross from Auckland, NA to Sydney, AU, in a
ferro-cement yacht called the Sospan Fach. Skipper Irfon Nicholas.
Passengers Peter Lindemayer, Christine Braham, and Geraldine York.
Nicholas was a Brit. Graham was an Aussie from Adelaide. The other two
were, I believe New Zealanders. I need as much information as I can
gather on the people and the vessel. Thank you. Ken Lord.
Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 11 Oct 2003 10:06 PDT
I've unearthed only one newspaper article about this incident, from
June 18, 1974. The article is a few hundred words in length, and
contains:
--some details of the foursome's survival -- what they ate, how long
they were stranded
--the length of the yacht
--the identity of the rescuing ship
--how the survivors signaled the rescuing ship
--a bit of background on the people themselves, but not much.
Nationalities are given, one is identified as a former school teacher
--there was apparently quite a bit of tension between Irfon and the
rest, even before the wreck, and some information about this is given
as well.
All in all, there's some good detail in the article, but it certainly
doesn't go into a great deal of depth. Would you like me to post this
information as an answer to your question?
Clarification of Question by kentheavonman-ga on 11 Oct 2003 22:12 PDT
Probably I have this, as I have articles from NZ Herald, AU Herald,
Adelaide News, Auckland Star, etc, for 6/12/74 and about 2 weeks
thereafter.
What I think I need is the ad that was run in an Auckland Paper. I
will need to know something about the tension -- so go ahead and post
it. Nicholas apparently had some reputation at Auckland. I need to
know about that. Did he build the boat? Whose plans? Records of sea
rescue services. Peter Warner of the ATA (vessel). Any background on
the four before the voyage? Any follow up in the weeks post June 12,
1974. Any way to find the four people? My search of telephone numbers
gives me nothing.
Thanks.
Ken Lord
Clarification of Question by kentheavonman-ga on 11 Oct 2003 22:18 PDT
Was the Sospan Fach registered? I know it did not pass customs or give
notification of the sea journey. But was it registered? If so, what
was the registration? Is air and sea rescue reachable about this
either in NZ or AU? There is some reference to an Air Base in AU.
Where is it? Is the ATA still working? Is Peter Warner still alive and
working and can he be found?
Thanks.
Ken Lord
Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 12 Oct 2003 17:03 PDT
Clearly, I can only make a very meager addition to the information you
already have. So here's the little bit I found about the
in-fighting...you can have it gratis:
According to a newspaper article dated June 18, 1974:
The rescued were the Welsh skipper Irfon Nicholas, 38, Australians
Peter Lindenmayer, 18, and Christine Braham, 23, and Geraldine Yorke,
23, of
New Zealand. Nicholas' had gotten the crew together by advertising...
...Nicholas said he quarreled with his crew on April 9, two days after
they left New Zealand, and after that they rarely spoke to him. "I
had to get aggressive and to swear to stay in command", he said. "I
was glad when we were
rescued, so I would have someone to talk to at last".
The Sospan Fach saga 1974
The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982)
of luck and bad management - and some desperate praying
ONE OF THE STRANGEST tales of the sea is the story of the two girls, boy, and man, with all too little sailing experience, who set out to cross the Tasman Sea to Sydney in a yacht
and were marooned for six weeks on Middleton Reef, 300 miles from Australia and 800 miles off course. JEAN DEBELLE talked o them after their rescue.
"MANO here, he's the one who saved us," said Peter Lindenmay er, cheerfully hugging the stocky Tongan fisherman. Mano just grinned.
It was Mano Totau who first saw the signal from the wreck of the Japanese fishing-boat that led to the rescue of the crew of the Sospan Fach.
When the survivors landed at Ballina, northern New South Wales, there was an emotional reunion with family and friends - who had giv en them up for dead.
As a backdrop to the intense excitement, Tongan crewmen strummed island
music on guitars. Peter Lindenmayer. (18). of Melbourne, had. with Christine Braham. (25) of Adelaide and Geraldine York. (19). of Auckland, answered an advertisement
pinned to the wall of a New Zealand youth hostel.
The advertisement sought three girls to crew a ferro-cement sloop, the Sospan Fach, from Auckland to Sydney, with its owner-builder Irfon Nicholas.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/46242362
Saturday, 27 October 2012
A book full of Cardwell St memories
When Beryl Parker and Patricia Tee finally decided to put pen to paper after 70 years they had no idea their project would take on a life of its own.
