---

 

               Sharon Interviews Judy Bailey- TVNZ 's Former News Presenter           

                          

1.     Hw((Sharon)o 1.  How did you juggle motherhood with your television career in the early days?
        Judy Bailey   With great deal of difficulty.  I hung out there for the kids-primarily to 
              be with children but TVNZ was very accommodating.
              TVNZ was one of the first places to have Crèche in New Zealand.
              It is important  to have passion with work places!

              2. Who was your role model in your teens?
               My parents- they both taught me a lot regarding values, which I passed on my children  

               3.  Who is your current role model now?  
               I don't have one- I'm too busy but I admire a lot of people!      

             4. I understand you a Trustee of Child Development Foundation, and Patron of
                 North Shore Hospice-what other charitable organisation are you involved in? 
                I'm Patron of Friends of the Women's Refuge,
               Ambassador of Liggins Institute for   Get Organised Auckland,
               and Ambassador for  Jigsaw (Umbrella of Child Abuse)

         5. How do you see yourself when people refer you as “Mother Of the Nation?
             I don't'- I don't know where the name came from! 

        6.What was your highlight of your television career?
           I loved the moments when the  nation came to the telly........that 'feel good moments'
           like Telethon, the America's Cup, Maori television. Anzac also have me a huge buzz!

        7.What was your most embarrassing moment on television?
          The first Gulf War- halfway through into the lead story, I realised it was yesterday's news!      

                8. According to CinnaBurst Poll, Judy Bailey was the most kissable woman ,next to
                   super model Rachel Hunter, how did you feel when the media reported that you
                   along with Hunter  were branded ‘the most stunning Kiwi gals?
                     Mad! Mad ! Mad! How lovely!

            9.Why did you suggest that One News cover the story of your leaked salary?
               Slow news day- it was the biggest story. I knew TV3 was covering it. TVNZ offered for
               me to stand aside but I chose to do it myself-it was credible.

           10. You have successfully launched your book, My Own Words,what is next on agenda?
                  I'm so focused on the book-also the media.
                  But there are other things including Maori Channel, Documentary Channel, launched on SKY TV
                  I am also training as a Brainwave presenter.   

           11. Any tips for upcoming newsreaders?
                 If nervousness comes over your storyline.......
                 (Forget about being a newsreader).

---

The Winner of Dancing With The Stars, Norm Hewitt is interviewed by Sharon
 

Sharon
1. From a Rugby-player to Dancing With Stars - how would you describe some of the major changes in your life and how the public has perceived you? 
Norm Hewitt
I never really thought that I would do anything so radical like dancing and especially on National TV. I think it's been a journey of changes since retiring from professional rugby and always wanting to improve personally and professionally so the major change in my life to date has been to except change and not be afraid to learn. I wouldn't know how the public perceive me. 
 

Shane Cortese-actor, dancer ,singer, presenter....
New Zealand's hottest hunk interviewed by Sharon

This interview was featured in Metropol Magazine.

Shane Cortese

Sharon Lingham:1.oWhat got you started and sparked your interest in the show business? 

Shane Cortese
I was seeing a girl in Palmerston North who was involved in the local Dramatic Society.
they were doing a show called "the Pyjama Game" and she seemed to be having
a great time and was always at rehearsals and parties. the only way I could get to see her was to join up.
 I got a job backstage and immediately got the bug.


2. Have there been any great highlights of your career before your role in NZ's Drama Shortland Street?

My very first paycheck 149.00 pounds. I couldn't believe I was getting paid for having
 all this fun, and when I made my West End debut. I had been working for a travel agency
in NZ before I left for England and used to see tickets to the West End Shows.
The day I walked through the Stage Door of one to open in a show was magical (My All Black Jumper!!)


3. Who would you consider to be your role-models, both locally and internationally? 

Locally, its anyone who has represented our country at the highest level, I know the sacrifice and dedication to the end goal that these people go to and it humbles me. as far as the Entertainment industry goes we don't proffer enough credit to our success stories, I mean Martin Henderson, Joel Tobeck, Sam Neil, Greg Johnson, Evermore, Hayley Westenera, these are people who believe in their talent and go off and do something about it.

