Memorial to Tanya Burr, 1981-2002

Memorial to Tanya Burr, killed 15 September 2002

Dane's Memories: How I remember her

Hi Val,

I'd better start by introducing myself. My name is Dane Rushton. I used to live in Acacia St until I was 7 (I'm now 21). I was in the same class all the way through Whakarongo as Tanya and briefly at Freyberg. We were also at kindy together (so I'm told).

After discovering the website you created in Tanya's memory, I was inspired to write this email to you containing my memories, and some pictures of her, which you may not have. I've spent the last couple of months writing, rewriting (several times) and trying to decide whether or not to actually send it.

On the Tuesday after her death, I stayed up to the early hours of the morning going through several photo albums I have from my Whakarongo days. I found several pictures containing Tanya, as I remember her, up until the age of about 12/13. Most are class photos, which you probably already have (If you don't, please tell me and I'll get copies made), as well as some from class trips. I thought you may like to have them, so I've attached a couple of photos that I have found.

The first photo was taken in 1986, which would have been our first year at Whakarongo at a bakery somewhere. By the way, I'm the one standing 2 along from Tanya (who is second from right) in the blue and red jacket. I'm a lot taller with longer, darker hair now :) (This was in Tremaine Avenue. I think I must have been there too. - V.)

The second was taken a couple of years later. I'm not sure when but suspect it was in Ms Smiths class. The bearded guy is my Dad, so I'm guessing that I took the photo. (Tanya is at right with sand in her eye presumably)

It's quite weird the strange conversations and events that you remember having with someone. I'll list a couple of the ones I recall most clearly:

I remember her telling me about how she got up one night, and found her Uncle half-naked in the kitchen. (Tanya's uncle, Russell, boarded with us then and doubtless was wearing 'enough' for decency in order to get a drink of water or whatever, but not enough to avoid amusing Tanya!!!)
One day she was off school. The next day she was back, and I asked her whether she had been sick. She said she had taken the day off because her cat had died. At that point I didn't have a cat, and remember thinking 'its just a cat'. I now have a cat and so now know better. (Possibly this was Suzie, who we found dead one morning just inside our front gate, just before school)
I also remember playing in the large tree at Whakarongo with her. It was the big tree near where the swimming pool was, which had (has) branches that drooped down, given an open area underneath. During Autumn, the ground would get covered in a deep layer of leaves. I recall us climbing up onto the second branch, and jumping off into the leaves. This was before they built the wooden playground. I have no idea whether any of this is still there, because I haven't had anything to do with Whakarongo for many years. (The 'Climbing Tree' and the 'Umbrella Tree' are still there after over half a century, but a large lower branch of the 'Climbing Tree' fell off just before the Xmas break in 2002 - with the help of pupils! Part of the wooden playground equipment that was attached to it, also had to be altered.)
At the end of the school field was a small forest, which we weren't allowed to enter. I recall myself, Tanya and others sneaking up there and running around. It all seemed so exciting at the time.
And many others....

I'm not sure why I remember those events, but they were what came to mind when I heard her name on the news. I attended the funeral with my Sister and Mum. It was good to see many other class mates from our Primary Schools days. We all recognised each other. We may be taller, but still look basically the same. I've been going through the photos of Tanya on your site. In most of them she looks just like I remember her, just older. Having said that, who knows whether we would have recognised each other if we had passed on the street. I would like to express my deepest condolences to you, your family and Tanya's friends at the awful time. Let us all remember her in good times.

Dane Rushton

Dane subsequently added:

If I remember correctly Tanya and I were in Miss Smiths and Mrs Winters (first funeral I went to) class for two years each. Then Mr Payne's for 3? (only 1 for me because I changed to Ross Intermediate - big mistake!). As well as New Entrance in Miss Quaffs (I know I spelt that incorrectly - s/be Quaife) class. I'm guessing that each teacher now only does 1 year each as opposed to 2 or 3 years at a time when we were there? (Note: Dot Winter, one of the small rural school's four teachers at that time, died suddenly over a weekend on 30 June 1991, and for many pupils her death was probably their first close-up contact with a sudden death and corresponding very sad funeral. The school closed early for Dot's funeral just as it would do eleven years later for Tanya's.)