Memé
Category: Book
| Title | Memé |
|---|---|
| Author | Memé Churton |
| Year | 2012 |
| Publisher | David Ling Publishing Limited |
| ISBN | 9781877378706 |
| Language | English |
| Format | Paperback |
| Online resource | no |
| Topic | Autobiography, War Brides, Italian Women in New Zealand |
Italian born, from Chinese father and Italian mother, Meme Churton is very well known throughout the arts community, the business community through her marriage to Jock Churton of Fletcher Construction and to the many thousands of students she has taught Italian language and culture at The University of Auckland. This is a unique autobiography by a remarkable woman who tells the story of her amazing life in vivid, personal detail. Growing up in Italy, she lived through the rise of Fascism and the Second World War. Next she went to China and, while working as a diplomat, found herself in the midst of the Chinese Revolution. Then she travelled to the other side of the world at the invitation of a New Zealand soldier whom she had met at the end of the war. Meme was shocked by the curiously old-fashioned and provincial way of life she found in 1950s New Zealand, but for various reasons she stayed, got married, and became involved in a variety of campaigns to enlarge its culture. She also managed one of the first dealer art galleries, started one of its first European-style coffee bars, championed international cuisine, and promoted fashion for women.
Other resources:
Interview with Meme Churton
Meme Ludovica Lilliana (Battisti Ching) CHURTON Death Notice
Meme Churton was a 'curiosity'
Michele Hewitson interview: Meme Churton
