FRANA GRACE CARDNO

Interviewer: Cathy Macfie

Abstracter: Cathy Macfie

First Interview: 27th September 2014

DISC 1

TRACK 1:

00.00 Recording information

01.40 Father [Anton Srhoy] born on the island of Havar off the coast of Croatia (formerly Yugoslavia) near Split. Politically unsettled time; he was sent to NZ before conscription at age 16 years. Explains. References: FAMILY BACKGROUND, YUGOSLAVIA

02.30 Followed his father to Northland gumfields. Original plan to buy land unsuccessful. Decision to go to West Coast of South Island for gold mining. Journey undertaken on bicycle. Tall, good looking youths caused quite a stir [EXPRESSION]. Explains. References: EMPLOYMENT; DITCH DIGGING Recreation activities included local rugby and fishing (using dynamite). Explain. Reference: LEISURE ACTIVITIES; CULTURE

TRACK 2:

00.10 Married [Murray Cardno] 26 January 1963 at Ashburton Presbyterian Church by his father, a minister. Traditional wedding with over 100 guests. Explains. Reference: FAMILY BACKGROUND, RELIGION

01.00 Loving relationship between Murray’s family and Frana. Explains. Murray’s mother an archetypical minister’s wife. Explains. Reference: FAMILY BACKGROUND

01.55 Wedding dance brought together an unlikely mix of cultures and backgrounds. Explains. Reference: ACKERS BAND; WEST COAST; DALMATIONS Traditional roast for wedding banquest. Explains.

04.28 Bride and groom departed in the traditional way before midnight. Explains. Cash wedding gifts enabled them to have a three week honeymoon touring North Island. Sampled luxury until the money ran out. Explains.

06.00 After the honeymoon returned to Te Anau. A visit during their engagement showed limited accommodations options in a small community. Explains. Their few shares in the Northern Building Society were sufficient to buy a section in Moana Crescent. Explains. Reference: TE ANAU; LANDS & SURVEY

Before the wedding, Frana dressed to-the-nines [EXPRESSION] and persuaded the Northern Building Society manager to lend them money for a house. Proud of achievement. Explains.

They put a small, un-lined prefab house on the section and made do with bare essentials. Improvised, using blankets for curtains. Explains. Finished the house as they could afford, over time. Reference: HOUSING; FRUGALITY

09.42 Area relatively undeveloped; only one neighbour. Describes. Garden created with tractor and plough. Explains. Recalls the importance of podding peas in her family’s Christmas preparations. The raiding of her first pea crop by local boys left her “heart-broken”. Explains. Reference: TE ANAU; MOANA CRESCENT; GARDENING; CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

11.38 Frana left in men’s town [EXPRESSION] while Murray built huts in bush. Explains. Wined and dined the Head Ranger then persuaded him to let her join bush gang as cook. Men’s horrified reaction to her inclusion. Explains. Ignorance of cooking over open fire; desperate for mother’s advice. Explains. Describes range of food prepared. Reference: EMPLOYMENT; FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK, LAKE MCKERROW HUT; MARTINS BAY; CAMP FIRE COOKING; FOOD

TRACK 3:

00.03 Badly bitten by mosquitoes. Explains. Taken in by Jo Driscoll and stayed in his hut near Jamestown. Stories about this rich character. Explains. Reference: JO DRISCOLL; PIONEERS OF MARTINS BAY; JAMESTOWN

02.13 This four week experience was “where I fell in love with Fiordland”. Expressed feelings in a three-page letter to her mother. The root of her future passion and advocacy for groups like ‘Save Fiordland’ Explains. Reference: FIORDLAND; ADVOCACY; ACTIVISIM

04.00 First fishing experience. Explains. Dependence on fish for food during prolonged bad weather. Reference: COOKING; FIORDLAND; WEATHER

06.35 Men now accepting of Frana’s inclusion as cook. Explains. Joined construction team for track on [west] side of Homer Tunnel. Stayed in alpine hut. Explains. Describes first journey through the tunnel, carrying lunch in truck with faulty gears and lights. “Terrified.” Met bus on return journey. Explains. Reference: UPPER HOLLYFORD VALLEY; HOMER TUNNEL; TRACK CONSTRUCTION

