By Lois Galer
June 8, 2023
If Lois Galer is remembered for one trait, it would be for being somewhat outspoken, particularly when it comes to protecting Dunedin’s rich historic heritage, about which Lois has written five books. But there are other issues that have aroused her passion, too, like promoting equal opportunities and rights for women, and broadening the horizons of those who for generations have been hidden behind their aprons.
That she chose outside employment over schoolwork before she turned 15, was never a disadvantage to her. She simply saw it as a chance to move onwards and upwards in her chosen fields, with motherhood neatly slotted between career changes. As an only and lonely child, Lois was determined from the start that things would be different for her children. She and her seafaring husband Bill had three daughters in under four years. From then on life became a roller coaster of adventurers with travel, career changes and with another couple, a foray into the international business world with a cure for smelly feet! Taking early retirement, the two moved to Central Otago to run a backpacker lodge and restore an early gold-miner’s cottage where Lois wrote her sixth book, Time to Smell the Roses.
In her memoir…but I digress Lois’s journey through life is largely centred on her love of Dunedin, its built heritage, its beauty and its social scene before TV, which will no doubt jog the memories of many of her contemporaries.
Comments
I have just read Lois’s memoir, “….but I digress.”
I write to congratulate her and thank her for writing such an excellent and heart-felt book.
Like her, I grew up in Dunedin – I was born in 1945 and lived in Dunedin from then until 1981 when I left to live in Wellington, then Auckland. So some of my time there overlapped with hers, and I enjoyed reading about places, people and events that I remember so well.
I enjoyed Lois’s passion for Dunedin and the way she expressed her love for the city, especially its built heritage and its history.
Also like her, I love Dunedin and would happily return there to live if circumstances allowed.
Her life has been so full of adventure! I am hugely impressed at how well she welcomed and coped with all the challenges and opportunities she encountered, and how well she managed to combine being a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, hairdresser, journalist, author, conservation expert, B&B operator, gardener, conservator, DIY expert, advocate for women, and so much else besides.
She is clearly a most impressive woman, a great role model, and an all round good sort.
I would be grateful if whoever receives this message will send it on to Lois with my heartfelt thanks and congratulations.
Kind regards
Mike Groves