The 360 Interview
I met the producer, Gretchen Miller, in Cashel Mall (Re:START) on a lovely sunny day. The city was still being demolished around us – I pay homage to the big machines and demolition workers who had become the new normal in the CBD. I love how Gretchen kept in those background noises, especially the seagulls! We talked about the impact of the Christchurch earthquakes on my family’s business, and other businesses from the central city. The podcast begins with the reading of a Café Reflection written in April 2007. I was sitting at an outdoor table in Cashel Mall, after purchasing lunch from In Italia in the Guthrey Centre. I describe the now demolished Whitcoulls, Weekly Press, and other heritage buildings. I share a memory from childhood. I talk about what happened in the area during and after the earthquake. Then Gretchen and I chat about how the earthquake has impacted on me and the businesses located in the heart of Christchurch. As well as how writing and publishing my books have helped me cope with the post earthquake trauma and changes.Other guests in the Documentary
Also interviewed were:- Brian Parker
- Communications manager, CanCern
- Coralie Winn
- Co-founder, Gapfiller
- Professor Jarg Pettinga
- Professor of Engineering and Structural Geology, at the University of Canterbury
- Joe Bennett
- Writer, columnist for The Press newspaper
- Libby Gawith
- Psychology lecturer at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
- Lucy Daeth
- Public Health Specialist at the Canterbury District Health Board
- Paul Bolger
- website developer
- Tusiata Avia
- Poet and writer
- Producer
- Gretchen Miller
- Sound Engineer
- Russell Stapleton
Other Articles
Christchurch Earthquake 5th Anniversary Reflection
Please note: At the time of the earthquakes, and in the first two years after, I ran a website under the domain name CafeReflections.com. I posted many articles and images about my Canterbury Earthquake experiences there. In recent times I have been rebranding my websites and the CafeReflections.com domain is no longer owned by me.
Christchurch City Libraries Book Review
Christchurch City Libraries reviews books by Deb Donnell – Cafe Reflections and Responders, both focusing on the Christchurch Earthquakes. They are two very interesting books with a unique perspective on the earthquakes and Christchurch. About Cafe Reflections: “This is not merely a book of cafe reviews, it also tells the vivid and painful story of
Sounds Historical Interview 19 June 2011
Sounds Historical with Jim Sullivan on Radio New Zealand interview from 19 June 2011. I was interviewed about the book I was working on at the time of the February 2011 earthquakes, Café Reflections. This programme gives listeners their chance to learn about the colourful, dramatic, and often remarkable events and people of New Zealand’s