DISC 2

TRACK 1:

00.03 Murray’s inventiveness to cart concrete up mountain-side and Frana’s role as assistant. Repartee with tourists. Explains. Reference: MURRAY CARDNO

01.30 Describes life and environment in Upper Hollyford Valley. She “fell completely in love with the Hollyford Valley”. Mentions Murray Gunn. Reference: HUNTING

02.10 Anecdote about discovering deer head/antlers shot by Murray during that time, when clearing house after his death.

03.10 Returned to Te Anau and became pregnant with Andrew. Fortnightly visit from Lumsden Doctors Olds and Wilson. Describes their contrasting characters. Clinic in room off Radsford Grocery Store – a very public waiting room. Explains. Mentions teasing by Sandy Brown. Reference: MEDICAL SERVICES; TE ANAU

05.35 Te Anau in early stages of development. Dairy farmer (Keast) ladled milk from churn to householder’s billies; occasionally watered down. Unhygienic. Explains. Post Office (by little Lake Te Anau) received mail three times a week – not a child-friendly place. Explains. Mentions party lines. Reference: TE ANAU; SERVICES

07.30 Andrew born in Lumsden. Describes maternity care and routine. Murray flouted rules and stayed. “Petrified” by new experience of motherhood. Remembers wise advice from Dr. Wilson. Explains. Reference: LUMSDEN; MATERNITY SERVICES; POST NATAL DEPRESSION

10.57 Frana once again ‘stuck’ in Te Anau while Murray was away having exciting adventures. Mentions Dusky Sound. Then realised it was up to her to do something about it. Explains.

11.37 Decided to start a private kindergarten and enlisted the help of an experienced Christchurch friend. Explains. Got permission to use Presbyterian Church’s Sunday School rooms and posted fliers around Te Anau. Initial scepticism from local community. Explains. Influx of Americans familiar with pre-school education attracted enrolments plus waiting list. Explains. Charge £2 per child bought equipment. Begged, borrowed and stole [EXPRESSION] plus husband/volunteer labour to complete on time. Explains. Andrew and then Paul attended. The initiative fulfilled Frana’s needs at the time. Reference: TE ANAU; PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION; MANAPOURI POWER SCHEME; CO-OPERATIVE VENTURE

TRACK 2:

00.05 Manapouri Power Scheme generated the Save Manapouri Campaign. Local doctor John Moore saw disastrous implications for Lake Te Anau and initiated Save Te Anau. Explains. Mentions John Donaldson as another group initiator. Limited publicity or understanding until ‘Bomb the Dam’ hit national headlines. Explains. Reference: COMALCO; SAVEMANAPOURI AND SAVE TE ANAU CAMPAIGNS; ACTIVITISM

01.45 “…this is where I learned about government somehow … they didn’t tell you quite the truth.” Mentions Murray’s involvement. Signage (still under her house) created for demonstrations whenever politicians or Comalco came to town. Explains.

03.45 Politicians arranged meeting with Save Te Anau. Humorous story of politician talking to Murray (who had had yearly hair cut) about keeping the long haired larrikins [EXPRESSION] happy.

05.00 Describes implications of Comalco proposal for township. Group’s detailed research got most of community on-site. Comalco not listening. Explains. Reference: LAKE TE ANAU

06.40 Frana gained political insight. Labour Party visited (Norman Kirk) and listened to group. Explains. History showed they changed the election outcome. Bussed to Invercargill to join Save Manapouri demonstrations. Reference: PARTY POLITICS

08.09 Kirk honoured election promises. Humour in Te Anau voting. Explains. Guardians of Lake Te Anau an important outcome. Explains. Mentions Les Hutchins and Alan Mark. Reference: LEGISLATION; ELECTRICITY GENERATION; POWER CONSUMPTION

10.30 Stephen (third son) born. Kindergarten grown to capacity. Explains. Frana joined bridge club. Recounts humour of first outing. Enjoyed social and mental stimulus. Explains. Reference: RECREATION AL ACTIVITY/BRIDGE