The lifelong friends have been digging up the family roots of the early residents of Onehunga's Cardwell St - where they grew up - for a book for their families.
Mrs Parker, who lived at No 13, says the book has been a real labour of love.
"The best bit about it has been bringing us all back together. It has been over 70 years for some people."
When Mrs Tee, who still lives in Onehunga, came down with bronchitis she thought the best way to occupy her time would be to take a trip down memory lane.
"When Beryl came to visit me she said I could just about write a whole book with all the memories I had written about and that was that."
Other former residents and their families jumped on board to contribute stories and photos.
Few people will remember a time when two cars driving through Onehunga in one day was considered heavy traffic, but this bunch do.
"It was such a different time. The children in Cardwell St played together out in the street and we knew all of our neighbours."
"How many people would know their neighbours now?" Mrs Parker says.
"No one thought to lock their doors when they went out. Anyone could enter a house and help himself or herself to a glass of water."
The former Epsom Girls Grammar students would spend hours flying kites and tobogganing down the slopes of One Tree Hill on nikau palm sleds.
The friendships formed on that street have lasted a lifetime, Mrs Parker says.
"Even though our lives have taken different paths, when we meet it is like a reunion of brothers and sisters."
To their surprise, the 74-year-olds have started receiving requests from others interested in getting their hands on a copy of the book.
But for Mrs Tee, who lived at No 6, the book was just a great opportunity to show her family where they came from.
"We take it for granted that our children know about their family history. It's given us something to pass on to our children and grandchildren," she says.
"My childhood and adolescent years in Cardwell St were some of the happiest times of my life."
- © Fairfax NZ News JESS LEE
Last updated 05:00 24/10/2012 http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/central-leader/7851945/A-book-full-of-Cardwell-St-memories
Love affair comes to an end
Darryl Kirby's 50-year love affair with a former post office will come to an end on Wednesday when the 103-year-old building goes to auction.
Mr Kirby first saw the Epsom Post Office in the early 1960s.
He'd just arrived in New Zealand and the bus he caught to work would stop outside.
"I was quite struck by it," he says.
"I would say quietly to myself ‘one day I will own you'.
"Of course it was a government building so I never expected I would, but 23 years later I did."
The unexpected opportunity came in 1990 when the the government started selling off post offices.
Mr Kirby and his wife Valerie soon realised that placing the winning bid at auction wasn't the biggest hurdle they'd face.
The building hadn't been well looked after and it needed refurbishing before they could run their advertising business from it.
"There was quite a lot of opposition from the locals, all sorts of rumours were flying around about what would happen with ‘our post office'," he says.
"In the end I got the builder to put the plans on a board outside, it died down after that."
The renovations included restoring the old windows, building new offices and a deck and creating a false ceiling to cover the worn out original.
"The architect said the ceiling would be too hard to restore but it's still under there," he says.
Mr Kirby got two letters from councillors commending the work when it was complete which still hang in the post office's reception area.
He scored another victory in the battle for hearts and minds when he started giving out free stamps at the reception desk.
"For quite a long time after it wasn't a post office any more a lot of the older people would turn up almost out of habit wanting stamps.
"It was illegal to sell them so in the end I got the receptionist to buy a couple of books and give them out when they came in."
Mr Kirby was once being interviewed outside the office by television personality Paul Holmes for a story about the government's sell-offs when an older woman marched into reception, slapped some money on the counter and asked for stamps.
"The camera crew was completely gobsmaked," he says
"The receptionist quickly obliged."
Making the decision to sell was tough Mr Kirby says.
"It's the only other property apart from my home that I've never wanted to sell. My wife says it's been the other woman in my life."
He says he is a hands-on property owner and likes to get involved with the maintenance.
"I'm 22 years older now and my wife and I would like to slow down."
The building has a Historic Places Trust category two classification.
Somebody who appreciates the history of the building would be the ideal buyer, Mr Kirby says.
Facades on the outside of the post office can't be touched but almost anything can be done inside.
"I would hate to see somebody buy it and paint is some hideous colour," he says.
The Epsom Post Office will be auctioned by Bayleys on October 31.
