H0331 Sarah Jane McCarthy

Interviewer: Rebecca Amundsen

Abstracter: April Milligan

Interview: 23 February 2018

TRACK One

00:28 SARAH JANE McCarthy born 1976.

01.11 Born in NELSON. Moved there for her Dad’s work as a car Salesman. Mother had given up work in the office at the SOUTHLAND TIMES. Year later moved back to SOUTHLAND - Mum missed her family. Dad’s family on the WEST COAST - brother ROBIN and sister EUNICE.

02.27 Moved back to INVERCARGILL the first home EXMOUTH ST. Dad bought into REGENT CAR COURT with a Motor Bike Shop next door - partner MR MCDOUGALL. Much of early life defined by Dad’s work. Recalls earning first pay check helping him encouraging a huge work ethic. Dad from a large family who were poor, living on the WEST COAST and this defined his life and achievements. Describes traditional roles at home but did not see this as being her way. Brought up to work like her dad, resisting cooking lessons saying, “no, my husband will do all the cooking”.

06.15 By age 10 decided she would be more than a housewife. Wore a badge at ROSEDALE INTERMEDIATE saying, “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle”. Disappointed when she had a boyfriend thinking she would just be happy alone. Describes ‘Lightbulb’, moments in later life and changes on becoming a parent.

11.23 Admire other women, MADONNA, ENID BLYTON, rather than NZ women. Felt as if didn’t fit in. Ambitions to be a tap-dancing Nurse, Paleontologist, a writer, and then a reporter as it seemed more doable.

TRACK 2

00.16 Describes issues at school and a lack of a clear career path. Writing seemed a commitment too hard to achieve. Told she had “potential”. Waitressed in QUEENSTOWN, CHRISTCHURCH and lived in DUNEDIN. Describes the impact on her of the ‘Twin Towers’ in 2001. Visiting JAPAN following a six week, buying trip for cars with Father stayed on alone. Began sending emails (early days of this form of communication) and from encouraging responses and Zero fees scheme in INVERCARGILL led to studying the Journalism Course at 25 years old, enjoying the link with words and people. “My real life started”.

04.13 Journalism career started. Found Shorthand hard to master - thought she would fail the course. Undertook work experience on the Sub Desk at THE SOUTHLAND TIMES. Offered a job Sub Editing (also passing her shorthand course). The first time had followed through with work to pass a course. Undertook Sub Editing at night restricting social Life.

05.27 Met future Husband at THE SOUTHLAND TIMES. Also continued a Column ‘Uptown Girl’. You did what you were asked rather than questioning the motivation and trying to affect change. Wrote uncensored and Boss said her writing was relatable. EDITOR, FRED TULLOCH said, “Older Ladies saw what SARAH wrote as how their lives could have been if they were young now”. Describes social activities associated with work and drinking culture.

08.30 Controversial when at SIT writing a column in the Journalism students weekly news page called “FEAR & LOATHING in INVERVEGAS”. Wrote about a hate of being in a café with bad babies running around doing crazy things. (earned money as a student working in ZOOKEEPERS at this time) Feedback was intense from Parents. Today has her own screaming 18-month-old child at ZOOKEEPERS. Anti Mother thing to say but got a lot of attention.

10.02 Didn’t live a very healthy lifestyle - a lot of alcohol consumption but felt it was important to be open about it. “There was a great pushback against the Laddette culture. Were told as women that we wanted to be one of the boys but don’t drink too much “. DO this but don’t wear that but always wanted to tell the truth.

11.19 When in JAPAN friend wanted to know what she was doing but cultural differences made it hard to explain what a Columnist did. A query was made why she didn’t go out with a boyfriend instead of her girlfriends. This led to think about writing about dating which was not a big thing 15 years ago (phone number, dinner, dates) but more casual pub hookups leading to marriage. Led to a decision to go on a date and write about it. (She used her Drivers Licence as pub Identification) PHIL a fellow reporter commented on a speeding ticket she got as everyone at work could listen to the Police scanner.

TRACK 3

00.10 Describes date with Phil, getting engaged and then married. The wedding was basically the staff from THE TIMES.

04.18 Describes and reflects on her thoughts and ideas of being a feminist.

06.00 Describes her thoughts on marriage, taking her husband’s surname and using Mrs.

10.26 Talks of children being brought up ‘Woke’. Outside influences (Kindy) reinforce ideas of traditional gender thinking. Children will find their own views as they grow.

14.01 Interviewer asks: “125 years since Women got the vote and things have changed for Women in some ways. How can they keep moving forward?” Says:” in JAPAN Women get groped on the subway. Men rely on Women being quiet and reserved in order to harass them. Encourages women to grab the hand, hold it in the air and ask, “Whose hand is this”? Thinks this is what we need to do.

TRACK 4

00.01 Reflects: “The way forward is for Women to stick together and have conversations about what we expect from men and ourselves in future”. Having awkward conversations and making lots of mistakes and defending people until there is a balance.

01.14 Recalls an incident at an INVERCARGILL involving inappropriate action from a man and the responses of those around. Reflects that having someone listen with support felt right. Comments like “he’ll be alight, don’t worry about it, he doesn’t mean it, he’s harmless, he won’t do anything”, is not the point. Reinforces the idea that she doesn’t have to put up with anything she doesn’t want.