Shows
20 Square Blocks54: The NightingaleNick Prince received the prestigious Florence Nightingale Medal from the International Red Cross, recognising his 30 years of exceptional service as a nurse. The award honoured his dedication to providing healthcare in challenging environments, including armed conflicts and natural disasters. Nick became the first Australian male recipient of this esteemed international distinction.
2025-01-2041 min
20 Square Blocks53: Life Inside the Botanical GardensIan Rossiter shares his unique experiences living in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. From overseeing the gardens to managing dramatic events like major floods and vandalism of iconic statues, Ian recounts life in the Curator's Cottage, balancing work, family, and community responsibilities during his career with the City of Ballarat.
2024-09-2025 min
20 Square Blocks52: Hiroshima POW Camp #9-B (Part 3)Today, we conclude the powerful story of Charles Edwards, a World War II soldier captured at Parit Sulong in Malaysia. In this episode, we follow his journey to Japan, where he was taken to the Ohama prison camp (Hiroshima POW Camp #9-B) which was operating as a coal mine outside Hiroshima. Still in captivity, Charles witnessed the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima—a moment that forever changed the course of history and his life.
2024-08-1921 min
20 Square Blocks51: Hellfire Pass (Part 2)Part 2: Initially imprisoned in Pudu Jail, the remaining members of the 2/19th Battalion were allocated to external work parties. Charles Edwards found himself with the largest of these groups and was sent to work on the Burma-Thailand railway at Hellfire Pass.
2024-04-1932 min
20 Square Blocks50: The fall of Singapore (Part 1)Charles Edwards was a Prisoner of War in World War 2 spending a total of 1301 days in captivity. His bloody yet compelling story is one of extreme courage, sacrifice and a lot of luck.
2024-02-2028 min
20 Square Blocks49: Black Hill RescueIn 1998, twenty hours into an abduction case involving a 16-year-old girl, Sergeant Peter Anderson was alone, crawling through a 100 year-old mineshaft with a dodgy torch. As he moved ahead through the damp tunnel, he came across a roll of black tape, a shovel and a large roll of plastic. He now feared the worst possible outcome.
2024-01-2034 min
20 Square Blocks48: When We Had TramsAndrew Wallace has spent the last 20 years as a dedicated pathways co-ordinator helping students think about their future; but Andrew is also deeply passionate about the past. Serving as a current member and former president of the Ballarat Historical Society, the group actively contributes to preserving and archiving local historical facts, reflecting their commitment to the community’s heritage.
2023-12-1925 min
20 Square Blocks47: The Seagull That SoaredDavid O’Neill’s Journey, is one woven with words. Crafting rhymes at the age of 15, he turned that skill into a thriving career in journalism and communication. Now Dave is pursuing his dream of becoming a published author. He sat down and chatted with us about his first book "The Seagull that soared".
2023-11-2027 min
20 Square Blocks46: Finding FemmeIf you live in Ballarat, there’s a good chance you know Liana Emerson from somewhere. Maybe the Ballarat National Theatre? Winning this year’s Citizen of the year? Perhaps you know her from her band or possibly the tweed ride? Or maybe it’s from her personal style blog Finding Femme? There’s once thing for certain though …Liana knows herself.
2023-10-1927 min
20 Square Blocks45: There and Back AgainAndrew Sutherland, a multi-talented individual, possessing a unique blend of skills while maintaining an unassuming demeanour. As a poet, playwright, author, singer and lecturer, he has spent the past two decades away from Ballarat, dedicating his time to teaching in China. Now, he has returned to his hometown, bringing with him a wealth of experiences and insights.
2023-09-2025 min
20 Square Blocks44: Another RealmMeet Ash Bedford, a distinctive personal trainer whose deep involvement in shamanic healing, sacred medicines, and yoga has not just helped him overcome personal struggles with depression but has also enriched him with invaluable insights to support others on their journey.
2023-08-1927 min
20 Square Blocks43: TiminationTim Sedgwick is an artist exploring different ways of expression, ideas and techniques in many forms through several artistic fields. “When I had secret birthday wishes, I wished I'd become an artist and create interesting things. My wish has come true. My dream came true. I am having so much fun.” TIM SEDGWICK
2023-07-2017 min
20 Square Blocks42: Work Life BalanceLeigh Ericksen, the innovative mind behind Stoke Design, embarked on a remarkable venture in 2019 by founding a web and design studio. Fuelled by his desire to achieve a better work-life balance and spend quality time with his young family, Leigh was willing to do whatever it took to create a thriving business. I spoke to him about his journey and the invaluable lessons he learnt along the way.
