Eve Poole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eve Poole
QSO
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Poole in 1990
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| 41st Mayor of Invercargill | |
| In office 1983–1992† |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Eva Auerbach
29 December 1924 Frankfurt, Germany |
| Died | 26 December 1992 (aged 67) Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Resting place | Eastern Cemetery, Invercargill |
| Spouse |
Vernon Clive Poole
(m. 1943) |
| Children | 4 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Auxiliary Territorial Service |
| Years of service | 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Private |
| Service number | 195779 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Eve Poole was a very important New Zealand politician. She was born Eva Auerbach on December 29, 1924. She became the Mayor of Invercargill in 1983. She held this job until she passed away in 1992. Eve Poole was special because she was the first woman to be mayor of Invercargill. She was also the first Jewish person to hold this role.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Eve Poole was born in Frankfurt, Germany. Her birth name was Eva Auerbach. She was born on December 29, 1924. Her parents, Hinde and Nachman Auerbach, were Polish migrants. The family moved to Berlin in the late 1920s.
In 1932, her father was attacked during a Nazi protest against Jewish people. This event made the family want to move to Palestine. Many of Eve's mother's family members also moved there. Sadly, most of her father's family died in The Holocaust. Eve and her sister Pnina often shared their beds. They made space for other refugees their family helped.
Joining the Army
Like her older siblings, Eve joined the British Eighth Army. She became a driver in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. She lied about her age to join. She trained in Tell El Kebir. There, she got engaged to a French officer named Jean.
In 1942, she became a driver for Vernon Poole. He was a tank commander. He was part of the 20th Battalion of the 2nd New Zealand Division. Eve and Vernon fell in love. She ended her engagement with Jean. Vernon was also engaged to someone else in Invercargill. Eve and Vernon married on March 1, 1943, in Cairo. Her parents were not happy about this.
Moving to New Zealand
Eve received an honourable discharge from the army. This happened when she found out she was pregnant. She traveled to New Zealand on the MS Wanganella. She moved in with Vernon's family in Invercargill. She started using the name Eve all the time. This was to avoid confusion with Vernon's sister, who was also named Eva.
Vernon was soon discharged from the army too. Two years later, they moved into their own home. Vernon had designed and built it himself. They had four children: Helen, Vivienne, Michele, and Clive.
Eve's Talents and Public Life
Eve had trained at Habima Theatre. She later taught drama at Southland Girls' High School. She also worked as a speech therapist. She helped people with disabilities. Eve was very good at languages. She spoke German, English, French, and Hebrew.
In the 1950s and 1960s, she became well-known. She was an actor and producer. She worked with the Invercargill Repertory Society. She performed in many plays.
Political Journey
Eve Poole became interested in local politics. She was upset when someone suggested moving the Troopers' Memorial. Her brother-in-law, Percy Poole, encouraged her. He was a city councillor. Former mayoress Mabel Wachner also gave her advice.
Joining the City Council
In 1971, Eve successfully ran for the Invercargill City Council. She was only the second woman to run for the council. She was the first woman to be elected. In 1974, she received the most votes. She was then made Deputy Mayor.
As Deputy Mayor, Eve appeared on a TV talk show. It was called Beauty and the Beast. There, she met Catherine Tizard. Catherine later became the first female mayor of Auckland. This happened in the same year Eve became the first female mayor of Invercargill.
Becoming Mayor
Eve was asked to run for mayor in 1977. But she decided not to at that time. She first tried to become mayor in 1980. She lost to the current mayor, F. Russell Miller, by 400 votes. Because she didn't run for council again, she was out of public office.
In 1982, Eve Poole received an important award. She was made a Companion of the Queen's Service Order. This was for her public services.
Eve returned to politics in 1983. She ran for Mayor again. She won against John Russell and Jim Fenton. She received 56.8 percent of the votes. She became the first woman mayor of Invercargill. She was also the first Jewish mayor.
Mayor's Achievements
The 1984 Southland flood happened early in her first term. Eve was praised for how she handled the emergency. Her daughter Michele later worked in emergency management.
As Mayor, Eve Poole strongly supported the arts. She helped build the Invercargill Public Library. After she passed away, the library was named in her honor. She was also the president of the Southland Museum Trust Board. She was a member of other art groups too.
Eve also wanted to make the city more beautiful. She planted flowers in the city center. She installed colorful paving stones. She even bought secondhand Christmas lights from London. When Dame Catherine Tizard visited Invercargill, Eve gave her a painting. It was of Milford Sound by local artist Peter Beadle.
Eve usually stayed neutral on national politics. But she spoke out against the government's economic policies. She even led a march of protestors.
Eve helped Invercargill create its first sister city relationship. This was with Kumagaya, Japan. In 1992, she received a Melvin Jones Fellowship. This award is from Lions Clubs International.
Eve first planned to retire in 1992. This was after her daughter Helen passed away in February. But in July, she announced she would run for a fourth term. It was a very close election. Eve won with 37.86% of the votes.
Passing Away
Just one month after being elected for her fourth term, Eve Poole became ill. She was admitted to Dunedin Hospital on November 25, 1992. She had severe back pain. Doctors found out she had cancer.
The treatment did not work. She developed an infection after a biopsy. Eve Poole passed away on December 26, 1992. She was 67 years old. She is buried at Invercargill's Eastern Cemetery. Her husband, Vernon, who passed away in 2002, is buried there too.
