Brockville residents and amateur historians Jasmine Hunter and Sharon Hornby, along with writer Jane Nicoletti, have discovered many intriguing facts about the area through researching its street names and land ownership. Now they are keen to expand on that knowledge with an oral history project tapping into the memories of local people.
Established in the early 1850s, Brockville was named after prominent early landowner Frederick Brock-Hollinshead, who bought large tracts of land from Port Chalmers through to Clutha. After running out of money, he abandoned his partially completed grand house to return to England.
The modern suburb of Brockville began when the government developed a housing estate from 1956, with state housing and private developers creating more than 900 homes. About 3400 people now live in the Brockville area.
In her research, Ms Hunter was keen to take a close look at street names in the area, and was intrigued to find that a significant number were named for World War 1 soldiers.
Among them were Barton St - named after Major J.
E. Barton, Caldwell St - named after Major Keith Caldwell, Cockerell St - named after Lieutenant Allan Cockerell, Domigan St - named after major William Domigan, Grigor St - named after Lieutenant Colonel Robert Grigor, Statham St - named after Major Frank Statham, and many more. Most were officers in the Otago Regiment or Otago Mounted Rifles.
''It's fascinating to see the names of so many soldiers represented in our streets,'' Ms Hunter said.
''And many people living in the area probably don't realise it.''
Alongside the information gleaned on Brockville's land ownership and streets, the research team is also keen to talk with local residents, particularly older people, about their memories.
''We would also love to hear from people with memorabilia, photos and diaries relating to the area,'' Ms Nicoletti said.
''It would be fantastic to tap into the memories of the older people, who recall the place as it used to be,'' Ms Hunter said.
It is hoped the historical research project will lead to the publication of a book, and the team is in the process of applying for funding to support this.
Anyone who has memories of Brockville history and who would like to talk to the research team is welcome to phone Jasmine Hunter on 476-3078, or email sunseeker29282@gmail.com
