Dr Maurice Matich

You’re going to love this one when it comes out. I’m currently working on Dr Maurice Matich’s autobiography.

Dr Matich began his general practice in Dargaville, Northland, New Zealand,  in 1950 and continued until 2000.  He is the recipient of an OBE, was Chair of the Medical Council and sat on the Royal Commission on Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion.

The sixth son of immigrant Croatians, Dr Matich draws on a long vivid memory to bring to life the days of the depression and demise of gumdigging as a viable income. His father owned one of the first Model T trucks in the District, and members of his extended family produced wine commercially at Hukatere.  Visko, Dr Matich’s father, set up a highly successful fish shop and restaurant in 1932 in Dargaville’s Victoria St, which remained in Matich hands until 2002.

Dr Matich is a good storyteller and you’ll thoroughly enjoy some of the stories that come with this autobiography, particularly the one about the cat in the early thirties on a Saturday morning which was in those days, the busiest shopping day of the week. Remember we’re talking fish shops here.

Note: Published in August 2013 by Phantom House under the title, From Beacon Point by Maurice Matich

NB: Final editing was managed by the Matich family.