I’m going to be in Dunedin next week sifting around taking photos of flats and doing some research for the book. If you’re around and in a named flat, it’s be very cool to get a pick of you outside your digs. If you’re interested, message me on Facebook or flatnames@gmail.com. Otherwise I might just see you in the ghetto.
Russell Brown at Media 7 talks with Roger Shepherd about his recent Flying Nun records re-acquisition.
“Point that thing somewhere else” / The Clean
This is one of the songs mentioned in Graeme Downes’s article referenced in an earlier blog post about the “It’s time to go flat” on Clyde Street.
A wonderful, and hopefully burgeoning, collection of Flying Nun ephemera.
It’s commonly known as “The Scarfie’s flat”, although it doesn’t have a sign. 49 Brown Street is best known for it’s role playing a strong, silent, sinister character in the 1999 Sarkies brothers’ film, Scarfies. It can be found stolidly anchored in dilapidated grandeur, glowering over the city of Dunedin from Cannongate.
The house had a group page on Facebook which unfortunately seems to have been taken down. It was frequented by past residence and there were several mentions of hauntings which was interesting.
Below, is a photo of a graffito of the house itself on the wall which supports the Cannongate Steps. Source.
Soon a 1st edition of James K. Baxter’s Small Ode on Mixed Flatting will be on my book shelf. Thank you Renaissance Books, Dunedin. Here’s an earlier post about the Caxton Press.
Personal collection
85 Clyde Street, Tui’s Tavern, was named by Gene Graham for the flat cat who in turn was named for Tui Takeaways, a long standing provider of a greasy package of ‘chips and stuff’ for many generations of students at Otago.
Gene remembers the sign was “made with spray paint and a stencil and a box of double brown”.
Tui’s takeaway at 20 Malcolm Street (the current site of a cafe, Food Department), for many Scarfie’s past, was a scene of sustenance, refuge, ‘spacies’ and trivia on the way home from a night out on the town – or a few jugs at The Cook. After serving generations of students at all hours, Tui closed it doors in December 2005.
Kum Yuen “Kim” Chin, a.k.a. Mr Tui (Snr), ran the Tui Cafe from the 1950s-1970s at it’s location at 54 Albany Street. His son, Mr Tui (Jnr) took up the apron later on.
Mr Tui (Jnr?) is remembered for delivering large quantities of ‘chips and stuff ’ to parties in the student ghetto. The stuff being an assortment of deep fried goods – the more memorable being potato patties (‘just big chips’) and ‘random fritters with peas and stuff’. He’s also fondly remembered for his trivia questions.
Jim Mora reminisces about the original Tui on Albany St in the 1970s in a Critic retrospective of 80 years writing editorial. (Note Jim also lived in a couple of named flats “Nightmare Abbey” and “Free Latvia.)
Roi Colbert, writer, commentator on music and anything he feels like, and ex-proprietor of Records Records, reflects on Orientation Week and recalls unflattering memories of Tui Takeaways.
The OUSA Fish N Chip Review which was initiated in 2000, reported on nine different establishments in 2005. Gruesome descriptions of the age of the oil used wouldn’t entice me back, even if the place was still open – even for a game of Devastators or Mortal Kombat. Needless to say,Tui didn’t win the cup.
Joe Tui features first in Fighting Talk’s 50 Most Powerful People of 2005, “A surprise selection, perhaps, not least because of the regionally-specific nature of Tui’s operations. Owner-operator of Tui’s takeaways in Dunedin, ‘Mr. Tui’ as he is affectionately known to his patrons, is the dominant force in the underground fish ‘n chips market in the Otago region. Tui has been feeding drunken Dunedin students for many years now as they make the fabled trek across the road from the Captain Cook Tavern to stuff their faces on chunky greasy goodness. One could say Tui is feeding the future face of the nation. And with rumours circulating of an impending Tui’s franchise with tentacles reaching into the North Island, this man may be set to grasp culinary power on an unprecedented scale.”
The Joe Tui club was created in 2006 in New Plymouth. “FOR SEVERAL GENERATIONS OF OTAGO ALUMNI, JOE TUI’S name is legendary, synonymous with late nights and fast food. The latest incarnation of Tui’s café has recently closed, but the name lives on in New Plymouth, where the Spotswood College Joe Tui Club continues to induct Otago graduates into its inner circle as they join the college staff.” University of Otago Magazine, Issue 14, June 2006, 47
After Kim Chin’s death in 2002 an obituary was published in the University of Otago Magazine, ‘Remembering Jo Tui” University of Otago Magazine, Issue 3, October 2002, 40-41.
Some Tui related links
Fond farewell to ‘chips and stuff’ Critic 2006, by Jon Ong
Dunedin icon closes its doors Critic 2006, by Dave Taine
Tui’s Takeaways Memorial group on Facebook
I’ve taken the Tui Challange group on Facebook
I’ve just read this review (link above), and I agree largely with it. I didn’t find this a surrealistist representation of life at the time either. Aspects of the story were all all too familiar and real to me. I don’t believe this is in any way a reflection on Otago/Dunedin or a reason to disuade someone from going to the university there however. It’s more a reflection of the kind of people some young adults find themselves becoming. For some, growing up is no picnic.
The Community Archive’s end of year newsletter features a photo of Pink Flat the Door.
Dunedin Flat Names Project 