More people at the Cameron Centennial at Otematata Station

Ray Cleave also mustered on Otematata Station
He went on to become a successful horse trainer based at Waimate.
I remember many times having to go to the TAB and put money on for Dad when Ray's horses were starting.I even made a few $ for myself when his horse Keepsake was racing.



Gordon and Iris Paterson from Alexandra.Gordon was mustering at Otematata Station for 7 years and left in 1948.I believe that Gordon was one of the oldest people at the Centennial and that he still shoes a few horses!

He was telling me about the time when I was just a baby,Mum went in to the bedroom to pick me up and I was limp and blue around the mouth.Mum put brandy on my lip and Gordon said he swung me from side to side by my feet!!!When I suggested " so that's whats wrong with me"Gordon told me very seriously that he didn't hit my head!!!!I do remember Mum talking about it,but never took it very seriously.It was interesting to hear it from someone else who was there.

Catching up with people at the Otematata Centennial

Shirley Cameron from Mosgiel and her son Peter Cameron from Milton.Shirley's husband was Hugh Cameron,son of Walter Cameron,and uncle of Hugh and Mandy.




Walter Linwood and his wife Leone from Ashburton.Walter mustered at Otematata Station on and off for 7 to 8 years.He is the son of Billy Linwood from Kurow who also mustered on Otematata Station for many years.


I hope I report this correctly,Bruce Harris was telling me that in the early 1950's he heard that Otematata Station was paying good wages to musterers and so he rang up the Station about a job.
He spoke to Walter Cameron(known by many names eg Walter,Whiskers,WP,and the person who took over Otematata Station in 1908)and asked about a musterering job.Apparently the reply was"you can have a job as long as your bloody name isn't Bill-I've got three of the bastards!!!!
Thinking back the three Bills would be-Bill Linwood,Bill West and Bill O'Donnell who was the packer(the person who cooked for the musterers when they were out mustering)