2023-06-2022 min
20 Square Blocks41: AIWritten by AI: In this episode, we delve into the intriguing realm of artificial intelligence, featuring professor Peter Vamplew, a highly esteemed authority in the field. It is with great pleasure that we welcome him as our guest on the 20 Square Blocks podcast. Together, we embark on a captivating expedition, venturing into the forefront of AI research, examining its far-reaching effects on society, and delving into the profound ethical dilemmas that emerge in this rapidly advancing domain. Prepare yourself for an enlightening experience as we navigate the enthralling landscape of artificial intelligence within the dynamic framework of our podcast.
2023-05-2019 min
20 Square Blocks40: MeditationMichael Westlake is a master of creating soundscapes, carefully composing auditory experiences that transport audiences to other realms. Yet, amidst the symphony of his creative endeavours, he finds peace in the serene simplicity of silence, often finding solace in meditation to tap into his inner muse.https://www.michaelwestlakemusic.com.au/
2023-04-2024 min
20 Square Blocks39: Role ModelsLife is an adventure. Full of excitement, pain and a hell of a lot of mistakes that if we’re wise enough, we learn from. Zane Harris certainly learnt from his.
2023-02-2037 min
20 Square Blocks38: Black HillBlack Hill, once known by its indigenous name, Bowdun, is according to my guest a beautiful mess. And is it any wonder? For over 180 years the hill’s been mined, stripped bare, bashed about, reshaped and replanted with monterey pines.It’s a place with a rich history if you know exactly where to look.
2023-01-2025 min
20 Square Blocks37: Now You Can Eat Father ChristmasRoland Rocchiccioli was made for a life in theatre. With a career spanning 50 years, he worked on Broadway and The West End with legends like Ingrid Bergman and Debbie Reynolds. He is a stage manager, actor, director, playwright, company manager and broadcaster. He has worked with the impresarios Harry M. Miller and Ken Brodziak on productions of The Rocky Horror Show, Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar. He’s worked on Broadway and The West End with luminaries like Ingrid Bergman, Debbie Reynolds and Googie Withers.
2022-12-2021 min
20 Square Blocks36: Black SummerThe Black Summer Bushfires tore through massive areas of Australian bushland in 2019 and 2020. As fires ripped through East Gippsland, 4000 people found themselves trapped in Mallacoota with no way out. Olisama Gibson was one of them.
2022-11-2025 min
20 Square Blocks35: Honk For JoeYou might have heard of the global movement called "Extinction Rebellion". If not, Joe will fill you in on the details and let you know why groups like this are vital to our survival ...and keep us away from extinction.
2022-10-2021 min
20 Square Blocks34: Going For ItIts not easy throwing caution to the wind and following your dreams.Although some may argue slugging away at a job you have zero passion for isn’t either. But at some point in our lives most of us find ourselves at this exact crossroads. Joe Baxter chatted to me about why he chose the path of most resistance.
2022-09-2024 min
20 Square Blocks33: Grainery Lane - Part 3For this third and final episode on Grainery Lane, we chat to audio engineer, Rex Hardware. Rex taught at the school of mines by day, and at night Grainery Lane proved to be an ideal training ground for his students as they worked on some of the earliest known live internet broadcasts, in the late 90s.
2022-08-2023 min
20 Square Blocks32: Grainery Lane - Part 2Hap Haywood is the definition of jack of all trades. The thing is, he’s actually pretty damn good at all of them. From fronting bands like The Dead Salesman to dipping his toe into the world of comedy to polishing symbols for the Screaming Jets. Hap and I chat about all of these things and how Grainery Lane intersected his world.
2022-07-2039 min
20 Square Blocks31: Grainery Lane - Part 1In the vibrant post-punk era in Ballarat, The Grainery Lane Theatre was a bizarre and much loved institution running purely on adrenaline, high levels of creativity and masses of love. Kiri Smart spoke to us about what the company was and why it was so important to artists of the city.
2022-06-1918 min
20 Square Blocks30: Token White GuySeth Leslie, while very happily working in Robotics today, used to be a drug lord, an angry police officer and a best friend. In fact, as an actor he would be anything the call sheet would tell him to. Seth sat down with us and spoke about his time in Hong Kong, acting in an unknown language and dubbing for Japanese Anime.
2022-05-2030 min
20 Square Blocks29: Forty Seven StringsA musical journey with Dr Jacinta Dennett discussing her instrument of passion, the harp.
2022-04-2012 min
20 Square Blocks28: A Quick Guide to Ballarat HorsesGraeme Quick is a researcher, historian and well rounded professional horseman. In fact he was recently awarded the James Stewart bequest for his Phd on social economic and cultural history of horses in Ballarat. Graeme gives us a unique look into Ballarat’s history, using his insight and knowledge to transport us back to 1832 to reveal just how the horse has shaped this city.
