By Suzanne Christie-Broun
The Broun Clan were originally from Edinburgh, Scotland.
This photo is from the wedding of John Stewart Broun (b1933 d2021) to Caroline Wilson Broun nee Dreenan (b1934 d2016) at the Howick All Saints Church in 1968.
John moved up to live at 58 Parkhill Lane in Howick in 1960 (see photo) when his father (Jack Lennon Broun b1893 d1969) retired from his position as Executive Member of the Ford Motor Company of New Zealand, in Seaview, Wellington after 41 years’ service. John’s mother (Elisabeth Lynne nee Nicholson b 1902) died in 1963 shortly after the move up.
Following the birth of Steven and Felicity Broun, John started a business in the Pakuranga Town Centre in the 1970’s, called John Broun’s Menswear. John Broun’s Menswear moved to Highland Park Shopping Centre in 1982 and operated until 1988 before closing the store.
Although Johns daughter, Felicity moved to Australia, his son Steve has remained with close ties to the area, presently teaching in a local school. Steven married in 2005 to a local, Suzanne Christie (interestingly – was born at the Howick Obstetric Hospital on Selwyn Road – opposite the All Saints Church) and now has two young children, Grace and Annelise Broun.
This photo is Grace and Annelise Broun outside the All Saints Church on the recent Queen’s Memorial Day. Following their Scottish roots, from their mother’s Scottish family history, they both compete throughout New Zealand in Highland Dancing.
This family tradition started on their mother’s side, with their great grandmother (Vera Nixon nee Gibson b1925 d2017), their grandmother (Carolyn Christie b1946 d2008) (see first photo) and their mother.