Almost everything about Sunday’s book launch at Ōhaupō School of Valerie Millington’s ‘Ellen of Denniston’ was intended to deliver a sense of time and place.
Val Middleton, front, with guests Sir William and Lady Judi Gallagher, left, and Russ and Edwina Rimmington. Photo: Viv Posselt
And deliver it did, in spades.
The hall, creaking with some 200 visitors, had been decorated to within an inch of its life in deference to the challenging, often gloomy environment that was, back in the day, the coal mining township of Denniston on the South Island’s west coast. Lights were dimmed and windows blacked out.
The book itself is a biography of Val Millington’s mother Ellen and, said the author, a moving testimony to her strength and resilience through extraordinarily difficult circumstances.
Ōhaupō School principal Chris Rennie, left, with the book’s publishers, Ian and Diane Grant of Fraser Books. Photo: Viv Posselt
“I always wanted mum to write a book,” she told guests, “but she would always say, ‘I’m far too joyful in the present to push the rewind button’. I used to think a lot about my mother’s mental health, but where other people saw the ugly rock face that dominated the area, she would see miniature fir trees in the cracks. She saw lichen like skeins of wool.”
The book chronicles Ellen’s life… a childhood tested by poverty, then an accident at 17 that resulted in three years in hospital and 30 operations. Her return to Denniston as the ‘disabled girl’ created different challenges, but a new life, love and family eventually found her.
Singers Faamanu Fonoti-Fuimaono, Grace McCarthy-Sinclair and Taylor Wallbank were part of the musical entertainment. Photo: Viv Posselt
Ellen moved to Ōhaupō with her husband Les and their children. It was there she received numerous accolades for her role in developing the National Fieldays at Mystery Creek, turning the event into a multi-million-dollar export earner for New Zealand. The book is said to be as much about her story and that of New Zealand at the time, as it is about the way Ellen endured and rose through her challenges to live a long and productive life.
Edwina Rimmington gets her copy of the book signed by author Valerie Rimmington. Photo: Viv Posselt
“My sister once told me she thought mum had found the secret to a happy life,” Millington told the crowd. “I didn’t understand it then, but I did later, and I agree with her.”
Guests of honour at the launch were Sir William and Lady Judi Gallagher who supported the book’s production. Lady Judi described Ellen as a brave woman who overcame many obstacles in her life.
“I hope this work will be an inspiration for others,” she said. “I hope it will show how even the most difficult situations can be overcome.”
Author Valerie Middleton speaking to guests. Photo: Viv Posselt
Sunday’s launch was unusual in other ways, too. Publisher Ian Grant of Fraser Books said book launches were not as common as they once were. He and his wife and colleague Diane Grant have launched books at numerous venues over time, but never in a venue quite like this.
“When we were first asked if we would publish the book, we said no. We thought we were too old for it. But eventually Val, who is not exactly backward in coming forward, persuaded us and once we read it, we realised it was very special. Now we just hope we will be around for the reprints.”
Russ Rimmington, Waikato politician and former president of NZ National Fieldays, emceed the event. Photo: Viv Posselt
The event was emceed by Waikato politician and former Hamilton mayor and regional council chair Russ Rimmington.
He reminisced through his years of knowing Millington, recalling her earlier media days and her success in pushing through a wall of deep tradition to become chief executive of NZ National Fieldays for several years.
Lady Judi Gallager addressing the audience. Photo: Viv Posselt
Among numerous other roles, Millington became a valued teacher-tutor at Ōhaupō School; one of her former students was there to thank her for a job well done.
Guests heard that Millington first started the book some seven years ago. She was waylaid, however, by writing a book charting the history of the district and of Ōhaupō School’s 150 years. In 1996, she penned a book marking the history of European settlement in Ōhaupō, titled ‘Winds of Change’.
Music at the launch was provided by Blair Stanbridge playing Il Silenzio (The Silence) on the cornet – a piece particularly loved by Ellen – as well as fitting songs by opera singers Grace McCarthy-Sinclair, Faamanu Fonoti-Fuimaono, and Taylor Wallbank.
Cornet player Blair Stanbridge performed Il Silenzio for the audience. Photo: Viv Posselt
Part of the elaborate setting intended to give a hint of the environment of old Denniston. Photo: Viv Posselt
