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Book Review
Aunt Gwen of 2YA
by Margaret Willis
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Aunt Gwen of 2YA.
by Margaret Willis
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"Putting together this story about my mother has taken a long time,
all my life in fact."
With these words, Margaret Willis introduces us
to New Zealand's most loved Radio Aunt, 'Aunt Gwen of 2YA'.
In the 1920's when radio was new, it was common for stations to run
popular childrens sessions. The personalities of the day were usually
given a friendly 'Aunt' or 'Uncle' title, so that listeners could be
drawn around the fireplace to listen to a trusted 'family member'
tell stories, share poems, jokes and music and tips for growing up
'healthy, wealthy and wise'.
The children, and not so young responded. How they responded.
Margaret draws together a portait of a woman who became the most
popular Radio Aunt in New Zealand, her voice heard thousands of miles
away as 2YA beamed across the ocean to North America, to Australia,
into the islands of the Pacific.
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Aunt Gwen in the 2YA Studio.
© Margaret Willis
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'In Tahiti there lived a fan of Aunt Gwen. He had been on holiday in
New Zealand, staying with friends in Taranaki when he first heard
her. He travelled to Wellington especially to meet her and called at
Station 2YA. He regretted that although 'there are two or three radio
sets in captivity here [Papeete], I don't know the people who own
them'. He wrote regularly, and she always replied.'
When she retired from 2YA to be married, the Radio Broadcasting
Company responded to popular calls by carrying her marriage ceremony
live in 1930, and over 2000 listeners crowded the streets outside to
catch a glimpse of 'their Aunt Gwen'.
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After the wedding the crowd of 2000 departs.
© Margaret Willis
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Margaret tells a well crafted from inside the family story of
Gwendoline Shepherd, allowing us to see the private life of a very
public woman who was claimed by all New Zealanders. At the same time,
she gives us a special insight into the connection between popular
culture and the new world of radio that was unfolding in homes across
the nation.
If you enjoyed this review, you'll also enjoy our features 'NZ Radio
Dial 1931' that gives the broadcasting context of Aunt Gwen's
popularity, and 'A R Harris' an introduction to the man who employed
Gwen at 2YA and whose Radio Broadcasting Company was the forerunner
of today's public broadcaster Radio New Zealand.
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