See bayleys.co.nz for information.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/central-leader/7862153/Love-affair-comes-to-an-end/
EMMA WHITTAKER
Last updated 05:00 26/10/2012
- © Fairfax NZ News
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Anna (Mary) Yandall
YANDALL, Anna (Mary). Always beautiful, kind and caring with a voice of an Angel and a heart as big as the world. You will be greatly missed by everyone whose lives you touched. Our love and our prayers go out to Adele, Pauline and families. Billy T (deceased) and Lynn James.
Published in The New Zealand Herald on February 1, 2012
Anna Mary Yandall
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. Passed away peacefully at 1:41am on Monday 30 January 2012 at Auckland Hospital, surrounded by her family. Darling second daughter of the late Nova Shirley (Phineas) and Tanuvasa James Alfred Yandall. Beautiful and much loved sister of the late Caroline, Adele, Pauline, Dan, Graham, Josephine, Elizabeth, Mark, Ben and their families. Anna Mary will lay in state at the family home. Her funeral service will be held at the Pacific Islanders Presbyterian Church, 2 Edinburgh Street, Newton, Auckland on Friday 3 February 2012 at 10:00am, to be followed by interment at Waikumete Cemetery. All communications to: 021-0829-6833 or 021-211-7089. Nick Bakulich Funeral Director
Published in The New Zealand Herald on January 31, 2012
Mary Yandall
| Visit Guest Book
YANDALL, Mary Dearly loved niece to Bill & Mema and much loved cousin to Willie, Blanche, Wayne, Peter, Sylvia,Tim & families.A wonderfully brave & vivacioius woman who always gave selflessly.We will miss you a lot, but forever treasure the love and laughter.
Published in The New Zealand Herald on February 1, 2012
Mary Yandall
YANDALL, Mary. To our dearest cousin Mary, the suddenness of your departure from us is unfair. However we rejoice in the memories you have left us with. We recall the stories you would tell us in the backrooms of Dryden Street, while our parents would be upfront laughing and enjoying each other's company. Lasting memories of a larger than life person, with a strong voice who always made us proud. You will be missed but not forgotten. Love the Ioanes, Uncle Sefulu, Aunty Josie, cousins John, Sam, Frances, Eddie, Sandra, David and families.
Published in The New Zealand Herald on February 2, 2012
Mary Yandall
YANDALL, Mary. Forever in our hearts. Love Aunty Ida and Uncle Bill Smith and family.
Published in The New Zealand Herald on February 1, 2012
Anna Mary Yandall
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. Passed away peacefully at 1:41am on Monday 30 January 2012 at Auckland Hospital, surrounded by her family. Darling second daughter of the late Nova Shirley (Phineas) and Tanuvasa James Alfred Yandall. Beautiful and much loved sister of the late Caroline, Adele, Pauline, Dan, Graham, Josephine, Elizabeth, Mark, Ben and their families. Anna Mary will lay in state at the family home. Her funeral service will be held at the Pacific Islanders Presbyterian Church, 2 Edinburgh Street, Newton, Auckland on Friday 3 February 2012 at 10:00am, to be followed by interment at Waikumete Cemetery. All communications to: 021-0829-6833 or 021-211-7089. Nick Bakulich Funeral Director
Published in The New Zealand Herald on January 31, 2012
Mary Yandall
| Visit Guest Book
YANDALL, Mary Dearly loved niece to Bill & Mema and much loved cousin to Willie, Blanche, Wayne, Peter, Sylvia,Tim & families.A wonderfully brave & vivacioius woman who always gave selflessly.We will miss you a lot, but forever treasure the love and laughter.
Published in The New Zealand Herald on February 1, 2012
Mary Yandall
YANDALL, Mary. To our dearest cousin Mary, the suddenness of your departure from us is unfair. However we rejoice in the memories you have left us with. We recall the stories you would tell us in the backrooms of Dryden Street, while our parents would be upfront laughing and enjoying each other's company. Lasting memories of a larger than life person, with a strong voice who always made us proud. You will be missed but not forgotten. Love the Ioanes, Uncle Sefulu, Aunty Josie, cousins John, Sam, Frances, Eddie, Sandra, David and families.
Published in The New Zealand Herald on February 2, 2012
Mary Yandall
YANDALL, Mary. Forever in our hearts. Love Aunty Ida and Uncle Bill Smith and family.
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. Passed away on 30th January 2012. Now in the presence of the Lord you loved so dearly. Faithful to your God, your parents, your loving family and your craft. Mary, you too were taken too soon but forever loved by your cousins Nova, Nolan, Edgar, Laumatau and families. Beloved niece of both the late Galumalemana Fred and Caroline Reid. Manuia lou Malaga.