Internationally I like Hugh Jackman who can do it all and our 2 Directors
Peter Jackson and Andrew Adamson who have gone off learnt there trade yet
bought it back to  NZ as leaders in there profession


4. What was your initial response to being asked to participate on Dancing with Stars? 

Are you serious, why would the NZ public be at all interested in me ballroom
 dancing on a Sunday night. They hate me I've just killed 2 people on the tele.

 5. How would your describe the way the public has viewed your since being on Dancing With Stars, compared to your former 'sinister' role on Shortland Street? 

Of course DWTS opened the door to a completely new Demographic for me,
There were people who watched DWTS who had never seen Shorty Street so
 it lifted my profile. people call me Shane now instead of " hey you evil B##**(*D
 

               6. Are there any tips / thoughts you would like to give anyone considering the show business? 

Yeah, make sure you are a strong person, there are inevitable knock backs and its
 the only job where you can legitimately be turned down for a job for the way you l
look, or your sex. On the positive note, You will meet people who will undoubtedly
become friends for life. Its also show business so if you are shy and withdrawn think
strongly about it, and most importantly listen and watch the people who have been
 in it for a long time, they haven't been it for a long time for nothing!!
 

        7.The crowd adored you at the closing of Special Olympic Games, what inspired to start your fifties' band ? 

I love real music played by real instruments. I'm not really into processed sounds or DJ's ,
I just don't get it. My family are huge lovers of the 50's we often get together for dinners
and that music comes on late at night and everyone leaves happy.

Its happy music and it shaped a lot of music for the future. then again if you just play
 50's music it can be a little naff you have to put on a show that's when it becomes infectious.
 

         8.Acting,singing,dancing,musicals.....you've already done these....what would your ultimate dream be?  

         To be starring in a, film somewhere with my family ,wife and 2 kids on set with me

---

Interview with New  Zealand's National Treasure,
Singer/Songwriter Dave Dobbyn

Sharon:   What keeps you going on tours?

Dave Dobbyn: The joy of traveling and staying in touch with an audience who like the music we make. It's always a grand adventure.


 Sharon:  Have you ever thought of re-making any of your songs?

Dave Dobbyn: I'm thinking of it more now as I'm collaborating with other bands and orchestras. I think you remake a song every time you play it live.
I like working with arrangers because you focus on performance and delivery and the arrangements take care of the players who take care of me.
It's an amazing dynamic in theatres. It broadens the songs and you can strip things down and draw an audience in and intimate, and then wail and howl and thrash as well.
It's quieter than a band but just as powerful. I'd like to record & rearrange some songs for theatre shows - I know it'll be fun and would make a great CD.    


Sharon:   How do you juggle family life with your profession?
Dave Dobbyn: Great. We've got a good balance. Anneliesje and I have learned to make it work.
My daughter Grace and son Elias are the focus of our lives and we're all into music.
It does get difficult when I'm away on tour but the hellos get bigger and it adds to our relationship rather than hinder it.


 Sharon:   When you sang at late David Lange's service, how did you feel-
               was it like another performance or were you emotional?
 Dave Dobyn:   I'm always emotional and it was a great honour to pay tribute to a great New Zealander. I think Mr Lange helped a lot of us to really understand what it meant to be a New Zealander and where we stood with a world view to the future in peace. It's so important that we export that spirit of peace around the world. It is uniquely to our credit that we stand as a firmly independent voice of pacific peace and multiculture. Mr. Lange's Oxford speech is inspiring in its ramifications for future anti-nuclear thinking. It's up to us to deliver peaceful communities on a street level to stand for peace as an example to the world that it can be done. That is our challenge as a multicultural society right now.
R.I.P. Mr. Lange.


              Sharon:    Where and how do you get lyrics to your songs?
             Dave Dobbyn:   I love words and the power of them. Sometimes it can be like whitebait fishing in a scarce season.
             Sometimes you have to wait. I have learnt to be patient and let them unfold further down the track of writing a song. I'm always sitting on a lot of music but lyrics need to be grown and trimmed and crafted.They have to look good on a page for me.
They have to shine on their own before I can allow them to grace the music.You learn to think lyrically and roll them around in your head as images in rhythm. Then they just arrive one day and the song is complete. Very satisfying work.


