Sandy has the spirit and character of a true pioneer and in this interview with Sue Johnston she discusses life on a remote farm in the Nevis Valley. Sandy was born in Canada and trained as nurse. One fateful day in 1973 she met her future husband, and the course of her life was changed. Robert Brown was born and raised in Central Otago and was in Canda on an agricultural exchange programme. After marrying in Canda, the couple moved to New Zealand to take over the running of the Brown’s family farm, Ben Nevis Station. Despite initially lacking luxuries such as electricity (or an indoor toilet!) at the homestead, Sandy managed to provide catering for all the farm workers, an especially big job during shearing. Sandy and Robert’s two children were enrolled in the correspondence school and Sandy describes teaching them at home and arranging camps and activities with other home school families. A huge change to Sandy’s life was brought about by the construction of a hydro station, so that she finally had power for cooking, heating, and a freezer. Running the farm was not the Brown’s only accomplishment: they were very involved in the Cromwell Speedway and also developed a snow mobile business at Craigroy Station.
Interviewer: Sue Johnston
Interview Dates: April 2025
Old Ben Nevis Homestead (1976)
Sandy and Bob Brown wedding (1973)
Land Rover in winter (1992)
Sandy at Cromwell Speedway (1990)
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