Published in: New Zealand Herald
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. To our dearest and greatest Aunty Mary. We love and miss you so much but we know you are in safe hands reunited with Mum, Dad, Aunty Carol and the loved ones who were called on before us, with and in the kingdom of God. Words can't describe who or what you are to us because your smile says it all. You have touched many hearts with your grace, joy, wisdom, amazing vocals and more. Thank you for always being there, sharing your unconditional love and support. Glad we had our share of amazing laughs, special moments and memories with you. Rest pain free, easy and in heavenly peace. Until we meet in paradise Aunty Mary. In the words of you and Grandpa - amazing. Lots of love, God Bless you, Ben, Lesley, Benjamin and Patricia - the Ng family.
Published in: New Zealand Herald
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. A true soldier for God and family. Our loving sister's final days were spent peacefully and with grace. Her smile lighting up the room every time a pineapple iceblock appeared. A life in the service of the Lord gave Mary great pleasure and Mary's great talents gave the rest of us joy. Dear Mary, from stand up shouting to prolonged hugs, we had a true and loving relationship with you. You helped us embrace the family, showed us that respect is shared and how God keeps our family together. You had the strength of your convictions; your help with Dad in his last years was beyond measure. We love you and will miss you deeply. Our family choir has one less angelic voice but the Heavenly Choir is the richer. We will always love you Mary, your brothers Mark and Kavin.
Published in: New Zealand Herald
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. Dearest Aunty Mary, gone too soon, but so happy for the time we shared with you. Although you had no children of your own, you were a mother to us and raised us from when we were babies. Your passion for music, your family and your God is truly inspiring and you are truly a great soldier of God. Not a day will go by that we don't think of you, and know you are rejoicing and singing in heaven with Nana, Grandpa and Aunty Carol. Always in our hearts until we meet again, manuia lou malaga, the Solomonas.
Published in: New Zealand Herald
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. To our darling sister and aunty, Now that God has called you home, we can rejoice that you are now at peace. We shall cherish your legacy of faith and indomitable will in the face of adversity. You will be forever missed, not only by those who loved you, but the many that have been touched by your voice. Forever in our hearts. Vesi, Phina, Leona, John, Laumatau, Jane, Jerry and young David and Darius.
Published in: New Zealand Herald
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. Dearest Mary, even in adversity your spirit was strong and you sang praises even as your body faltered. You leave a huge hole but your love and courage is forever etched on our hearts. Till we meet again. Your loving brother Graham and Caroline.
Published in: New Zealand Herald
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. May the angels be singing as they greet you at heaven's gate. Dan and Kathleen, Daniel Jnr and Charlotte, Anita, Delia, Karina Yandall. Rest In Peace.
Published in: New Zealand Herald
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. To our most beautiful lady. (Aunty) Mary, it has always been our honour and privilege to serve and care for you in our home. You have touched our family with such a deep and rich love like no other that only God will see us through the pain of your absence. Thank you, our gifted, talented, hard-working, humble, fun-loving, big- hearted, dedicated, darling sister and aunty. We have been enriched and encouraged by your faithfulness, love, and the precious time that we have shared. In every song we sing we will hear your voice, and in every moment of laughter we will feel your spirit within, lifting us and guiding us. Praise God for His blessings showered upon us through you. Go to your Lord and Saviour. You have longed for this day Mary. Well done, good and faithful servant. Deepest love and cherished moments 'til we meet again. Pauline, Keith, Mark, Luana and Aaron Prictor. "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith." 1 John 5:4
Published in: New Zealand Herald
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. We praise God for the life of our precious sister and aunty Mary who left us yesterday to join God's heavenly choir. I'm sure you'll be singing up a storm there Mele! Our lives will never be the same without you sis, but we have so many cherished memories of you, as a singing sister, doting aunty, head of our family and faithful servant of God. Dryden St will never be the same without you either, but we are assured that you're in a wonderful place now which God has prepared for you, with our loving parents, sister Caroline and Bob. Thank you for always being there for us and for all your hard work in keeping our family together. Thank you for the constant fun and laughs we had as the Yandall Sisters. Thank you for your strength and courage which inspired so many others and for your warm and gracious heart. We love and miss so much already. Until we meet again darling sis and aunty, Adele, Andre and Stephanie and Martin Paris.
