Little did I know that the woman I was meeting and interviewing last Sunday as part of my assignment would be making explosive national headlines barely 36 hours later.
Only two days before the media blowout about Bevan Chuang’s relations with Auckland Mayor Len Brown, I had met her at a busy cafe in Balmoral. We met of course for reasons unrelated to the present media scandal. I had been in contact with her for about a week prior to when we met, as I had approached her for an interview regarding the New Lynn night market – as part of a school assignment.
As she was the market co-ordinator of the night market, she made a great candidate for my assignment. We exchanged a few emails, and she was more than happy to meet and be interviewed.
The day finally came when I was able to sit down with her and discuss the questions I had prepared. I unfortunately was very ill, but still fought my way to the meeting – and I was glad I did. It was hard to cover up my illness, though I tried my best. Expecting a reschedule or annoyance from Bevan, I was pleasantly surprised at the professionalism she showed and was very considerate towards me. More than once she offered me to contact her for a follow up interview for any further questions I might have, as I was not in the best of health on that occasion.
After the interview we conversed about her recent election results, which she had been tensed about all week. She missed out on being elected. She talked about her ambitions and how she wanted to see the small businesses at the night market, to one day grow big, independent and successful.
Bevan spoke about the women from the Wise Women Circle, refugees who need a platform at events like the night market, to become independent and support their families and not rely on welfare.
Overall, she came across as quite inspiring, her drive and passion to achieve what she had always hoped for was very clear in the way she spoke.
I also noticed her strong awareness of current news affairs and political situations, commenting knowledgably on a number of topics, many of which I had only a passing familiarity with.
I walked away from Bevan wide eyed and motivated to do, become and achieve things. I am glad to have met the Bevan before the scandal, as this is a side of her I may have not seen post the current media outburst.作者: AUGUSTUS 时间: 2013-10-18 09:36:39