13.05 At bridge chatted to two Invercargill welfare officers about her family of boys. They encouraged her to take on a ‘badly treated girl’ who was at risk. Mentions Karitane. Recounts humorous story of persuading Murray to take on the child at 2 a.m. Early next morning (Sunday) family travelled to Invercargill to see her. Explains. Reference: CHILD WELFARE

TRACK 3:

00.07 Arrival at children’s home was unexpected and Matron initially hostile. Explains. Eventually allowed to take child home but had to borrow essential needs. (Tells story of Stephen offering to share his ‘nong-nong’ or comfort blanket.) Reference: CHILD WELFARE

01.40 “Shock set in.” Joanne’s eyes were ‘dead’. Describes injuries and trauma suffered. Community rallied behind with practical help. Joanne’s first smiles were for pet dog and middle son. Cried silently. Explains. Reference: CHILD ABUSE

04.55 Frana became involved with welfare system. By 2.5 years, Joanne’s mental development was above normal and the boys loved her to bits [EXPRESSION]. Fought Welfare wish that she be returned to natural parents. Researched English law focus on ‘rights of the child’ vis-à-vis New Zealand law emphasis on ‘rights of the parent’. Explains. Mentions Sir Brian Talboys. Reference: FAMILY LAW; CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

07.15 When Joanne started school she was unable to take ‘Cardno’ name. Explains. Details arguments to adopt. Finally took parents to court ‘to take away their rights’. Newly qualified lawyer (now Judge) John Stratell took case. Parents did not show at first hearing and judge dismissed case. Second hearing, parents still no show but judge continued. Explains details of court hearing and judge’s decision to take away parents’ rights “because they abandoned her.” A costly exercise for Murray and Frana. Reference: FAMILY LAW; CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

11.40 Named adopted daughter Joanne Mara Cardno. Mentions John Stratell’s elation. Notes that New Zealand law has since changed in favour of child’s rights. Reference: FAMILY LAW

13.30 Kindergarten now outgrown Presbyterian Church hall. Te Anau Community Board had built new hall. Initially refused but finally allowed Kindergarten use with strict conditions. Explains. Increased numbers of young mothers moving to Te Anau – 80 pupils registered plus waiting list. Reference: TE ANAU COMMUNITY BOARD; COMMUNITY HALL

TRACK 4:

00.04 Describes Kindergarten as a co-operative where everyone took turns. “Original play centre” concept. Decided it should become a government kindergarten. Explains challenges before success.

01.20 Frana’s application for head teacher’s job declined. Explains. Fought and reversed the decision; held the position for more than 15 years. Reference: EMPLOYMENT

02.35 Broke new ground with emphasis on outdoor play, creativity and environmental activities. Mentions Claire [Shaw] current head teacher. Found ways to get around restrictive regulations. Explains. Reference: KINDERGARTENS

Second Interview: 28th September 2014

DISC 3

TRACK 1:

00’00” Interview continues on Sunday 28 September 2014 and includes a repeated segment from yesterday’s interview that did not record.

TRACK 2: 00.08 Frana’s mother was Lilian Caroline Honey (maiden name). A 5th generation West Coaster with mixed Scottish/Irish ancestry. Brought up in Hokitika; eldest of 9 children. A “brilliant woman” without opportunity to realise her potential. Explains. Mentions Elsie Lockie and Alice McKenzie. Reference: EDUCATION; CONTRACEPTION

02.00 Met and married Anton Srhoy on West Coast. Lived in bush at Stafford (north of Hokitika). Harsh life. Explains. Mother’s kindness to tramps was once repaid. Explains. Reference: 1930s DEPRESSION

04.48 Death of 9 year old brother and father’s serious motorcycle accident combined with robbery and flood “devastated” her mother. Explains. Convinced Frana would be stillborn [born Hokitika 29.1.41]; baby cared for by teenage sister Mara. Explains. Reference: FAMILY BACKGROUND; MENTIAL DEPRESSION