Published in: New Zealand Herald
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. Passed away on 30th January 2012. Now in the presence of the Lord you loved so dearly. Faithful to your God, your parents, your loving family and your craft. Mary, you too were taken too soon but forever loved by your cousins Nova, Nolan, Edgar, Laumatau and families. Beloved niece of both the late Galumalemana Fred and Caroline Reid. Manuia lou Malaga.
Published in: New Zealand Herald
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. To our dearest and greatest Aunty Mary. We love and miss you so much but we know you are in safe hands reunited with Mum, Dad, Aunty Carol and the loved ones who were called on before us, with and in the kingdom of God. Words can't describe who or what you are to us because your smile says it all. You have touched many hearts with your grace, joy, wisdom, amazing vocals and more. Thank you for always being there, sharing your unconditional love and support. Glad we had our share of amazing laughs, special moments and memories with you. Rest pain free, easy and in heavenly peace. Until we meet in paradise Aunty Mary. In the words of you and Grandpa - amazing. Lots of love, God Bless you, Ben, Lesley, Benjamin and Patricia - the Ng family.
Published in: New Zealand Herald
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. A true soldier for God and family. Our loving sister's final days were spent peacefully and with grace. Her smile lighting up the room every time a pineapple iceblock appeared. A life in the service of the Lord gave Mary great pleasure and Mary's great talents gave the rest of us joy. Dear Mary, from stand up shouting to prolonged hugs, we had a true and loving relationship with you. You helped us embrace the family, showed us that respect is shared and how God keeps our family together. You had the strength of your convictions; your help with Dad in his last years was beyond measure. We love you and will miss you deeply. Our family choir has one less angelic voice but the Heavenly Choir is the richer. We will always love you Mary, your brothers Mark and Kavin.
Published in: New Zealand Herald
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. Dearest Aunty Mary, gone too soon, but so happy for the time we shared with you. Although you had no children of your own, you were a mother to us and raised us from when we were babies. Your passion for music, your family and your God is truly inspiring and you are truly a great soldier of God. Not a day will go by that we don't think of you, and know you are rejoicing and singing in heaven with Nana, Grandpa and Aunty Carol. Always in our hearts until we meet again, manuia lou malaga, the Solomonas.
Published in: New Zealand Herald
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. To our darling sister and aunty, Now that God has called you home, we can rejoice that you are now at peace. We shall cherish your legacy of faith and indomitable will in the face of adversity. You will be forever missed, not only by those who loved you, but the many that have been touched by your voice. Forever in our hearts. Vesi, Phina, Leona, John, Laumatau, Jane, Jerry and young David and Darius.
Published in: New Zealand Herald
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. Dearest Mary, even in adversity your spirit was strong and you sang praises even as your body faltered. You leave a huge hole but your love and courage is forever etched on our hearts. Till we meet again. Your loving brother Graham and Caroline.
Published in: New Zealand Herald
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. May the angels be singing as they greet you at heaven's gate. Dan and Kathleen, Daniel Jnr and Charlotte, Anita, Delia, Karina Yandall. Rest In Peace.
Published in: New Zealand Herald
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. To our most beautiful lady. (Aunty) Mary, it has always been our honour and privilege to serve and care for you in our home. You have touched our family with such a deep and rich love like no other that only God will see us through the pain of your absence. Thank you, our gifted, talented, hard-working, humble, fun-loving, big- hearted, dedicated, darling sister and aunty. We have been enriched and encouraged by your faithfulness, love, and the precious time that we have shared. In every song we sing we will hear your voice, and in every moment of laughter we will feel your spirit within, lifting us and guiding us. Praise God for His blessings showered upon us through you. Go to your Lord and Saviour. You have longed for this day Mary. Well done, good and faithful servant. Deepest love and cherished moments 'til we meet again. Pauline, Keith, Mark, Luana and Aaron Prictor. "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith." 1 John 5:4
Published in: New Zealand Herald
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
YANDALL, Anna Mary Coralie. We praise God for the life of our precious sister and aunty Mary who left us yesterday to join God's heavenly choir. I'm sure you'll be singing up a storm there Mele! Our lives will never be the same without you sis, but we have so many cherished memories of you, as a singing sister, doting aunty, head of our family and faithful servant of God. Dryden St will never be the same without you either, but we are assured that you're in a wonderful place now which God has prepared for you, with our loving parents, sister Caroline and Bob. Thank you for always being there for us and for all your hard work in keeping our family together. Thank you for the constant fun and laughs we had as the Yandall Sisters. Thank you for your strength and courage which inspired so many others and for your warm and gracious heart. We love and miss so much already. Until we meet again darling sis and aunty, Adele, Andre and Stephanie and Martin Paris.
