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Abstract of Suzanne Lena PRENTICE, 2011

 Item — Box: 7
Identifier: H00680002

Abstract

Suzanne Lena Prentice

Interviewer: Rebecca Amundsen

Abstracter: Courtney Ellison

TRACK 1

00:00 Interview identification

01:10 Camping at FAIRFAX in farmers paddock, Christmas presents – described. George St Kindergarten INVERCARGILL, dress ups – explained.

02:48 Mother washing during camping – explained.

03:15 Holidays with Uncle and Aunt in NELSON. KINGSTON, friends with the postmaster. LAKE WAKATIPU – mentioned. Kingston Flyer – mentioned.

04:10 Nurses uniform made of old sheet. Parents built house in EXMOUTH STREET.

05:20 Musical career, school choirs – explained. Neil Diamond – mentioned. Guitar, piano then singing.

06:45 Father tone deaf, brothers weren’t musical, mother sang in England during war. Grandmother was Welsh and from musical family.

07:20 AMP Show at old fairgrounds (aren’t there anymore), talent quest, Tom Dooley. 2nd place, won a watch. TVNZ, Studio One, Youth Faces, The Entertainers – mentioned. New Faces – first appearance on TV, sang ‘Funny Face’, aged 13.

08:50 Avalon Studios in WELLINGTON – mentioned. Performance – Described.

09:45 Signed first recording contract at aged 13 – Explained. Contract with Music World in CHRISTCHURCH. Oxley Pram Shop, Christchurch earthquake – Mentioned.

11:40 First album went Gold. Teachers and children’s reactions – Explained.

12:48 Engaged at 19. From 13 – 19 years of age, mother took her touring – Described.

14:30 Treated music as a business – Explained. International travel – Mentioned.

TRACK 2

00:00 Music industry – discussed.

00:50 Song ‘Funny Face’, American, Donna Fargo – described. First Country Music Award in AUSTRALIA, aged approx.14. Travel – described.

02:35 Don’t write songs – explained. Writing shows using existing songs.

03:30 Working in Music Industry in Invercargill, relaxed lifestyle – Described. Susanne Dalton at home, Susanne Prentice when out working – Described.

05:30 Southlanders, humble, strong, determined – Described. Arts in Southland starting to progress more, and arts community compared with sports in Southland – Explained.

09:15 Work is all outside of Invercargill, keeping lives separate – Described. Worked hard to stay in the region, hasn’t hindered career, careful about choosing what to do – Described.

11:00 Working in CANADA, Royal Variety Show in AUCKLAND – highlights of career. David Macfarlane, John Gatsby (sp?) – Mentioned.

12:30 OBE and what this means for the family – Mentioned.

13:15 Experience of ‘Tall Poppy’ syndrome – Explained.

14:30 Told would have to shift to AUCKLAND or MELBOURNE but didn’t want this – Explained.

TRACK 3

00:18 Lived in CANADA and [UNITED] STATES, but home has always been here - Explained.

00:45 Family have stayed in INVERCARGILL too – Explained.

01:35 Southland people’s generosity, down to earth, common sense – Explained.

02:20 ANDERSON’S PARK ‘jewel’- described. Queens Park, Museum – Mentioned.

02:50 SPCA, Museum rebuild, charitable events – Explained. Mother was a Lifeline Counsellor. Worked with World Vision for 20 years – Described.

05:12 Elected onto Invercargill Licensing Trust (ILT) in approx. 2004. On licensing trust board for 6 years, the last 3 years as the deputy president. Contributing up to $10million dollars back into community each year.

06:30 Stood down from Trust when stood for Mayor [of Invercargill].

07:20 Arts community in Invercargill – described.

08:15 Funding projects with Licensing Trust – explained.

11:30 ILT and ILT Foundation, differences and ownership – described.

13:30 Other Licensing Trusts around New Zealand – explained.

TRACK 4

00:00 Concluding remarks and thanks.

Dates

  • 2011

Conditions Governing Access

For access please contact the Southland Oral History Project Coordinator at sohp@ilibrary.co.nz.

Conditions Governing Use

The contents of Southland Oral History Project collections are subject to the conditions of the Copyright Act 1994. Please note that in accordance with agreements held with interviewees additional conditions regarding the reproduction [copying] and use of items in the Southland Oral History Project collections may apply. Please contact the Southland Oral History Project Coordinator for further information at sohp@ilibrary.co.nz.

Extent

From the Record Group: 1 folder(s)

Language of Materials

From the Record Group: English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

OHC10

Creator

Repository Details

Part of the Southland Oral History Project Repository