Doctor Eugene Rogers

One of the earliest Oral Histories held by Hamilton City Libraries is one with Doctor Eugene Rogers. Eugene was born in Blenheim in 1884, and studied medicine at Otago University. After overseas study, he returned to New Zealand and settled in Hamilton, where he practised medicine for almost sixty years.

"Well, I came to Hamilton in January 1911...I didn't have
much money, in fact very little. However, I thought "This
is a place where one can really enjoy life."There seemed
to be a feeling of good fellowship in the air, and the sun
shone, and that was enough for me."

He was known as a quiet and compassionate man who was concerned for the poor.

In 1912 he married Gwendoline O'Callaghan, and they had 3 children, Anthony, Patricia and Denis. Both sons followed him into medicine, and both were involved in community projects. Anthony became Labour MP for Hamilton East,and Denis was Mayor of Hamilton for many years.

London St as it was in 1906, shortly before Eugene bought his property there. (HCL 2282

One of Eugene's great loves was  gardening, and he created a beautiful garden filled with outstanding horticultural specimens on his riverside property. He was also very interested in the arts, and he and Gwendoline- a well-known local artist- were instrumental in founding the Waikato Society of the Arts in 1934. Eugene was the founding president. They also worked tirelessly together on the the Hamilton Beautifying Society, established in 1912.

Eugene died in 1982, having seen Hamilton grow into a thriving city. This Oral History, describing his early years here draws a vivid picture of life in Hamilton in the second decade of the 19th century.