Published in: New Zealand Herald
Music scene farewells Yandall sister
A who's who of the Kiwi entertainment scene will gather in Auckland on Friday to farewell one of its own.
Anna - better known as Mary - Yandall, a key member of the Yandall Sisters, has died aged 62.
A funeral will be held at the Pacific Islanders' Presbyterian Church at Newton from 10am.
Mourners will include veteran crooner John Rowles who took to the stage with Mary, Adele and Pauline numerous times through the 1970s.
"They were a united team that worked for every prominent performer in the country through those years," he says.
"They always had a lot of love in their hearts and were a great support to me as back up singers on many occasions - probably the best I've had."
"It always came so naturally for them... they always knew what they had to do."
The Yandall sisters were born into a Samoan family and started performing with another sibling, the late Caroline, as children at Sunday school and various private functions.
Their first recording was in the mid 1960s but they shot to prominence around 1972 as cabaret act - heading to Australia shortly after the release of their first single.
A return to New Zealand in 1973 saw the Yandalls - by now a trio - picked up as a backing group for a number of high profile acts.
The sisters appeared on stage with entertainers including Mr Rowles, Billy T James, Prince Tui Teka, Dalvanius Prime and Sir Howard Morrison in the years that followed.
They performed at a tribute concert for Sir Howard after his death in 2009.
The Yandall Sisters recorded numerous singles and released their own album, Up Front in 1976.
Sweet Inspiration, released in 1974, was their biggest hit and stayed in the top charts for over three months.
The sisters won the New Zealand Entertainer of the Year Award in 1977 and enjoyed growing popularity as a regular live act and on television well into the 1980s.
Rowles recorded Hawaiian Wedding Song as a duet with Mary in the early 70s and the pair performed it live during a concert in 1974.
"She was such a beautiful girl," he says. "And she never changed. She was always kind and a little mischievous in such a wonderful way.
"I am very sad to know she has gone but she does leave behind such a great legacy."
Yandall will be buried at Waikumete cemetery.
MATTHEW GRAY MATTHEW GRAY
Last updated 10:10 01/02/2012
Yandall Sisters
Anna - better known as Mary - Yandall, a key member of the Yandall Sisters, has died aged 62.
A funeral will be held at the Pacific Islanders' Presbyterian Church at Newton from 10am.
Mourners will include veteran crooner John Rowles who took to the stage with Mary, Adele and Pauline numerous times through the 1970s.
"They were a united team that worked for every prominent performer in the country through those years," he says.
"They always had a lot of love in their hearts and were a great support to me as back up singers on many occasions - probably the best I've had."
"It always came so naturally for them... they always knew what they had to do."
The Yandall sisters were born into a Samoan family and started performing with another sibling, the late Caroline, as children at Sunday school and various private functions.
Their first recording was in the mid 1960s but they shot to prominence around 1972 as cabaret act - heading to Australia shortly after the release of their first single.
A return to New Zealand in 1973 saw the Yandalls - by now a trio - picked up as a backing group for a number of high profile acts.
The sisters appeared on stage with entertainers including Mr Rowles, Billy T James, Prince Tui Teka, Dalvanius Prime and Sir Howard Morrison in the years that followed.
They performed at a tribute concert for Sir Howard after his death in 2009.
The Yandall Sisters recorded numerous singles and released their own album, Up Front in 1976.
Sweet Inspiration, released in 1974, was their biggest hit and stayed in the top charts for over three months.
The sisters won the New Zealand Entertainer of the Year Award in 1977 and enjoyed growing popularity as a regular live act and on television well into the 1980s.
Rowles recorded Hawaiian Wedding Song as a duet with Mary in the early 70s and the pair performed it live during a concert in 1974.
"She was such a beautiful girl," he says. "And she never changed. She was always kind and a little mischievous in such a wonderful way.
"I am very sad to know she has gone but she does leave behind such a great legacy."
Yandall will be buried at Waikumete cemetery.
MATTHEW GRAY MATTHEW GRAY
Last updated 10:10 01/02/2012
Yandall Sisters
Monday, 30 January 2012
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