2022-03-1938 min
20 Square Blocks27: Fine ArtLily Mae Martin is a visual artist who graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2008 with a Bachelor of Fine Art majoring in Drawing. I spoke to Lily about scholarships, Tasmania and her Waterloo paintings which came during a time when she changed her direction in life to aged care.
2022-02-2019 min
20 Square Blocks26: Dungeons and DragonsIf you’re a fan of board games, Dungeons and Dragons or just your average computer nerd, then you’d probably love GUF. Mark Carter, one of the owners and founders of GUF tells us about growing up in the 80’s, writing computer games and getting kidnapped in Kashmir.
2022-01-2031 min
20 Square Blocks25: I Killed SantaI don't know much about 13 year olds....although I guess a long time ago I was one. I was interested to know what goes on in the mind of a teen in the twenty twenties and, being this time of year, see what they have to say about Christmas.
2021-12-2015 min
20 Square Blocks24: Its Always 4.45 at the Bridge MallWhat does Lady Di, a broken clock and Billy the dog have in common? The Bridge Mall of course! With over 100 stores, many multi generational, "The Bridge" has been the heart of Ballarat since the early 80's. I spoke with Germaine Davey (the General Manager of the Bridge Mall Business Association) and some of the locals store holders about their love of the Mall.
2021-11-2020 min
20 Square Blocks23: ChangesWe all go through changes in life. Sometimes they impact us positively….other times - not so much. Jason Wakefield is a rehabilitation nurse at the Queen Elizabeth hospital and he witness changes in his patients everyday. However he has been through some rather big changes in his life and came by to share his story.
2021-10-2015 min
20 Square Blocks22: The BrumbiesChasing bears, taming wild horses or riding with Bruce Springsteen through the Victorian High County. All in a day for this third generation Australian Horseman.
2021-09-2028 min
20 Square Blocks21: HumannessWhat do you think the purpose of being a human is? a) To live stress-free and happy b) To push the boundaries of humankind c) To live a full life d) Other
2021-08-2019 min
20 Square Blocks20: Student PoliticsI’ve heard it said that the desire to become a politician should in itself prevent you from ever becoming one.Unfortunately this advice isn’t often heeded.My guest today (who remains anonymous for obvious reasons) talks about politics being an addictive, lowbrow games full of dirt sheets, sabotage and backstabbing. All in the life of university student politics.
2021-07-2039 min
20 Square Blocks19: IdentityComing from South America, Guillermo Guzzoni arrived in Australia 11 years ago without knowing anyone ...or any english. When he decided to stay, he started to question who he was. I had a chat to him about the challenges of moving to a new country, redefining yourself and reestablishing your identity.
2021-06-2020 min
20 Square Blocks18: AnthropologyPapua New Guinea used to be known to Australians as "The last frontier", a premium destination in the 1970's before it separated, gaining it's full independence. Janice Newton, an accomplished anthropologist who often visited the country from 1970 - 1979, reflects back on some of the key moments that shaped her life.
2021-05-2022 min
20 Square Blocks17: GhostsWARNING: If you believe in ghosts and want to continue this belief...perhaps skip this episode. Dr David Waldron will drop some logic that may make you re-examine your beliefs.Two blocks South East lives Dr David Waldron. He is a folklorist and historian with a particular focus on the development of urban legends and popular folklore as a response to traumatic community experiences. David tells us about some of the ghosts in Victoria like the mysterious woman’s face that appears in bath lane; or the terrible true story of Mabel Ambrose who was found by tw...
2021-04-2020 min
20 Square Blocks16: Falun DafaIn 2001 a group of tourists from all over the world gathered in Tiananmen Square seemingly to take a photo ….but they had other intentions. Unveiling a yellow flag they started a protest. Emblazoned on this flag were just three words - Truth, Compassion, Tolerance. Seemingly from nowhere, vans and police quickly enveloped the group, arresting them. What were they protesting you might ask? Falun Dafa!
2021-03-2019 min
20 Square Blocks15: Ancient VoicesBarry Gilson is a proud Wadawurrung man, a traditional custodian of Ballarat and surrounding areas. He is a poet, a story teller and my local postie.He is also a respected singer songwriter and specialises in bringing back the ancient language of his people through his music.
2021-02-1916 min
20 Square Blocks14: PhilosophyYou know when you’ve had one of those nights, where in the early hours of the morning you find yourself pondering the big questions of life ... until it does your head in? Now imagine if your entire life was doing exactly that. I sat down with Ben Numquam a PHD candidate studying philosophy at federation University.At the end of the show I mention the Podcast 'The Volume knob: The Songs that saved your life'. The host, Keith Serry', spoke to me about the song 'Pore Jud Is Dead' which was actually a song that nearly en...
