The second child of Edgar Studholme (1866-1949), Michael David Studholme was the last surviving grandchild of Michael Studholme (1833-1886), the first European settler at Waimate.
David was born at Te Waimate and his early schooling was at home and later at Christ's College. He left school in 1929 to commence a 50 year a farming career. An early pioneer of Border Romney sheep, in 1968 David went into partnership to buy Braemar Station in the Mackenzie country, which he farmed until 1975.
On his retirement David became an enthusiastic and widely recognised expert on the restoration and construction of earth buildings. In recognition of this he was awarded the Queen's Service Medal in 1992, a Rotary foundation Paul Harris Fellow medal and NZ Historic Places Trust certificate of meritorious service in 2004.
David supervised the restoration of The Cuddy, built in 1854 in the grounds of Te Waimate. This was soon followed by the restoration of other buildings including the original Molesworth Station homestead, Acheron accommodation house, Top House (Nelson), Paterson's cottage in Kurow and the Waimate museum's new earth building.
The last years of his life were spent at the Bishopspark Retirement Village in Christchurch. David's farewell service was held on a warm autumn day at his birthplace in the garden he loved so much. He is survived by his children Jane, Nicola and Michael, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
David was born at Te Waimate and his early schooling was at home and later at Christ's College. He left school in 1929 to commence a 50 year a farming career. An early pioneer of Border Romney sheep, in 1968 David went into partnership to buy Braemar Station in the Mackenzie country, which he farmed until 1975.
On his retirement David became an enthusiastic and widely recognised expert on the restoration and construction of earth buildings. In recognition of this he was awarded the Queen's Service Medal in 1992, a Rotary foundation Paul Harris Fellow medal and NZ Historic Places Trust certificate of meritorious service in 2004.
David supervised the restoration of The Cuddy, built in 1854 in the grounds of Te Waimate. This was soon followed by the restoration of other buildings including the original Molesworth Station homestead, Acheron accommodation house, Top House (Nelson), Paterson's cottage in Kurow and the Waimate museum's new earth building.
The last years of his life were spent at the Bishopspark Retirement Village in Christchurch. David's farewell service was held on a warm autumn day at his birthplace in the garden he loved so much. He is survived by his children Jane, Nicola and Michael, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Further reading:
Death of leading historian and South Canterbury farmer, The Timaru Herald, 06 June 2008
Profile: David Studholme, Heritage New Zealand, Winter 2005
No comments:
Post a Comment