06.00 A solitary childhood included bush wandering. Dressed in red for visibility. Explains. Describes Stafford “a quiet place” and mentions Bill Taylor, a local tramp and identity. Remembers community party at end of World War 2. Reference: WEST COAST COMMUNITY; STAFFORD

09.51 Family move to Lowcliffs (on coast between Ashburton and Timaru); employment opportunity in land drainage. Explains. Humorous reference to father’s character; also increasing violent temper after head injury. Explains. Mentions Studholme Estate. Reference: DITCH DIGGING

TRACK 3:

00.05 Describes parents/family trips to town. Delivered jars of rich cream to bank manager. Explains. Reference: SELF SUFFICIENCY; CLOTHES; LOLLIES

00.35 Mother went blind in her 40s but remained fiercely independent. Explains. Frana inherited her philosophy of self reliance. Reference: MATERNAL FAMILY BACKGROUND

02.25 Didn’t thrive at [Ashburton] High School. Explains. Liked the concept of early childhood education and applied successfully to Kindergarten College in Christchurch. Explains selection process. Describes schoolgirl embarrassment of father’s extravert character. Reference: PATERNAL FAMILY BACKGROUND

Boarded with the Dudmans, ex Indian Army couple. Enjoyed formality of their lifestyle. Explains. Kindergarten College was “like a school for young ladies”. Explains student backgrounds. Describes first experiences with young men; closely chaperoned. Explains. Reference: INDIAN COLONIALISM; SOCIAL BACKGROUND; ADOLESCENCE

09.15 Death of father after goring by pet bull. Explains. Blind mother’s struggle to keep house, farm and garden going. Mentions wine-making. Frana’s decision to return to Ashburton changed when she was offered head teacher position at South Brighton Kindergarten. Explains. Challenged by being “the youngest head teacher in New Zealand”. Explains criticisms. Reference: SELF SUFFICIENCY; KINDERGARTENS; EMPLOYMENT

12.40 Flatted with 5 girls. Made dresses for weekly dances. Explains . Met Murray who was visiting his parents in Worcester Street. Explains. Recounts story of how she, unsuccessfully, tried to put him off. Reference: FASHION; DANCING; TRANSPORT/CYCLING

TRACK 4:

00.01 Christchurch flat needed repairs. Frana kept the carpenter. Explains.

00.43 Stories associated with their two year courtship. Gift of red balaclava became a family heirloom. Explains. Engagement party in local wool shed. Married 26 October 1963 Reference: COURTSHIP

TRACK 5:

00.05 Mother stayed on farm after wedding but struggled to cope. Explains. Reluctantly moved to ownership flat [built by Murray] in Ashburton. Missed garden but consoled by neighbour’s walnut tree. Explains. Bought guide dog in 1970s which enabled her to visit Te Anau. Humorous story of dog stealing children’s ice creams. Explains. Mother won award for reading most Talking Books of any blind person in New Zealand. Explains. Stayed in flat until 1980s but became increasingly forgetful. Mentions Elsie Locke. Reference: BLINDNESS; INDEPENDENCE; GUIDE DOGS

07.25 Her campaign for a Te Anau library led to Frana’s standing for Wallace County Community Board. Her election in 1978 sent shockwaves around male members. Explains. Tells amusing stories of early challenges and insight to how democracy works. Reference: LOCAL BODY POLITICS

13.10 Next election saw a new mix of board members. Explains. Frana became Chair and faced prejudice because of her youth and gender. Reference: DISCRIMINATION; TE ANAU

TRACK 6:

00.02 Research commanded respect for her chairmanship. Explains. Started campaign for library. Reference: FRIENDS OF TE ANAU LIBRARY

01.05 Frana persuaded Wallace County Community Board to support amalgamation with Southland County Council. Explains. Became a single council in 1989. Reference: SOUTHLAND COUNTY COUNCIL; LOCAL BODY POLITICS

02.18 Friends persuaded Frana to stand for new Southland District Council. Mentions Leslie Dawson. Last minute nomination for Te Anau Ward seat was successful. Explains. Describes opposition within a deeply divided council. Frana elected deputy mayor. Explains shock result. Reference: ELECTIONS

