Ruth Greenaway
Ruth Greenaway is a highly experienced oral historian with over 25 years of practice, capturing the stories that shape our lives and communities. She has worked with families, community groups, corporations, and on projects of national significance, researching and writing about social change and organisational histories. Driven by a deep love of storytelling, Ruth is known for her thoughtful interviews and her ability to bring people's lived experiences vividly to life on the page. She believes oral history is a powerful thread that connects us—linking past and present, and strengthening the fabric of culture and society. Ruth shares her passion for stories that matter through her work as an oral historian and historical researcher, inviting audiences to reflect on the voices, memories, and histories which connect us all.
Tapestries was founded in 1999, and since then, Ruth has interviewed over 600 people.. "My theory is that by 'weaving our stories together' we can gain a deeper understanding of our shared humanity," says Ruth. Tapestries has been commissioned to undertake historic research and oral history interviews by individuals, families, organisations, Radio New Zealand and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
Ruth is a member of the New Zealand Oral History Association, the International Oral History Association, the New Zealand Society of Authors and the Professional Historians Association of New Zealand
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My Story - Klara Rudolfy
Klára Rudolfy was born in 1910. She remembered as a four-year old, the men in her family leaving home to fight in the First World War. As a young woman establishing a career as a journalist, Klára met her soul mate Steve, they married and had children before the onset of World War II. Klára lived through immense changes in 20th Century Europe.
This compilation of stories and reflections on life, traverse a rich period of Central European history from a personal perspective. Some of her amazing story is told in this book; reproduced by Ruth Greenaway from her own writings later in life. This book now serves as a gift to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; the youngest of whom she never met. (Fruzi Kerridge - Client) This book was published in 2016.
My Story, Your Story - Together builds community
For Auckland North Community and Development Inc (ANCAD) Ruth interviewed community leaders on Auckland's North Shore in 2014 after ANCAD celebrated its own 40th AGM. A total of 54 stories are documented in this publication. Ruth’s oral history expertise, and my photographic experience was an excellent combination for what turned out to be a huge project.
Ruth’s enthusiasm for history and community development, her ability to cross reference and to notice important observations were a winning combination. It was a privilege and a pleasure to work with Ruth on this book and her kindness towards people combined with a love for story telling shone through. (Yvonne Powely, CEO - ANCAD) This book was published in 2016. Read stories from the book HERE
Research Report
I did a very interesting historic report for a client in 2017. He got a lot of media after this too. Mr Begg had received a grant from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (in 1969 - the second year it was operating.) But go forward 48 years and I helped him do his accountability report. By then it had to be a piece of history whereas when he did his travels he was looking at new innovations in the fishing industry to bring back to NZ, in particular to the Timaru Fishing Co. where he worked. Innovations at the time included learning how to produce the fish finger. True!
By the way he went onto receive his WCMT fellowship at government house from the Govenor General.
A history of the Christchurch Environment Centre
This is a compiled history of the first environment centre established in NZ (based in Christchurch). It was first published in 2007 and then re-printed in 2018 by the Janet Holm Commemoration Group. This was a great project to be involved in and I interviewed quite a few people for this, including Rod Donald (d).
The project was funded by the NZ Lotteries Commission.
Threads of Caring
Drawing on archival and oral sources, Threads of Caring delves beneath this caring institution to the stories of the many people at its heart; to the families who came for help, and the commitment and challenges faced by the ATWC's Christian founders and those who followed them to meet those needs. I have co-authored this book with another oral historian, Megan Hutching.
We are FOSTERS
From 2021-22, Tapestries worked with Foster Construction Group Ltd, based in Hamilton / Kirikiriroa. This company's story began in 1946. 'This history illustrates key moments in the shaping of the company which parallel the shaping of Hamilton city.' As the Waikato Business Review observed in 1995, ‘Foster Construction had its beginnings in Morrinsville in the 1950s, moved to Hamilton in the 1960s, and has been writing its signature on Hamilton and parts of the Waikato ever since.’
A History of Councils of Social Service
Ruth has been commissioned by Auckland North Community and Development Inc, to research and write a history of the original network of Councils of Social Service (COSS). The story begins at the end of WW1, when the British National Council of Social Services was established. The first COSS in NZ was in Napier in 1933, in response to the 1931 earthquake. At its height, there were over 50+ councils, plus a national body - NZCOSS, today, known as Community Networks Aotearoa.