Brought to You by CFM – Supported by Ron Morgan
1. What are your family links with the Coromandel?
I am a descendant of both the Hamilton and Lee families on my mother’s side. Both the Hamilton and Lee families have been in the Whitianga and Whenuakite districts since 1866.
My parents still live in Whenuakite on the generational farm, and I visit as much as I can.
I have a huge sense of belonging when I venture ‘home’, and I feel blessed to have grown up in a place with such an immense family history. There are streets named after my family in Whitianga, and information about our heritage can be found in the churches and the Whitianga Museum. I usually visit the cemetery at Ferry Landing and pay my respects to everyone buried there, including my grandparents and great-grandparents.
2. Where are you living now? How long have you been there?
I now call Australia home and reside on a property by Lake Tinaroo on the Atherton Tablelands, inland from Cairns. I have been living in FNQ for the past eight years.
3. When were you living in the Coromandel? Which schools did you attend, and for how long?
In 1973, my family moved from Auckland to Whenuakite, and I attended Whenuakite Primary School. I went to Mercury Bay Area School for my high school years and left in 1982.
4. What have you been doing since school?
Travelling – I love to travel. My life is one big holiday, working or otherwise!
I first went to Australia in 1985. After returning to NZ, I was invited on a tour to Egypt and Israel, and afterwards spent time living and working in London. I worked for a tour company there and travelled to Europe as part of my job. I returned to NZ in 1992, then left again in 1996, returning to Sydney. I moved to Papua New Guinea in 1999—what an adventure that part of my life has been. It’s also where I met my husband. Together, we’ve travelled extensively. We’ve been to the bottom of the world, and in 2025 we’ll get to go to the top of the world.
I’ve worked mostly in communications and office administration. I learnt computer skills ‘on the job’ in London and have had some great jobs over the years—working as a telephonist at Telecom and at a couple of very posh hotels, and as a secretary with London Underground, Insight Tours, Auckland Airport, and Wellington Support Services. Working in PNG allowed me to apply all my skills and also develop new ones in accounting software, training, and management.
5. What achievement are you most proud of?
Living and working in Papua New Guinea was an amazing life journey. I volunteered on the management committee of RSPCA of Papua New Guinea for 18 years. I currently sit on a management committee for a women’s shelter in Cairns. For me, volunteering in this capacity is how I can do something that helps others. So many volunteers in our communities give so much more, and they should all be recognised and commended for their efforts.
This isn’t an achievement per se, but a life highlight – in 2012, I had the privilege of meeting Prince Charles and chatting with Camilla, who were touring Papua New Guinea for the Queen’s 60th Jubilee. Now, of course, they are HRH King Charles and Queen Camilla.
6. Have you been back to the Coromandel recently? Impressions?
My most recent visit was in July 2025. Our high school form year had a class reunion. How wonderful it was to see everyone and how much fun we had catching up! The weather was divine, the sun shone all weekend, and we had a luncheon on the Saturday hosted by Lisa and Geoff Abrahamson – with the added surprise of a boat ride on the Whitianga Waterways. We got to catch up not only with classmates but also with our teachers, Ron Morgan and Margaret and John Neighbours.
On other recent trips, I’ve flown with Barrier Air between Auckland and Whitianga. It’s only a 30-minute flight and a great way to travel. With good weather, it’s also a stunning scenic flight over the Coromandel Peninsula – I highly recommend it!
I love the vista views in every direction. I could swear there are more islands out in Mercury Bay than when I was young. At New Year 2024, twelve of our family members went on the Ocean Leopard Boat Tour from Whitianga around to Hot Water Beach. The scenery was spectacular! I had never seen the coast from this vantage point before – 100% recommended.
7. What are your fondest memories of the Coromandel?
During school holidays, I worked at the Ferry Landing Store from the age of 14 until I left school and moved to Auckland. While I’m glad to have grown up on a dairy farm, where we helped with milking cows and feeding calves, I realised I enjoyed dealing with people more than bovines.
My husband and I were married at Cathedral Cove Lookout in 2004. Our reception was held at The Church in Hahei. The sun was shining and it was an awesome day!
8. Who were some of your friends in those early years?
I had many friends during my school years and have been blessed to travel and live with some of my high school girlfriends. To this day, Cathy, Sue, Lorna, Miranda and I travel together to different places annually to create new memories.
Supported by Ron Morgan
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