07.45 Frana continued to lobby for library and Council Office in Te Anau as a one-stop shop. EXPRESSION. Mentions Neil Farrell support and fund—raising. Spectacular increase in library membership after opening. Explains. Reference: TE ANAU LIBRARY

09.45 Mayor John Casey stood down after 3 years and Frana stood for mayoralty. Mentions Derek Angus and Bill McKee. Describes election campaign strategy and community support. Juggled family life, kindergarten job with evening visits to Southland communities and local pubs. Explains. Family support based on her mother’s philosophy “if you’ve got a dream you’ve got to follow it”. Explains. Includes humorous story of Murray and Frana’s relationship. Reference: ELECTIONS; FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

TRACK 7

00.40 Explains further the pressure election campaign placed on family life. Teenage boys learned to cook. Elected first woman mayor in 1992 and was “absolutely petrified”. Challenged by finding a way to bring a split council together. Reference: FAMILY BACKGROUND; SOUTHLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL

DISC 4

TRACK 1

00.13 Explains experience of being mayor in a male-dominated and largely hostile council. Wept in toilet. Explains. Describes dingy office and son Paul’s painting given to brighten the walls. Describes grim painting of Sir Erskine Bowmar staring at her from landing. Replaced with batik picture of hens. Explains the ensuing furore. Reference: PREJUDICE

04.30 Explains Council tradition of 3-4 course mid-day meal followed by meetings until 4 p.m. then drinks. Frana changed to salads and sandwiches. Outcry of bloody rabbit food. EXPRESSION. Negotiated compromise. Explains. Reference: SOUTHLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL

06.16 Explains the adversarial character of meetings and difficulty of chairing them. Mentions Jim Copeland as a “wonderful” deputy mayor. Took time to build trust. Explains. Utilised her delegational abilities. Explains. Tried to dress for her part and run professional meetings to counter male prejudices. Explains. Reference: CHAIRMANSHIP; SEXISM

09.30 Frana perceived to be Te Anau and tourism oriented. Faction determined to unseat her at next election. Explains. Instead, those councillors lost their seats and the new council was less divided. Reference: NATIONAL PARTY; LOCAL BODY POLITICS; ELECTIONS

11.30 Council travel and reading requirements plus family commitments a struggle. Explains. Frana became outspoken on issues like road funding and community ownership of power companies. Explains. Mentions lobbying Bill Birch. Reference: NATIONAL GOVERNMENT; SALE OF POWER COMPANIES

13.30 Change of government in 1999; power companies stayed in local ownership. Mentions Helen Clark’s visit during election campaign. Describes Topoclimate Study to identify alternative crops for cool climate soils. [Continues next track] Reference: 1999 ELECTION CAMPAIGN; TOPOCLIMATE STUDY

TRACK 2

00.00 Frana part of group running Cool Climate Crops Centre. Explains rationale. Helen Clark promised support during election and her government funded $1.8 million. Topoclimate today has a different emphasis. Explains. Reference: HELEN CLARK; 1999 LABOUR GOVERNMENT; TOPOCLIMATE STUDY

02.27 Second term as SDC Mayor easier. Explains. Invited to a community values international conference in Indianapolis. Explains fear of flying. Describes humorous character of companion major Basil Morrison. Conference provided useful examples of bottom-up community decision making EXPRESSION but extremely sexist. Explains. Reference: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT; SEXISM

07.05 Pre-Venture Southland, SDC was only council with economic development officers for communities. Explains. ‘Dream Team’ inspired by bottom-up community initiatives from Noosa, Australia. Explains. Southland communities suffering in downturn. Provides examples of brainstorming ideas in Western Southland. Reference: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT; SOUTHERN SCENIC ROUTE; HUMP RIDGE TRACK

11.00 Frana tasked with fundraising for community initiatives. Explains. Became involved with Helen Clark Labour government. Used appointment to Local Government New Zealand to leverage support for Southland. Explains. Reference: FUND-RAISING; LABOUR GOVERNMENT;

13.03 Sexist attitudes to women in Council exemplified at budget time. Explains. Reference: SEXISM; FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

