About Regional

Stream episodes on demand from www.bitesz.com (mobile friendly). Welcome to About Regional, a new place for the stories of South East NSW. Today’s conversation is with Michael Grab. Michael’s rock balancing art stops the world dead, and in the same way that breathing just happens, your mind automatically asks, "How the hell does he do that?" The gallery of photo and videos on his Gravity Glue website is extraordinary. Canadian born Michael has been on the Far South Coast of New South Wales over summer, bringing his brand of land art to Picnic Point and Goalen Head, a magic bit of coastline between Bermagui and Tathra. His work defies gravity, at least how the rest of us understand gravity, but Michael seems to have an ability to tap into and read this invisible earth force - something he describes as "gravity glue". How does he do it? You are about to find out! A shout out to those who support local story telling – Julie Rutherford Real Estate Bermagui, the Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre, and Kiah Wilderness Tours. Thanks for listening. Ian #gravityglue #art #NSW #Australia #SouthEast #storytelling #MichaelGrab #artist @MichaelGrab

Stream episodes on demand from www.bitesz.com (mobile friendly) Show notes – Podcast 20 – when nan and pop have to be mum and dad About Regional is a new place for the stories of South East NSW. Podcast 20 features an extraordinary group of people who have just started meeting regularly to support each other through challenges and troubles that most would find impossible. This group of a dozen or more grandparents are raising their grandchildren and great grandchildren. The parents of these kids have deserted them for a range of reasons and these Grandparents – the parents of the parents are the safety net. Karen Thomas and Vanessa Bragg from PlayAbility in Bega have bought these families together. PlayAbility provide early intervention services for families who have young children with a disability or developmental delay. You are about to meet people that carry an interesting range of emotions - sadness and despair, mixed with joy, humour, and love. What stood out to me as I listened to these stories is that these people walk among us, carrying the most heartbreaking experiences, stories that have gone unheard, told by people who haven’t been recognised or supported – until now. I’ve beeped out the names of the kids to respect their privacy. About Regional content is supported by members, thank you to 2pi Software, The Crossing Land Education Trust at Bermagui, Sam Bright and Loz Hunt, Amanda Fowler and Kylie Dummer. Thanks for tuning in, your interest adds weight and momentum to the stories you’ve just heard. Your feedback and story ideas are welcome – email hello@aboutregional.com.au See you out and about in South East NSW. Ian #regional #nsw #Australia #southeast #aboutregional

Stream episodes on demand from www.bitesz.com (mobile friendly). Some school holiday listening this time round. During Local Government Week recently, Eurobodalla Shire Council made space for the youth of the shire. Senior students from Carroll College and St Peter’s Anglican College at Broulee, and Batemans Bay High School were given time to address Council – including Mayor, Liz Innes and Deputy Mayor, Anthony Mayne. One of the Shire’s Federal MP’s was also taking notes – Member for Gilmore, Anne Sudmalis. Courtney Fryer from Carroll College, used the opportunity to advocate for young people living with physical and mental disability. Harrison O’Keefe from Batemans Bay High, made a great point around youth engagement –“show them what they are missing out on” and he has an idea to do just that. While Pippi Sparrius from St Peter’s presented some surprising stats around teenage pregnancy in the Eurobodalla. Keen to give the students a ‘real council meeting’ experience, Cr Innes was watching the clock, with Courtney, Harrison, and Pippi given five minutes each. For support or more info about the issues raised in this podcast check in with the Eurobodalla youth services directory or drop by one of the Shire’s popular Youth Cafes in Narooma and Batemans Bay. About Regional is supported by the financial contributions of members, including Jill Howell, Max Wilson, Sue MacKinnon, Geoff Berry, and Four Winds at Bermagui – who have just released the program for next Easter’s festival, 60 artists, 10 ensembles, 26 performances, 10 stunning locations, over 5 days starting in late March 2018. Early bird tickets are on sale now. Thanks for tuning in, see you out and about in South East NSW. Cheers Ian Subscribe, rate and review About Regional podcast at Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes), Stitcher, Pocketcasts, audioBoom and all good podcatcher apps. For more, visit http://aboutregional.com.au/ #Australia #NSW #regional #Bega #Southeast #Eurobodalla

Stream episodes on demand from www.bitesz.com (mobile friendly) In the depths of a Bega winter around 70 people turned out to the Bega Campus of the University of Wollongong to hear a local perspective of Feminism in the 21st Century. Local writers group Mnemosyne posed the question – ‘Is feminism still relevant?’ A lively discussion followed. Your host will introduce you to the panel and the meaning of Mnemosyne. The discussion doubled as the launch of a new local journal. The Kickstarter fundraising campaign runs until the end of September hoping to turn the journal into a reality. You are about to find out more. Your host is PhD student, Jodie Stewart who has just been awarded the Deen De Bortoli Award for Applied History from the History Council of NSW for her work and research around the Bundian Way, and ancient Aboriginal pathway linking the Far South Coast and the Snowy Mountains of NSW. Thanks to About Regional members, Tania Ward, Ingrid Mitchell, Deb Nave, and Scott Halfpenny for their support in making this podcast. Cheers Ian Subscribe, rate and review About Regional at Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes), Stitcher, Pocket Casts, audioBoom and all good podcast apps. For more visit http://aboutregional.com.au/ #regional #asutralia #bega #southeast #NSW #aboutregional

Stream episodes on demand from www.bitesz.com (mobile friendly) Podcast 17, August 22 2017, show notes Gabrielle Powell is one of those familiar faces around Bega, but she has just had an experience that took her way beyond her Pedan Street base. For almost 11 years Gabrielle has been the manager of the town’s Women’s Resource Centre. With long service leave in her sails Gabrielle took off for Malawi in South East Africa, a country of 18 million people bordered by Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique. There are no banana lounges or pina coladas with this getaway, Gabrielle was there for two months as a mentor to an artist’s co-operative. A basket maker herself, Gabrielle had to put her art on the back seat, it was her management, admin, and leadership skills that were put to work with ‘People of the Sun’. I got talking to Gabrielle about this experience of a life time just a few days after she returned. Thank you to the About Regional members that made this podcast possible - investing in local stories. People like Julie Rutherford Real Estate at Bermagui, the Bega Valley Regional Learning Centre at Merimbula, Deborah Dixon, Robyn Amair, and Patrick Reubinson. Thanks for listening in. Ian