15/11/2025
Outdoor pursuits were a regular part of the Theomin family’s activities. Trips to Aoraki/Mt Cook in 1907 and in 1911 began a passion for the children, most especially for daughter Dorothy, who loved climbing and tramping for the rest of her life. Another destination was Lake Wakatipu where the family would stay at Paradise at the Lake’s head, surrounded by amazing river valleys and mountain ranges: places to explore and adventures to be had. There is a photo, taken in March 1911, of a group of people outside the door of the Ho**er Hut (Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park), showing David (seated centre) and Dorothy (far right) together with close friend and mountain guide Peter Graham (in the doorway). The photo was taken by Eleanor Joachim who was a friend of Dorothy.
Golf was played by Mrs Theomin and by Edward and Dorothy too. In the upstairs Sitting Room is a trophy inscribed with Dorothy’s name from the Otago Golf Club, New Zealand’s oldest. Dorothy also played hockey and tennis with friends, and both she and Edward would go horse riding. Dorothy rode side-saddle and straight on. Her horses competed at the races at Wingatui racecourse on the Taieri.
Dorothy was introduced to many sports at Roedean Girls School in England, which she attended for several years from 1902, and these continued to be part of her adult lifestyle.
Along with horse riding, tramping and mountain climbing Edward enjoyed simply walking. He and an old school friend, Colin Gilray, walked the Maniototo and all the way to Dunedin over one week in 1915. Edward also belonged to the Otago Motor Club.
Dorothy's adventures took her all over the West Coast as well as to the bottom of the South Island. She forded rivers on horseback, tramped many miles of bush and tracks, and climbed at least 46 summits in our Southern Alps. Around 4 to 8 weeks were spent in the mountains each year, so much of her life was engaged in pursuing her favourite outdoor activities.
The family definitely lived life to the full, making the most of all New Zealand offered.
Photo caption:
Dorothy and David outside Ho**er Hut.
Ladies Golf Championship at the Otago Golf Club: Dorothy seated on steps with clubs and Marie standing in the front row in a dark dress (Otago Witness, 15 January 1913).
Dorothy, Edward and Ethel Theomin on their horses in the early 1920s (unknown photographer, Private collection).
Edward Theomin's Sunbeam car.
Margery Blackman’s book: Dorothy Theomin of Olveston.
Come on one of our six daily 1-hour guided tours and learn about the Theomin family, their magnificent collection and how they lived in the early 1900s.
Olveston Historic Home is an authentic historic experience in the heart of Dunedin.
Article prepared by Vivienne Houston, guide at Olveston Historic Home.
