Category: Book

Chatting about named flats at Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival

Councillor Aaron Hawkins will be asking Sarah and Ian some probing questions about flats they have known as well as some of the deeper issues that have cropped up in researching Scarfie Flats of Dunedin.

This is a free event at the Dunedin Writers and Readers Festival, so come along to Hanover Hall for 1-2pm on Saturday 11 May. University Bookshop will be there for book sales.

Here we all are at the book launch at the Staff Club on 21 February – thanks to Steve Gallagher for the photo!

Scarfie Flats is part of The Great Map of New Zealand Stories

If you’ve ever visited a place you’ve previously read about in a book then you’ll know that it adds a special something to your experience of the physical space – much like reading about a place after having visited it causes you to recall you impressions and experience of being there.

Mapping places mentioned in books is, in fact, a thing, and The Great Map of New Zealand Stories is doing it here. So if you’re interested in reading about a particular area, check out the map, zoom in and connect with a story in a book which will give you an insight into that place. The addresses for each of the main stories from Scarfie Flats in Dunedin has been mapped in The Great Map of New Zealand Stories.

https://commutingbook.maps.arcgis.com/apps/StoryMapCrowdsource/index.html?appid=49a3620f4b7648ceac888aa265400feb

Upcoming event at Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival

We’re so fortunate in Dunedin to have a stunning literary culture, which is celebrated through our status as a UNESCO City of Literature, and celebrations like the Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival.

On Saturday 11 May, 1-2pm, Ian Chapman and I will be discussing Scarfie Flats of Dunedin with the wonderful Aaron Hawkins who wrote a stunning chapter in the book.

Scarfie Flats is a free event.

Missing details

Can you fill in the blanks?

While I’ve collected details of flat names and address for over 500 flats which you can see on the flats map, I do have a list of named flats where details are missing. I’ve heard about these flats from a variety of sources: memoirs, emails, facebooks posts…

In order to map a flat I need an accurate address (even if that street doesn’t exist anymore, like with Hobbit) and to see patterns of naming over time I need to know the decade that flat was present in.

How you can help

If you have any details about any of the following flats, please do email me at flatnames[at]gmail.com mentioning the flat by name and any details you remember.

Dunedin Flats research receives funding from MCH

I’m very fortunate to have been accepted, along with 9 others, as a recipient of the 2011 New Zealand History Research Trust Fund from Ministry of Culture and Heritage. This is going to be enormously helpful in finishing the research for the book, and in particular, fund the purchase of images to illustrate it.

My greatful thanks to the Ministry for this opportunity.

Dunedin Flats research receives funding from MCH

Last call for stories – flat names, the book

Last night I put out a last call for stories and photos that can be contributed to the book I’m writing about Dunedin’s named student flats.

There’s been a bit of a rush on photo tagging which is always good to see, and for me, it means I have a way of getting in touch with people who knew these flats and may have a tale to tell.

The flats tagged in the last 24 hours are: Pink Flat the Door, The Debacle, The Bach, The Cahnaging Rooms, The Dog Box, and Moe’s. Check out the photos on the Facebook Group /a24a5be7a6076556c8c2f16e5065bd40/reqs.php#!/group.php?gid=7181752690.

Good luck to those sitting exams – go well!

Field trip

I’m going to be in Dunedin next week sifting around taking photos of flats and doing some research for the book. If you’re around and in a named flat, it’s be very cool to get a pick of you outside your digs. If you’re interested, message me on Facebook or [email protected]. Otherwise I might just see you in the ghetto.