... and then came the bridge.

A History of Long Bay & Torbay

A “MUST” FOR ANYONE FROM THIS AREA!

...and then came the bridge. A History of Long Bay & Torbay
is "one of the best 'local history books' produced”.

Renowned local author, Marie Gray, in collaboration with Jennifer Sturm, of Milford, has written a book specially for the Torbay Historical Society, based largely on stories told by descendants of some of the original “pioneers”.

Fascinating and informative, the book tells the story of the diverse nature of the people who lived in the area – from the early Maori to the later pioneers who arrived in the 1860s. The colourful narrative then moves with later generations along the 100-year journey to 1959 with the opening of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, which changed the nature of these more remote North Shore societies forever.

Marie Gray has lived in Torbay for many years and is well known for her best-seller Irish in the Blood. Her family has been part of Torbay and Long Bay for over 50 years, during the time the small beach villages were evolving and the society became a fascinating mix of personalities.

Dr Jennifer Sturm was working on a PhD in English Literature at the University of Auckland when she discovered unpublished manuscripts by the experimental English author, Anna Kavan, who lived in Torbay for over a year in the 1940s. At the same time, the Torbay Historical Society was thinking about producing a history book, and the two projects became connected.


Chapters include:

• Maori history and archaeology

• The Pioneers and Early Families

• The Vaughan Homestead

• Local characters

• The community, transport, churches

The book has been published by one of Auckland’s large publishing houses, and is a top quality production. It has approximately 165 pages and incorporates over 120 old photographs, which tell a story in themselves, the earliest dating back to the 1830s.

From a great-granddaughter of one of the original pioneer families: “When I opened this book for the first time, I sat riveted in my seat for hours until I had read every word. I am now over fifty, and for the first time in my life I saw photos of my grandmother and read the story of how the family emigrated from Scotland to New Zealand, and how Torbay looked when I was a child. The book is 'brilliant'.”

This is definitely a book to treasure.

A limited print run has been produced, so if you are interested, please order quickly, as stocks will not last.

The retail price is only $35.00 plus $5.00 P&P including GST (within NZ) - amazing value – all proceeds go directly to Torbay Historical Society.

Please email the treasurer mbartlam@xtra.co.nz for an order form and details of payment, or send a cheque for $40 per book, made payable to Torbay Historical Society, to PO Box 89 009, Torbay, North Shore City, 0742. Please give full delivery address.

Published 13th Nov 2008

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