Puhoi Heritage

My maternal tupuna.  John Schollum built the iconic Puhoi Hotel.  I calculate I am sixth generation (although maths is not my strong point).

Although Te Hemara Tauhia has a chequered reputation with his own people, without the help of him and his tribe, the Bohemians would probably not have survived.

More Schollum-ism.  Much of my childhood was spent in the Puhoi Store, sitting on sugar sacks in the storeroom and drinking real Innes Tartan gingerale.

My grandfather could almost understand the Egerlander dialect but could not speak it.  The only thing he was able to teach me was "Wei geits?" (How are you?) and the answer was "Got" (good).  I may have cannabalised the spelling.

I have fond memories of the annual Puhoi Show (February each year) and the celebrations on the 29th of June each year to mark the arrival of the Bohemians in 1863.  I attended the 1963 Centennial Celebrations in utero and was born in September of that year.  My grandmother often won the Cup for the most points for the indoor exhibits and my grandfather judged the cattle classes.

With Bohemia becoming part of Germany there was much discussion during both World Wars (including in Parliament) about "the German Serttlement").  However Puhoi men served and sacrificed in both wars. 

The Bohemians were Roman Catholic.  The Church and Convent still stand today with the convent being used as the Museum.  The library is still operating complete with marks high up on the wall from some of the big floods.