Brian and (Irene) Thelma Lowndes, long-time Eastbourne residents with many community involvements, talk about the Wahine disaster, 10 April 1968 and various Eastbourne identities. Brian recounts his involvement in rescuing Wahine passengers and crew beyond Burdans Gate. He also recounts the involvement of his late brother, Des Lowndes, also a rescuer and member of the Eastbourne Volunteer Fire Brigade. Thelma relates local stories and her impression of the day and Brian's role.
Dates Covered10th April 1968
Oro | Audio
Tuhinga | Document
Kohinga | Collection
Life raft and wreckage of ship Wahine on Eastbourne beach. Dominion Post (Newspaper): Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post and Dominion newspapers. Ref: EP/1968/1578/24-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, NZ.
AcknowledgmentsThe audio interviews were made possible by the Hutt City Council Heritage Fund.
Accompanying material to the interviews include interview abstracts.
Brian and Thelma Lowndes: oral history collection. Hutt City Heritage, accessed 24/06/2026, https://huttcity.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/6726