Although new homes are being built and infrastructure is being updated in the area, Roskill South is a strong community, with many families having created deep roots here for many decades. This is the case of the Macdonald family.

Gordon Alexander Macdonald, along with his wife Rona Valencia and their children, were one of the first families to move into Freeland Ave in the 1950s. Prior to this, the family was living in the transit camp at Western Springs. They lived in their Freeland Ave home for 45 years.

Gordon was a handy man - a jack of all trades - and his home was always special to him. Rona, his wife, hoped she would “live out her days in Freeland Ave and never move,” says their daughter, Cheryl Richards.

However, due to housing development in the area, the land was subdivided to enable more much-needed homes to be built in Roskill, and Rona’s family made the difficult decision to move their mother to a home closer to family members. 

To recognise and preserve the strong link of the Macdonald family to the area and honour their contributions to the community, a new lane has been named after the late Gordon Alexander Macdonald.

On April 20, a celebration was held to mark the street-sign unveiling of Gordon Alexander Lane in Roskill South. It was a special occasion, celebrating the whānau and the history behind the new street name.

Gordon’s children hope that having a street named after him will help honour their father’s memory and celebrate the wonderful memories made growing up in Roskill. It is also a beautiful way for the next generation to come to know their family history.

“I’m sure this would have been something Rona and Gordon would approve of,” says Cheryl.

Cheryl and two of her siblings, Linda Cassidy and Mike Macdonald, attended the celebration, along with some of their nieces, nephews, cousins and partners.

It was a beautiful celebration, and we’re glad we were able to recognise some of the whānau history that makes Roskill such a special place to live.