Town Criers

Bonus Koroit Episode: Mick McGoldrick, The Irish Surf Captain

How could an Irishman who couldn't swim,  one day become a surf lifesaving captain? This is a short but sweet episode featuring a much loved Koroit local Mick McGoldrick.  Originally from County Cavan, Ireland, Mick came out to Australia for the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and then decided he wanted to stay. Mick is involved in many local clubs. But his most prominent role would have to be the Port Fairy Surf Lifesaving Club captain.  Kirsten also asks Mick about growing up in the 1970s and 80s in Ireland, in an area where violent attacks were occurring during what's now known as The Troubles. If you haven't already... listen to the full Koroit episode (released just before this one)! Would you like the Town Criers to come to your town? Visit our website. [https://www.towncriers.com.au/] This is a Rural Podcasting Co [https://www.ruralpodcastingco.com/]. production.

Koroit - A Piece of Ireland in Australia

We're off to the little Irish town where even the soil and beer at Mickey Bourke's Hotel have been known to shine green!  Koroit, in south-west Victoria is steeped in Irish history, with a tight-knit community, legendary football team (6 wins in a row!) and impressive music and arts scene. Damian and Kirsten uncover Koroit's fine sporting history of Ferret Racing, the community's brilliant campaign to save St Brigid's Hall and the two Popstars of the 2000s who now call Koroit home. How well do the locals know their Irish history? How well do they know their famous soil? We test this and more! Featured locals include: * Rachael Houlihan - Warrnambool Standard reporter and Kirkstall local * Adele McDonald and Barry Brody - Koroit Irish Festival  * Paddy Kelly - A "real Koroit Irishman" * Gerard "Cactus" Kearney -  Local gardener and gravedigger * Danielle Stearman and Scott Cain (Koroit's very own Popstars!) * Karen Foster - Mayor of the Moyne Shire + some young Mayors in the making! * Carol McDonald - 15 minutes of Fame, Crossley This episode (and live show) has been sponsored by the Fletcher Jones Family Foundations, with support of the Moyne Shire. Thank you for your support! Would you like the Town Criers to come to your town? Visit our website. [https://www.towncriers.com.au/] This is a Rural Podcasting Co [https://www.ruralpodcastingco.com/]. production.

Willaura & Moyston Ep 2. - Dr Checchi's big needle; general store auction & the town quiz!

We begin by diving into the history of Grampians towns, Willaura and Moyston... from the early days of wheat cropping to the wool boom of the 1950s and 60s when the towns reached their peak population. Damian gets a tour of the Willaura Historical Society building, and discovers the beloved Dr Cyril Checci,  a WWI doctor, who went on to deliver about 2000 babies in the region.  We uncover a hilarious account of the 1977 account of the rabbit skinning-competition and look back at some of the outlandish newspaper advertisements of the early 1900s. That's all before we auction off the Moyston-General store to a live crowd and find a winner in the Town Quiz. Wich town knows their home better? Hear from: *John Walter - President of the Willaura Historical Society  *Julie-Ann Rose - Owner, Moyston General Store *Heather Fleming - President, Willaura Health Care Auxiliary and Willaura community advocate * Max McLean - President, Moyston Sheep Dog Club * Kevin Butler - Founder, BlazeAid Much of this episode was recorded in front of a live audience, at the Willaura Town Hall, as a fundraiser for BlazeAid. [https://blazeaid.com.au/] Thank you to the Moyston and WIllaura communities for their support. This is the second episode of a two-part series. So if you haven't already - go back and listen to the first one! Would you like the Town Criers to come to your town? Visit our website. [https://www.towncriers.com.au/] This is a Rural Podcasting Co [https://www.ruralpodcastingco.com/]. production.

Willaura and Moyston: The birthplace of AFL, the best bakery in Victoria ... and a snap mayoral election!

We head to Moyston and Willaura, two towns in the Grampians region of western Victoria. Both towns have populations of around 500 and have recently merged their football teams to become “the Pumas”. Despite neither town having a pub, they have each become tourist attractions in their own right!  This episode has been recorded live on stage at the Willaura Town Hall.  Damian and Kirsten discover:  ·      Moyston’s claim to fame as the birthplace of the AFL and the story of legendary sportsman, Tom Wills – with Brian Kennedy, former drama teacher and Moyston local ·      Why the Willaura Bakery [https://www.facebook.com/WillauraBakery/] is so famous – with Peter Sporton, owner of the Willaura Bakery ·      What the future of Willaura and Moyston will look like, in our snap Mayoral election - Cr Jo Armstrong of the Ararat Rural City  Shire responds to the policies put forward by Yr 4, 5 and 6 students from Willaura Primary School.   Join us we begin this fun and fascinating road trip around the Grampians. This is the first episode of a two-part series, originally held as a fundraiser for Blaze Aid. [https://blazeaid.com.au/]         Would you like the Town Criers to come to your town? Visit our website. [https://www.towncriers.com.au/] This is a Rural Podcasting Co [https://www.ruralpodcastingco.com/]. production.

Portland, VIC Ep 2: Top Secret Surf, Seals and Sport

We continue our adventure through Portland, this time getting into the sport of the town. Whether you’re into footy, basketball, surfing… or even walking, Portland does it better than most. The surf beaches are so good, Damian gets put in a car boot for a secret tour from a local surfer, who cannot be named, for fear of retribution. While Kirsten goes to Cape Bridgewater to experience the Great South West Walk. We also hear the incredible story of how nearby Budj Bim, the world’s oldest aquaculture system, came to be listed on the World Heritage List in 2019… a process which took nearly two decades. Damian and Kirsten finally make it up the corkscrew and witness the mysterious ‘truck rocket launchers’.  Featuring: * Bill Golding  - One of the Founders of the Great South West Walk and former Principal of Portland High School. * Dr Denis Rose - Gunditjmara man and former Project Manager for the Budj Bim Sustainable Development Partnership. * Cr Karen Stephens - Mayor of the Glenelg Shire, who takes us up the corkscrew and to the rocket launchers! * Chris ‘Lefty” Wright - Portland’s most prolific local footy player. * Unnamed Portland Surfer - who wishes to remain anonymous for his own safety. And the verdict’s in! Damo and Kirsten give their Town Criers’ small town criteria assessment. So, how will Portland fare on their unique scale? If you haven’t listened to our first episode [https://www.towncriers.com.au/episodes/episode-1], make sure you catch up! Thank you to The Committee for Portland [https://thisisportland.com.au/committee-for-portland/] for sponsoring this episode (and special mention for Portland Women in Business). Would you like the Town Criers to come to your town? Visit our website. [https://www.towncriers.com.au/] This is a Rural Podcasting Co [https://www.ruralpodcastingco.com/]. production.