FORMER PILBARA WOMAN SET TO LAUNCH THIRD NON-FICTION BOOK

A former resident of the Pilbara Viti Simmons (1973 – 1998) is about to self-publish her third non-fiction book. Her time in the Pilbara was spent in varying occupations. She leased the local Dampier Hair Salon and back then, it was the only female enterprise. Viti then went on work in School Libraries, firstly at the Dampier Primary School, Karratha High School and Millar’s Well Primary School at the same time raising her two sons Blair and Kane.

Viti Simmons

From 1992 mature age studies followed, firstly at Karratha TAFE College and then University Studies in Perth. Her final project in the Pilbara was Coordinating the 5th Biennial North West Women’s 3-Day Gathering in Karratha In 1997.

Viti’s focus on bringing women's voices to light; locally, nationally, and internationally has been ongoing over the last two decades.

Her first two books emerged in 2013 and 2016 from her passion for research. Many of her activities have been self-funded through her Bear Fruit Social Business established in 2008. These two books are dedicated to women In Nepal living in poverty and the difference microfinance has made to their lives, families, and communities.

Profile of Viti’s Dad

However, her forthcoming third book stems from a question she posed to her Father Robert Diamond in 2001 while visiting him in Tauranga New Zealand. “I know nothing about your Mother other than her name.” Two crucial elements were essential to bring this book to fruition. Her Father’s Whakapapa and taping his memoirs and recourse. Full of humour and wit from 83-years of age when interviewed and as Viti stated, “…the methodology for interviewing needed to be creative …” which is described in her book.

Robert and Viti Diamond 1967, Taumaranui

Robert was the longest living of his 14 siblings and his daughter Viti was aware that these ‘breadcrumbs’ would be lost to her generation and future descendants. What is important to mention is that this book is an interpretation of her Father’s Tupuna Wahine ascendants from the Mangamuka and Whirinaki communities in the Hokianga in New Zealand.

Book Title:

Hikoi of Discovery,

Father’s Maori Maternal Ascendants Emerge 1800s-1960.

Leaf – Maning – Diamond (Taimona)

Hokianga to the King Country.

Viti conveys, “that discovering the names of her Father's maternal ascendants: Mereana, Moengaroa, Erana Kohe, was overwhelming.” The responsibility of co-authoring on behalf of these women ascendants was not lost on her. At times, her Whakapapa (Family Tree) felt like a rubric cube.

These three women were in interracial unions/marriages with settler men from Irish and English heritage. Traders who had settled in the Hokianga area were merchants, traders, or sawyers associated with the native timber industry, and fresh food supplies for ships that visited the harbour.

Although not uncommon, women dying young echoes across the pages during the 19th and early 20th century. How this was addressed by local Maori communities to ensure the benefits of Settler men associated with each community is retained.

Children from these marriages between Settler men and Maori women are referred to as half-castes and It is in this context that this book discovers the lived experience of what that impact was like when a mother passed and her children young.

The policies of the times, education and health services. The courage and resourcefulness of Viti’s ascendants and her father’s memoirs around his Mother Keita giving birth to thirteen children In a tent above the family homestead. Viti conveys that took place with her father and herself when they returned to the family homestead in Pakanae, 2001. “Daughter, … climb up that hill…” and then I hear him say, “move to the left and that is where mother used to pitch her tent when she was due to have her babies. While sitting there with this newfound knowledge which was juxtaposed with the beautiful Hokianga harbour in the distance.”

Trauma seeps up through the pages of her book and those lived experiences of her father and one of his nieces are captured within the historical, sociological contexts of their times. Juxtaposed to these are a diversity of tales and lightened by her Father’s wit and humour. A lifelong trait.

Migration is also a subject that arises throughout the book. Whether it is offshore on in-country it is a constant across generations. Nonetheless, Robert’s Tupuna Wahine, Kui and mother remained in the Hokianga.

Three of Keita’s children migrated to the King Country where the native timber was offering employment opportunities. As was the railway line finally linked Auckland and Wellington and opened service deliveries and supply of products beyond the district. As the Native Timber Trade had gone into decline in the Hokianga in contrast to what was happening in the King Country. New opportunities and establishing communities and families prevailed. The Timber Town of Manunui was where Robert Diamond settled and raised his family.

Contact Details or further enquiries:

Viti Simmons

BA|GCBM|GCSI|Author|Social Change Facilitator

MERGING SOCIAL WITH BUSINESS INNOVATION

(M) 0428 174 546 W.A. | Mob Australia 61+ 428 174 546 Mob: International 0011 61+ 428 174 546

EMAIL: viti@bearfruit.com.au