2021-01-2021 min
20 Square Blocks13: ChristmasMerv Romeo spent 16 years performing rock n’ roll Christmas carols on his front porch and became an icon of the Ballarat Christmas scene. I spoke to him about where the tradition came from, what it meant to locals and visitors alike and what it meant to him.
2020-12-2020 min
20 Square Blocks12: The GardensGardens provide us many things - flowers, fruit, weeds and at certain points in our lives, free therapy. I spoke with Kim Nolan, a member of the Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens about what the garden means to her and how, when we're at our most vulnerable, a beautiful garden can offer a peace and tranquility to help us to heal.
2020-11-1915 min
20 Square Blocks11: Sometimes You Won'tWhat happens when things start to go wrong - all around you? I sat down with Chris and Lucy Frith and spoke about when they met, when they got married and how when things started to crumble, they reevaluated and swivelled.
2020-10-2018 min
20 Square Blocks10: The Funky TurtlesMoving from the UK to Australia in the mid 1960’s, an aspiring young drummer found himself living in Melbourne during the hey day of sharpies, rockers & mods. Geoff Hassall chatted to me about his love of music and what led to an unexpected yet possibly the most fulfilling chapter in his music career.
2020-09-2018 min
20 Square Blocks09: The Comfort of StrangersAsk anyone what Ballarat is known for and you’d probably hear gold, amazing architecture, freezing cold weather and pubs.Torquil Neilson, a former film and tv actor, spoke to me about hanging up his actors hat, moving to Ballarat and opening an intimate bar 'The Comfort of Strangers' and how this decision changed his life.http://thecomfortofstrangers.com
2020-08-2021 min20 Square Blocks08: Truth HurtsKatrina Hill is a talented performing artist, events manager, podcaster and registered celebrant. But more than that, as many of her friends can attest, Katrina is a truth seeker both on and off the stage.
2020-07-2018 min
20 Square Blocks07: PrincipalGhosts, Ned Kelly and Eureka are all a part of Dana Street Primary school’s history. I sat down with Paul Nolan, the former principal and asked him to tell us about his time there and what he learnt about it’s 160 year history. Find out about how, when locking up the school one night, he took a photograph of a ghost that scared the living daylights out of him and his teachers.
2020-06-2019 min
20 Square Blocks06: The Mechanics' InstituteThe Mechanics Institute's building in Ballarat, perhaps by design, has a feeling of exclusivity and although I walk past it almost every day, I never knew what went on inside. So one day I went in to find out.
2020-05-2017 min
20 Square Blocks05: Rite of PassageSeveral months ago, before we were all locked down, I spoke with Trav Munro. Trav is an inspirational youth educator, life coach and motivational speaker. In our conversation we explored his upbringing, his relationship with his father and his Rite of Passage program that he designed for Fathers and Sons.
2020-04-2015 min
20 Square Blocks04: Century Old AudioWhy do we collect things? Some use it to relax, others for the thrill of the hunt. Then there are those that use it as a way to keep the past alive.
2020-03-1916 min
20 Square Blocks03: ComedyComedy Ballarat has been going for just a few years and is enjoying the spoils of smart, honest and often gut-busting local comedy. This month we spoke with local comedian Crystal Rae. Tassie bred, she worked her way from Hobart Radio before moving to the mainland and finding her way into the world of stand-up. In this episode we also spoke with other local comedians such as Jamie Josephs, Josh Arthur and Leasa Kaitoa moments before they took the step from the greenroom to the stage.
2020-02-1912 min
20 Square Blocks02: LakesideIn 1996, following the closure of many psychiatric hospitals around the country, Ballarat’s own asylum, the Lakeside Mental Hospital closed its doors. Ballarat’s mental asylum was the home to many patients during this time but also the staff.
2020-01-2013 min20 Square Blocks01: The YarroweeThrough the centre of Ballarat flows the Yarrowee. Not many people know it’s there because it harbours many a disguise such as a trickling stream, a junction, and a dangerous storm water drain travelling through underground tunnels and popping out the other-side like nothing happened.
2019-12-2012 min
Maynard ProductionsThe HecklerInterview with Ben Plazzer, director of new Australian comedy movie The Heckler. It’s about swapping bodies and swapping jokes. Onstage and backstage. I’m easily distracted and really liked it. You might too. Ben Plazzer gives you some tips on directing in a toilet and keeping stand up comics from overacting.
2015-05-1408 min