     Sharon:  The songs that you have written and sung, mean so much to people that they
                  play it at weddings and even at funerals. "Loyal" , for example, was chosen by
                  Team NZ to win back America's Cup Yachting trophy. Any comments?
    Dave Dobbyn:   I know what it is that makes people inhabit a song and it's people that make songs anthems
so when they take them to heart it's an honour for me and recognition that the songs are well made.
Music in sport can be an unwieldy alliance because you can always lose the competition. I gamble that the songs
outlast the competition. I think it's darn healthy having a song to rouse support for a team.
It's in our nature to memorialise hope and victory - it gives us our history and keeps us aiming high.


   Sharon:    What is your best advice for our budding singers?
   Dave Dobbyn:   Listen first.
   Sing a lot always. We, none of us sing enough. There's so much to sing about.
   I'm convinced performing connects you to people and your purpose like nothing else.
   There is great currency in expressing peoples' concerns in the heart department.
   I understand what the blues really are and it captivates me to sing it out.
   Highly therapeutic stuff is singing. Especially in company.


  Sharon:    What was your most magical moment at  a performance?
  Dave Dobbyn:   Well they do surprise you. It was when I closed my eyes one night on my last tour mid set in a small town hall
  I really felt like it was the best place to be in the world - playing to my beloved countrymen and woman and children.
  Three and sometimes four generations of New Zealanders in one place together is something to see.
  I so love my job.

---

      Interview With Legendary Nana Mouskouri

     
 Legendary Nana Mouskouri (left), about to leave Christchurch

        Sharon: Would you come back to New Zealand (and Christchurch) for a holiday?

       Nana Mouskouri:  Oh, I love it here and yes I would love to come back -this is such a
       beautiful place ! And people are so friendly.
 
       Sharon: What is your message to  your fans all over the world?

       Nana Mouskouri:  Learn to believe in other people, learn to show love.
      
       Sharon: Nana, it was such a moving farewell for you last night at the Town Hall - people will really miss you.
       What advise have you got for our upcoming singers?                    

        Nana Mouskouri: Life is like a journey, you would have to ride it out. Try to start from the beginning
        with passion, believe in what you do, just be yourself ! Don't expect too much. A lot of them expect
        too much too soon. With love, understanding and with the passion within them, they will succeed.
        When you get famous, remember people do matter. Also learn from others! Believe in yourself !      

---

Interview With TV Tigress Genevieve Westcott  

Sharon: Genevieve, what was your most satisfying or outstanding project for television?

Genevieve: So many, many stories over the years and so little time to recount them all! Each and every story is unique and important. It’s like asking a mother to choose her favorite child. You would need the wisdom of Solomon!

However, as a result of an investigation I conducted as a correspondent for TV3’s “20/20” programme, a drunken Invercargill businessman was successfully prosecuted and jailed for the tragic deaths of 3 beautiful young Invercargill women whom police initially wrongly believed were the cause of the horrific car crash that killed them. The crash investigation had been badly botched. I was later told police in NZ radically changed the way they now investigate car crashes as a direct result of what we uncovered. For me, it was long-delayed justice for those three young women and their courageous families who battled tirelessly to clear their daughters’ names.

Sharon: How long did your longest project take?

 Genevieve:I’ve worked on many major stories for more than a year.

Sharon: What motivated you to start your Communications business?

 Genevieve: While I adored my life as a roving TV correspondent, I was fascinated by the world of business and commerce. What better way to learn more than by jumping in and doing?

 


Sharon: What was that you absolutely hated during preparation of those projects for TV documentaries?

Genevieve: Absolutely nothing! The world of television journalism is intriguing and all-consuming. To do an outstanding job, you need to put in a Herculean effort on all aspects of your story. So if you don’t love it, you’re in the wrong industry.

Sharon: What is that one vital thing that you would like every business person  to know ?

Genevieve: “Dare to be a human being and NOT a human doing.”