Christian, Mary Wharton (née Parkinson), 1879-1979 (Person)

SummaryBorn in Durham, England in 1879, Mary (better known as Mollie) was the eldest of 16 children. In her youth, Mollie learned to sing and play piano, and left teaching work to tour the world with the Sheffield Choir.

She arrived in Tauranga in 1913 and married Frederick Newnham Christian, who, at one time, became deputy mayor of Tauranga.

She had three daughters and a son. In 1918 their residence was 'Fairlight' in Fourth Avenue.

Her community associations include:

A prominent role in the Methodist Church.
A member of the music themed group Medlian Group.
President of the Women's Christian Temperance Union and editor of its magazine "White Ribbon".
A life member of the Methodist Women's Fellowship.
District Commissioner for the Bay of Plenty Girl Guides from 1930-1939.
A founder of the Women's Representative Committee in Tauranga which later became the National Council of Women.
First president of Tauranga's National Country Women's Institute.
First president and a founder of the women's division of the Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers.
First secretary of the Crippled Children Society.
A member of the District high school committee for 15 years.
Secretary for the Women's War Service Auxilliary during World War II.
A founder and president of the Tauranga Lyceum Club

She was awarded the Jubilee Medal in 1935 and an OBE in 1973 for her services to the community.
She was awarded an MBE in 1974 at the age of 94 for her service to welfare, youth and civic organisations.

Mollie died in 1979, survived by a daughter, Rosa Lynette (Lyn) Harpham.SourcesMaori doll for Canadian girl's collection (includes photo) » Bay of Plenty Times or Mirror, 12 Februrary 1969Death of stalwart » Bay of Plenty Times 29 January 1979Queens Birthday Honours (includes photo) » Bay of Plenty Times, 19 November 1973Girl Guides 50th Jubilee celebrations photos » Bay of Plenty Times Mirror, 9 October 1973, p 5.House shift runs into sticky problem. Relates to removal of Mollie's granny flat from the Harpham property » Bay of Plenty Times, 7 April 1983Pioneer for Women in Community » Bay of Plenty Times or New Zealand Herald, July 1971Pillar of Bay City dies » Bay of Plenty Times or New Zealand Herald, 30 January 1979Service to youth for fifty years » Bay of Plenty Times, Woman... Her Page, February 1964.

Photographs

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Photograph Series

Mary Wharton Christian, 1940s, Photo 06-497

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Personal Information

First Name(s)MarySurnameChristianDate of Birth24 February 1879Date of Death27 January 1979

Whānau

ChildrenHarpham, Rosa Lynette (née Christian), 1919–2011 (Person)

Partner

PartnerChristian, Frederick Newnham, 1884-1957 (Person)

Relates To

PlacesFairlight, 1879-1967 (Place)

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AuthorTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesType of ContributionLibrary authorityTaxonomyStories | People

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Christian, Mary Wharton (née Parkinson), 1879-1979 (Person)