TRACK 3

00.04 Discusses meaning of ‘a woman’s role’. Reference: SEXISM

00.58 Early 1990s (pre-dairy boom), farm families were struggling. Explains. Reference: SOUTHLAND ECONOMY

02.10 Frana identifies main achievements during her terms of office • ability to work with communities and effect positive change • fund-raising contributions to Topoclimate and Hump Ridge Track • Early 1990s presentation at United Nations conference in Thailand on gender inequality and women’s rights. Explains. Received award for Outstanding Contribution to Women and Community. Blown away [EXPRESSION]. View that she exemplifies that any woman can do it, if she puts her mind to it. Describes Thai woman mayor and role model. Reference: WOMEN ROLE MODELS; COMMUNITY CO-OPERATIVES • Te Anau main street development. Mentions Diane Ridley. Explains road relocation process and angry public reaction. Later community acceptance of outcomes. Explains. Reference: TE ANAU COMMUNITY BOARD; MAIN STREET DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE; TOWN CENTRE TREE PLANTING

14.00 Diane Ridley elected to Southland District Council; helpful to have women’s perspectives. Explains. Reference: GENDER INEQUALITY; LOCAL BODY POLITICS

TRACK 4

00.02 Election to local bodies still challenges rural women, both financially and socially. Reference: LOCAL BODY POLITICS; GENDER INEQUALITY

01.07 Explains support for Venture Southland and the benefits of a collaborative approach. Opinion was divided. Explains. Southland District Council led creative and arts initiatives that were later taken over by Venture Southland. Mentions Jeff Troon. Most original staff came from SDC. Explains. Reference: SOUTHLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL; VENTURE SOUTHLAND.

06.00 Explains belief that councils have to balance ‘roads, rates and rubbish’ against community needs that create quality of life. Reference: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

07.50 Milestones and visions during her time as mayor. • Vision for a Unitary Southland Council did not come to fruition but may yet be revisited. Reference: COMMUNITY BOARDS; REGIONAL COUNCILS • Southland’s Shared Services is one of most effective in New Zealand. There are other ways to skin a cat. [EXPRESSION] • Pride in the creation of Rakiura National Park and Fiordland WHA. Recounts with humour chairing an antagonistic meeting of Stewart Island locals about the national park proposal. Mentions Lou Sanson. Reference: ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY CHAIRMANSHIP • Honoured to represent New Zealand and present at WHA National Park Conferences in Japan and China. Explains.

DISC 5

TRACK 1

00.15 Reflects on the excitement of 21 years as mayor. Hard without Murray’s support but SDC gave her a purpose in the time immediately after his death. Explains.

01.50 2013 family encouraged her retirement; time to visit children and grandchildren. Describes their various challenges and successes around the world; motivated by ‘can-do’ attitude. Reference: FAMILY BACKGROUND; DYSLEXIA

11.46 2014 awarded high honour of Companion of NZ Order of Merit for Services to Local Government. Ceremony attended by all children. Reference: NEW ZEALAND HONOURS

The latest award was the Local Government NZ presentation of Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand Local Government presented in hospital, Sydney in 2014.

Frana’s achievements have been recognised across a broad spectrum. Reference: PUBLIC SERVICE; WOMEN’S AFFAIRS; COMMUNITY HEALTH; EDUCATION

13.35 Frana shares her future vision for Southland. • Our environment and plentiful water are Southland’s most precious assets. Ability to feed the world. Explains antipathy to LIGNITE MINING • Travels have convinced her that “what we’ve got is priceless”. Motivated her commitment to SAVE FIORDLAND. Explains.

TRACK 2

00.35 Frana’s future vision for Southland continues. • Supports strict monitoring of farming (especially dairy) to maintain water quality. • New Zealand land ownership needs to be safeguarded • Let there be passion to fight future environmental battles! • Extend the involvement of children through national role model initiatives like KIDS RESTORE THE KEPLER. • Support local trusts like FIORDLAND CONSERVATION TRUST that give local communities ownership of initiatives, eg predator control

06.15 Frana acknowledges pride in her journey and the people who have shared it. Reference: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT; ACTIVISM