06/12/2025
Dorothy Theomin's Final Trip.
Dorothy, a seasoned and passionate traveller throughout her life, departed by plane to the northern hemisphere one final time on May 6th, 1952, via the USA. Luckily for us, we can follow Dorothy’s adventure through her European holiday via a series of letters and telegrams sent to Mr T G Weir of the Glendermid Tanney (of which her Father and brother had previously been managers). The first of these communications between them by telegram was received by Mr Weir from Miss Theomin on the 13th May to say “Arrived yesterday Splendid flight All well Love Dorothy.
She later wrote to Mr Weir on 23-5-52 from Park Lane Hotel:
She writes that herself and Miss Bell are loving London and having a busy time catching up with friends. “Mr Harold Berliner (her father’s nephew) has been charming, dining and wining them and taking us to Theatre's and Hampton Court Country Club. They were walking miles every day, the pavements and floors being hard on their feet.” Dorothy had caught up with Miss Elliot who had been housekeeper at Olveston for many years, travelling to Hyde Park and enjoying afternoon tea outside. Dorothy also recounts in this letter that she had also been out buying new clothes.
In the next letter, dated 31.5 .52, Dorothy writes to Mr Weir that “money in England was melting like butter in the sun” but some friends had offered to loan her some so she didn’t think she would have to go the poor house! She notes that a return berth had been organised for her on the P&O Strathairn leaving 4th December, and that her fare to Sydney was £290 for a cabin with bath. She was enjoying life immensely, and the weather was wonderfully kind. She had seen the Trouping of the Colour, with the Duke of Gloucester taking the Parade, and it was a lovely show.
In the third letter, dated 22-6-52, Dorothy spoke of a visit to Portsmouth to visit friends. She also asked Mr Weir if he would visit Olveston for her to see if he and Mrs McKay thought her bedroom could do with a new carpet and she would purchase one while in London.
In Dorothy’s next letter dated 3.8.52, she writes from Amsterdam and thanks Mr. Weir for the carpet measurements. From here it was off to Birmingham to visit the Phillips family (her father’s sisters’ family) and then to Harrogate to visit the Rev Newton who she met at Franz Joseph Glacier many years ago, and then on to Edinburgh with Miss Bell for the Tea Festival. A packed schedule indeed!
In our final letter dated 15.9.52, Dorothy told Mr Weir she was still “spending money like water”, she had purchased her new bedroom carpet and needed to organise payment and transport which was a bit tricky. She was then off on a trip to France and Spain in a motor coach for four weeks with Lady Olsen and Miss Chapman (daughter of a NZ Judge Sir Frederick Chapman). She concluded that she “would have to live on bread and water on her return”, S’nomatter.”
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.
