Interview with Diana Crossan

Diana Buchanan Crossan born Akaroa 1949. Outlines family background - both parents were teachers. Recalls earliest memories of school and polio injections. Gives political background. Refers to Arowhenua Maori School, Temuka. Recalls being passionate about women's issues as a young girl; being accepted for American Field Scholarship and going to Roxboro, North Carolina, USA in 1967; American family and biculturalism. Mentions `Blacks' in North Carolina. Reference to biological inferiority; Watts Riots 1967; Martin Luther King; Bobby Kennedy; Duke University and Stokeley Carmichael. Talks about involvement in American Field Scholars Returnee's Group; experience as a probation officer and time at Swansea College (UK) to gain qualification in social work. Recalls, while in Swansea meeting husband, Selahattin Soylemezoglu Metallurgis who was Turkish, marriage 1977 and separating in 1989. Recalls starting Employment Centre at Taupo 1979 with reference to application for money to the Roy McKenzie Trust. Set up Equal Employment Opportunities Unit at State Services Commission in 1986. Discusses involvement with the Roy McKenzie Foundation and positions held. Explains Roy McKenzie's open approach to life. Gives details of Capital Discovery Trust Board. Compares Roy McKenzie Trust with other trusts. Reference to Adult Literacy; Second Chance Education. Mentions Todd Foundation, McKenzie Education Foundation and Edwina Mountbatten Scholarship for Commonwealth students.

Access Contact - see oral history librarian

Venue - Wellington

Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson

Accompanying material - Newspaper article (with photograph) from Christchurch Star, Sept 10 1976 by Diana Crossan Kiwis `don't know their rights'

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB-1306.

One photograph of Diana Buchanan Crossan

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.