Mel and Margaret Kelcher
Melville Kelcher was born on 3 February 1932 in Kurow, North Otago, into a world shaped by hardship and resilience. He was the son of Jack Kelcher, originally from Balcain, North Canterbnury and Winifred Kelcher (née Cox) of Addington, Christchurch. Mel’s early life was marked by the lingering effects of the Great Depression, a time when survival depended on grit, adaptability, and hard work.
During the early 1930s, newly married Jack and Wini travelled south in search of employment. Jack found work on the Waitaki Dam, and the young couple lived in a tent at the workers’ camp . Melville was born in the maternity hospital and soon joined his parents in the camp. The winters were bitterly cold, and life was hard. Unfortunately, the strain of camp life and economic uncertainty eventually took its toll on the marriage. These early experiences, though difficult, shaped Mel’s steady character and strong sense of perseverance.
Melville's siblings included Patricia; and Kevin, Margaret, Jennifer and Patricia James. His schooling began at Tormore Primary School in North Canterbury, followed by Cheviot Area School. He later attended Rangiora High School, where he particularly enjoyed the farming education programme, which suited his practical nature and interest in working the land. He also spent a year at Xavier College in Christchurch, rounding out his formal education.
Leaving school, Mel’s first work was in agricultural labour and tractor driving. He later became a truck driver for North Canterbury Transport. In the late 1950s, Mel took a significant step and bought the Reefton Bakery from his uncle, Ted Rose. The bakery became a central part of family and community life, requiring long hours, early mornings, and steady commitment, all of which Mel took in his stride.
Outside of work, rugby was Mel’s great passion. He was one of the founding members of the Reefton Rugby Club, alongside Ken Gray, Snow Campbell, and others. His commitment to the game was considerable; for a time, he played Saturday rugby for Reefton and then turned out again on Sundays for Greymouth Marist. His ability and dedication saw him selected to play representative rugby for the West Coast.
Mel also enjoyed the excitement of horse racing and was particularly fond of a long-odds bet. He liked doubles and trifectas and was known for carefully studying the “Best Bets,” always hopeful that the next race might be "the big one".
In addition to sport and business, Mel was deeply committed to his community. He became involved in local body politics and served as a councillor on the Inangahua County Council, eventually becoming its Chairman. During his time in office, considerable effort went into trying to bring employment opportunities to Reefton as mining declined. The council worked to attract new industry and lobbied strongly for a proposed beech milling scheme which, although it never eventuated, reflected their determination to secure a future for the town. Margaret occasionally teased him about his role, affectionately calling him “Chairman Mel,” or, with a mischievous smile, “Chairman Mao.”
Margaret Mary O’Neill, later Margaret Mary Kelcher, was born in Greymouth on 19 January 1933, also during the depths of the Depression. She was the daughter of Frank and Lily O’Neill (née Sampson) and grew up with her siblings, Mary and William. She was educated at St Mary’s Primary School and St Mary’s Secondary School in Greymouth, where her lifelong love of learning took root.
Margaret’s childhood was shaped not only by economic hardship but also by the shadow of war. When World War II broke out, she was still young. Her father Frank and his two brothers had all served in World War I and survived the horrors of Passchendaele. Although all three returned home, Frank suffered from what was then known as “shell shock,” an experience that left a lasting impression on the family and helped foster Margaret’s deep interest in history and human experience.
After leaving school, Margaret worked as a clerk at the Ministry of Works. She was an enthusiastic reader and a true bookworm, with a deep appreciation for literature, music, and art. Through the artist and Rawleighs salesman Toss Woolaston, she was introduced to classical music, which became a lasting passion.
Margaret met Melville through her Aunt Eily, a natural matchmaker whose friend in Reefton had noticed the arrival of a promising young man named Mel Kelcher. One thing led to another, and the meeting grew into a partnership that would shape both their lives. Marriage followed, and together they welcomed five children: Frances (1959), Bede (1961), John (1963), Patrick (1965), and Anne (1966). Family life was full and busy.
Back Row: C. McElwee (Coach), J. Hunter, D. Morris, G. Coghlan, B. Caldwell, N. Fensom, J. Wood, P. Bain
Front Row: D. Gilsenan, K. McMahon, K. Gray, R. Hill, M. Kelcher (Captain), M. Venis B. Rosanowski, B. Cummings, Toko Te Aho
1960 Reefton Senior Team
In Reefton, Margaret became heavily involved in Playcentre, eventually serving as Librarian for the West Coast Playcentre Association. She balanced her many responsibilities with warmth and energy and was always active in supporting Sacred Heart School, particularly through the annual “bring and buy,” where her generous quantities of Russian fudge were keenly anticipated.
In 1979, the family made a major transition, moving from Reefton to Christchurch. There, Margaret returned to formal study, enrolling in Liberal Studies at the University of Canterbury. From this beginning, she completed a Bachelor of Arts in History, becoming the first person in the family to earn a university degree. Her academic interests included Irish migration to New Zealand and Australia, Māori history, and New Zealand social history. She built a fine collection of history books, particularly those relating to the West Coast, and maintained close friendships with people from her earlier years.
Margaret’s love of history naturally extended into genealogy. She produced a detailed Kelcher family history and later undertook extensive research into the Sampson family line, leaving a valuable legacy for future generations.
In their later years, both Melville and Margaret continued to give back to their community in practical and meaningful ways. Mel took up gardening work for Age Concern, finding satisfaction in staying active while helping others. Margaret became involved with the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, offering her time, intellect, and compassion to those seeking guidance. Together, they remained closely engaged with their family, their shared interest in genealogy, and the life of St Gregory’s Parish Church, where faith, service, and community remained central to their lives.
Together, Melville and Margaret Kelcher lived lives shaped by the challenges of their era and enriched by commitment to family, community, learning, and service. Mel’s practicality, love of rugby, business sense, and dedication to public life were complemented by Margaret’s intellectual curiosity, creativity, humour, and devotion to education and history. Their shared journey stands as a testament to resilience, partnership, and the enduring value of lives lived generously and well.
work still in progress
I remember visiting Bede after school, and going into the sunroom, where there always seemed to be endless shelves of books.
Bede’s birthday parties were the best of all. Mrs Kelcher put on amazing party food, and we were allowed to play hide and seek through the entire bakery building, which made it feel enormous, hiding amongst the flour sacks, dipping our fingers into the chocolate lamington icing then into the coconut.
What many people don't know, is that Mr Kelcher probably saved my life.
When I was about nine, I was playing “spaceman” in the backyard. I had pulled a plastic bag over my whole head to use as a helmet. I don’t remember much after running around for a while—I must have blacked out. The next thing I remember is waking up on the ground, with Mr Kelcher kneeling over me. He had the plastic bag in his hand and was yelling and shouting, telling me never, ever to do something like that again.
I was incredibly lucky. He had been doing a delivery to the tea rooms next door and happened to be there at exactly the right moment. We never spoke about the incident again.
As I got older, I never forgot what happened. It stayed with me, and when my own kids were younger, it became a story I told them to educate them about the dangers of plastic bags.
My one regret is that I never thanked Mr Kelcher in person before he passed away. I wish I had told him that his quick action didn’t just stop a foolish game—it gave me a life that went on to include children of my own.
My Memories
On leaving Reefton Mr Kelcher gave me this letter –I never asked for it, but he said it might help me get a job– he was right – but most of all it gave me confidence and made me feel good about myself... Thanks Mel...for everything.