Stories that connect us through generations

Books do much more than tell stories. Photo / NZME The Zonta Annual Book Sale offers us all rich pickings indeed. So rich, you need to discipline yourself and head straight for the category you love best. For me, it's philosophy, biography, history, travel; my limit is 20, now piled on the floor beside my very treasure-full bookcase. I actually made this bookcase myself, at Waipu High School Woodwork night classes when farming at Mata, copying our quite elegant Welsh dresser, a scalloped fashion in the 60s. Memories! So there's Shirley MacLaine, Peta Mathias, CS Lewis, The Life & Times of Dickens , Joe Bennett, Queen Noor and more. I've quickly devoured two scorchers – a biography of John Banks by Paul Goldsmith, published in 1997, and The Six Wives of Henry Eighth by Paul Rival, published in 1937. John Banks' story is gripping and insightful – a brutal upbringing by criminal parents; outspoken, driven to succeed; rich and classy; National MP for Whangārei, where he married Amanda, a pharmacist in Rust Ave, living in an elegant home, 'Pukenui', in Hatea Drive. The Bankses adopted three infant siblings from Russia into their loving family. Learning John's story is a reward in itself, and names many supportive locals of the political scene. Local history! Now, go back to our shocking 15th-century English royal history. Paul Rival writes with French charm and wit, with Henry's six wives the focus; a compelling read of life at royal palaces, of splendour but unbelievable cruelty, jealousies and violent deaths. I was jolted to see my forebear's name, William Brereton, given as one of the four illicit lovers of Anne Boleyn, the commoner girl-queen, all beheaded on the King's orders from the Tower of London for their daring. The Brereton family were then banished to Tullamore, Ireland. And three centuries later, in the 1870s – arrived in Nelson, New Zealand, on the sailing ship Pleiades, now known as one of the Matariki star groups. I have the family letters, written home to Ireland. They pioneered life up the Motueka Valley. One of the then small children on the Pleiades, Anne Christina, married settler Frederick Holder and, in 1912, moved their young family to Kaitāia, with 500 sheep, four draught horses, dogs, numerous farm implements, piano and pet white angora goat on a coastal steamer via Manukau, Waitematā, and Mangonui. It was a 30-mile drive to the large Holder farm just south of Kaitāia, their new home. My grandfather Frederick was a mover and shaker in backblocks Kaitāia, politically active, becoming chairman of then Mangonui County Council. I have a large silver tray, inscribed: 'Presented to Frederick Holder on his 90th Birthday, 26 April, 1968, in appreciation of 40 years as a Director of North Auckland Farmers' Co-operative.' He lived hale, hearty and good-humoured to 92. And wrote his stories. Books record our histories and give words to our entities, values, insights, wisdom, memories, actions, meanings, purposes and much more. Add singing to emotional words, and we engage the human spirit and multiply the human impact. Whangārei Choral's full house for Songs from The Sound of Music on August 22 is repeating this joy at Waipu Anglican Church on September 20 at 2pm. Whangārei Country Music Club is vibrant with solo items, great applause, generous afternoon tea and large membership. Last Thursday, Whangārei Film Society showed My Name is Pati the story of a Samoan family and son Pati reaching world heights in opera. Inspirational, heart-wrenching, funny, beautiful, unforgettable. See it if you can. And last but not least, Ngararatunua's Coral Kaire, gifted lifetime teacher of all things te ao Māori, especially music, instructs the arts of ukulele singalongs. Coral is a professional, but leads her 30-odd group of seniors as a true amateur – she gives of herself solely for love. It shows. Thank you to all who lead. You build community, meaning and belonging. Busker Te Wairongoa Paniona, known as Mr T, has died aged 67.