A tribute to Yvonne Brown

YVONNE BROWN, Educator and local dramatist, who farmed on the Durham Road, Inglewood, died in Paraparaumu on July 6, 2008 aged 86 a woman of many talents who gave much to our district and to New Zealand.
She was born in 1922, the eldest of four children, of Lt Colonel Bertrand (of Maori Battalion) and her Pakeha mother.
The family lived in New Plymouth and when not soldiering her father taught at New Plymouth Boys' High School.
Yvonne attended Central School during the Depression and in 1935, New Plymouth Girls' High School. Her years at this school were not always happy. Because of her academic achievements she was one of 'the Golden Girls' - much was expected of her, but in the eyes of her principal, Miss Allan, not "the best of the bunch" because she was Maori and on a High School Scholarship so was not paying her way. Yvonne saw and hated the social structure in the school and the fact that many girls had to leave school at 14 because their families could not afford the cost of fees and uniforms. She left school with a burning desire to change the education system and she did.
Having attended Auckland Teacher's College she taught her PA year at Ngaere School and then taught at Norfolk School. These were early war years. It was here at Norfolk School that she met Bill Brown, an innovative farmer on the Durham Road. They married in 1942. She and Bill raised a fine family of five children in a little old home on the farm. Yvonne and Bill had agreed at an early stage that each should have an opportunity to take up independent interests, so despite family and farming responsibilities, Yvonne became the first woman to sit on the Norfolk Primary School Committee a major feat for a woman in the 1940's.
She was on a number of committees dealing with education and women's affairs for The Maori Women's Welfare League and the needs of Maori and Pakeha women were dear to her heart. She was proud of her Te Atiawa heritage and of the advantage of having a foot in each camp. Being passionate about education she became involved in anything she thought would change the system. She worked on 'Project Able' a Government educational report about New Zealand schools.
In 1960, Yvonne gained a part time position teaching English at Inglewood High School and was influenced by the principal, Garfield Johnson's (author of Johnson Report On NZ Education) 'new' educational initiatives.
Her training as an Infant Mistress enabled her to teach the basics with lower streamed students and second Year fifth formers.
As well know farmer's wife, mother of teenagers and great storyteller, she was a popular and successful teacher.
Yvonne took an extra mural diploma in Reading Classes from Massey University and began classes for 14 and 15 year old boys using the Drivers Licence Manual for her textbook.
In the mid-60's, because of the oil industry, families came to live in the district and the number of Maori students at the school increased. She was recruited to teach Te Reo.
Along with other disciplines she acquired a good knowledge of the curriculum and the workings of a high school. In 1970, she became National Vice President of the Secondary School's Board.
After 18 years teaching at Inglewood High School Yvonne retired, but remained involved in the changes in secondary and tertiary areas in 'Tomorrow's Schools', Education for the third Age, The Teacher's Registration Board and The Workers Trust and on the Inglewood High School Board.
In 1994, Yvonne attended a conference in New York for indigenous people, something she felt strongly about. There she found Maori, though disadvantaged in many ways, were succeeding while other races were still struggling.
Yvonne and Bill belonged to Servas, an organization for peace on the principle of education through travel. Through this they hosted many overseas travelers on their farm and traveled extensively. With courage and energy she ran the farm for 10 years after Bill's death, in their new home, which was always full of people.
In 1956, Yvonne became a founding member of Cue Theatre, bringing her experience from the CWI Drama and producing 15 plays the first 'Her Lamp Above' in 1958 and the last, 'Table Manners' in 1984. She was a non-fuss producer who could always bring the best out of people. From 1972-1974 she was president of the society.
Both Yvonne and Bill were a tower of strength when the towns old Billiard Saloon was converted into a theatre, opening in 1975. She was thrilled when this building was replaced with the new Cue in 2002. Her enthusiasm, energy and dedication helped form the very strong foundation of the Cue Theatre. She remained interested in the workings of the theatre after moving to Kapiti Village to be near her family.
Yvonne's contribution to the lives of many, both Maori and Pakeha, in education has been enormous. She was the matriarch of her family and an inspiration to all who knew her. We cannot measure the impact on society but she has been recognized for some of her achievements. In 1990, she was awarded the New Zealand Suffragettes Centennial Medal and in 1993 The Queen's Commemorative Medal.
We are the richer for knowing her.
If you would like to join with others in honouring Yvonne you are invited to a get-together at TET Cue Theatre, 38 Matai Street, Inglewood at 2pm on Saturday, October 18.
Please RSVP to A Stevenson on 06 756 8576 or email backstage@cuetheatre.co.nz before October 15.