This is an amateur home video that is part of the Dame Gaylene Preston Collection. This film was recorded at 1 McVay Street, Napier in May 1988.
An elderly man [relationship unknown] in an armchair plays with baby Chelsie Preston-Crayford (daughter of Dame Gaylene Preston), discussing the growth of her hair and the experience of being recorded by a video camera.
Inside a kitchen, Tui Preston (mother of Gaylene) lays out breakfast while the others talk about bananas. Chelsie sits in her highchair playing with a toy car, joined by the man from before who sits down for a cup of tea with Ed Preston (father of Gaylene). They talk about lemons and the joy of growing fruit trees. Jonathan Crayford (father of Chelsie) and Tui have a conversation while preparing cheese sandwiches. Tui gives Chelsie the toy car she dropped from her highchair. The garden is seen through a window. Outside, Gaylene films succulent plants and Jonathan.
In the kitchen, Tui speaks indistinctly while eating. Ephemera held on the fridge is shown. Jonathan and Ed speak about beer. Chelsie eats and reacts to the calls of those around her, flapping hands, peeking out, and clapping her head. Tui helps Jonathan remove Chelsie’s shoes before carrying her into another room and letting her play with a small ceramic dog. Gaylene films the curtains, an illustration based on a family portrait displayed above a doorway, and the television.
In front of the camera now, Gaylene dresses Chelsie, sat in the dining room with many others. A woman named Josie [relationship to Gaylene unknown] smiles at Chelsie, talks about watching children grow into adults. Gaylene puts a fur-lined leather hat onto Chelsie’s head. Ed shows a map to Josie, pointing out places of interest. Chelsie stares into the camera.
Night has fallen. Chelsie is given attention and fed by two young girls [relationship unknown]. A blonde woman [relationship unknown] picks Chelsie up as Tui cooks in the background, everybody plays with Chelsie. Exterior shot of electrical tower outside, clothesline and the house at dusk. Through the window, Tui puts away cups.
Ed is outside, carrying Chelsie into the garage to show her his home-brewed beer.
Tui talks to Chelsie crawling in the corridor as Gaylene films herself in the mirror. Tui and Chelsie wave to the mirror and Tui demonstrates how the knick-knacks on the mantlepiece work. Paintings, windows, plates, and photos are shown. Chelsie plays with a bobblehead of her granddad and a ceramic scotty dog.
A woman [relationship unknown] speaks about cooking, a band of fabric is placed on Chelsie’s head like a crown, everyone in the kitchen discusses how long they’ve spent in McVay Street and the quirks of their neighbours. Ed and Chelsie play together.
Images of the house’s interior and exterior. A ‘for sale’ sign stands outside. Gaylene calls out goodbye to guests as they leave. Gaylene speaks with the older man from the beginning about braised rabbit and his visit to Roxburgh Street, Wellington. Tui collects the mail and picks through the garden, showing Gaylene her Kronenbourg rose and explaining its significance. Tui walks into the house, presenting her plants and pots to the camera before walking down the corridor and out of frame.