Congratulations - Aitkenhead

Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 31, September 1987

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A surprise celebration was held in October 1986 when a well-known Waihi couple had their 80th birthdays within a month of each other. Bob and May Aitkenhead were completely surprised when they were taken out to dinner by their son and daughters. To keep it the surprise it was, was no mean feat as many of their brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews were present. To complete their happiness, there was a phone call from their younger son in South Africa and another from a granddaughter in Australia.

Bob was born in Scotland and emigrated to New Zealand with his mother and father at the age of one, to live in Church Street, Onehunga until his marriage to Miss Mavis Gibbs.

Mavis has many ties with Waihi. Her grandfather, Mr. D. King, lived in Seddon Avenue and worked in the mine as did her father. Her mother and father were married in Waihi in 1901. Then they bought a business in Cambridge where Mavis was born.

Bob and May were married in Manurewa 57 years ago and have lived in Waihi for the past 50 years. They have two daughters, Joy Potier (Waihi Beach) and Cherry Kneebone (Waihi) and two sons, John (Hamilton) and Rob (Johannesburg).