Kaye Dragicevich, through her numerous historical articles and books, has been in the local news as an amateur historian for many years.
Her latest book, Pioneer Dalmatian Settlers of the Far North, is a culmination of four-plus years of intensive research, resulting in a professional presentation moving her beyond theranks of amateurism.
As my name might suggest I have a deep interest in Croatian/Dalmatian history, and my university thesis, some 60 years ago, was on Intermarriage of Dalmatians in the Mangonui County. I was honoured to pen the forward to her new book.
Having been born on the Ahipara gum-fields and, delivered by Dave Brass on a gum sack stretched between two manuka poles, I readily relate to the many stories told in the text. I gather her book launch in the Kaitaia Dalmatian Club rooms was a resounding success. Attending the first of her several Auckland meeting venues, I was struck by the enthusiasm, joviality and sheer joy of the stream of purchasers.
It made for a truly festive occasion, with several folk meeting old friends from the Far North who were but a distant memory.
It was an emotionally uplifting experience -Thank you Kaye! Reports are that the other venues were equally well attended and enjoyable.
Pioneer Dalmatian Settlers of the Far North will, I believe, be a treasured possession of anyone with ties to the Dalmatian community. With some 200 families represented, the ties extend beyond the obvious.
