A communist in the family: searching for Rewi Alley
Elspeth Sandys talks about her recent book in which she tells the story of her “Uncle Rewi” Alley’s life and work in the context of his time. This is a multi-layered narrative that is part biography, part travel journal, and part literary commentary.
Date: Wednesday 8 July 2020
Time: 5:30pm
Cost: No charge. Koha from non-members appreciated
Venue: Taiwhanga Kahau — Auditorium (lower ground floor), Corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets. Entrance on Aitken Street.
A Communist in the Family: Searching for Rewi Alley is a beautifully written multi-layered narrative, part-biography, part-travel journal, part-literary commentary. Sandys travelled to China with other family members to mark the ninetieth anniversary of Rewi's arrival in Shanghai in 1927. One strand of the book follows this journey and she tells the story of her “Uncle Rewi’s” early life in an insightful meditation on the complex and always elusive relationship between memory and writing. By placing the man, Rewi Alley, and his work in the context of his time and place, Elspeth is able to illuminate the life of this extraordinary New Zealander in a way that is both historically vivid and relevant to the world of today. The Alexander Turnbull Library holds extensive collections of material relating to Rewi Alley from his archives and from those of biographers, friends and colleagues.
Speaker biography: Wellington novelist Elspeth Sandys has published nine novels, two collections of short stories and two memoirs. She has written extensively for the BBC and for RNZ as well as for TV and film. A Communist in the Family: Searching for Rewi Alley was published by Otago University Press in 2019
Image: Rewi Alley with his Chinese family. Alley, Rewi, 1897-1987 :Photographs. Ref: PA1-q-655-07-1. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23185435
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Seeking Summer Pocket Money
Are you planning to go away over the holidays?
After doing really well for the last couple of summers and absolutely loving it, our enthusiastic 13-year-old is once again offering her services for pet and plant care over the coming summer.
Over the last few summers, she has managed to earn enough to buy herself a cake mixer, a Fitbit, roller skates, clothes, an assortment of fun items, endless packets of Mentos, and even funded all her spending money for an overseas trip, with enough left over to last her through the year. 😊 While she isn't sure what next year will bring, she is eager to save up a few dollars to make the most of whatever opportunities come her way.
She's keen to take care of small pets and birds, water pot plants and gardens, walk friendly dogs, and more. She is available immediately and throughout the summer until the end of January. Please consider her if you're planning to be away for a few days or a few weeks.
Rates are negotiable, and references are available from happy customers, several of whom have kept her on for weekend work throughout the year.
As always, she will be fully supervised! 😊 Text me at 0226206258 to arrange an introductory visit. 😊
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.3% Yes
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14.2% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
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