DSA staff maintain common thread

Gathered for lunch at Crown Mill yesterday are former Drapery Suppliers Association Ltd staff members (from left) Elspeth Harris, Ken Williams, Colleen Murphy, Diane Glass, Frank Kennelly, Kathy Mayo, Raelyn Beard, Mavis King and Irene Stevens, all of Dunedin.

The group was holding a reunion to reminisce about working at the George St drapery store, which closed in 1966.

"We also had a 40th reunion in 2006," former office worker Mrs Glass said.

The oldest former employee present was 91-year-old Mr Kennelly, who worked as a dress fabric buyer at the firm from 1962 until it closed in 1966.

"It was an excellent place to work. It was the best job I ever had," Mr Kennelly said.

DSA Ltd was opened by James Dick and Hunter McKechnie on March 22, 1890, and continued trading until July 12, 1966. The company also operated a South Dunedin store, from 1894 until 1955.