Finding purpose during adversity thanks to community support with Adrian ‘Moose’ Skeggs
Adrian “Moose” Skeggs was born and raised on Lord Howe Island, a small, close-knit place he calls absolutely idyllic and full of daily adventures and learning. Adrian faced a tough start. His mother was bedridden for years, and he often pushed boundaries, seeking attention and connection from his community. Despite childhood challenges and going off […]
Danni’s Story: From Grief to Supporting Others as an End-of-Life Doula
Danni started her working life as a police officer where she saw death early but rarely spoke about it and learned firsthand about the challenges of facing mortality. Danni also dealt with the deaths of several family members and often became the person responsible for bringing people together and supporting her family through loss. She […]
Conveying calm communications amid rising waters with Stephanie Brookes • RMRS E14
Stephanie grew up in Dublin, Ireland, where she explored her interest in consumer behaviour and marketing. She studied wine and its emotional connections, learning the importance of storytelling in people’s lives. She moved to the Riverland in 2012 and fell in love with the region especially the River Murray. She is married to a local […]
Requalifying as a Veterinarian: Natalia Gomez’s Journey From Colombia to Australia
In this conversation, Natalia Gomez shares her transformative journey from Colombia to Australia, discussing her motivations for leaving her home country, including the cultural dissonance she experienced with Colombia’s ‘machista’ norms. She recounts the challenges of securing a skill-aligned job, preparing for the Australia Veterinary Exam, and requalifying as a veterinarian in Australia. She opens […]
Learning how to value yourself with Kat Finnerty
Kat Finnerty grew up as the eldest of five children in a multicultural family. Her upbringing taught her resilience and responsibility, shaping her perspective on life from a young age. At twelve, Kat lost her mother to cancer. This experience deeply influenced her understanding of impermanence, grief, and the importance of finding meaning during difficult […]
Learning how to value yourself with Kat Finnerty
Kat Finnerty grew up as the eldest of five children in a multicultural family. Her upbringing taught her resilience and responsibility, shaping her perspective on life from a young age. At twelve, Kat lost her mother to cancer. This experience deeply influenced her understanding of impermanence, grief, and the importance of finding meaning during difficult […]
Rebuilding a home and advocating for clearer communication with Graham Radford • RMRS E13
Graham arrived to live on the Murray in 2010 after a life as a multi-generation landowner and farmer elsewhere in the region. He describes rural self-reliance, and both the strengths and challenges of small-town community dynamics during crises. His first-hand experiences with flood preparation, with the help of his family, what worked, what didn’t (like […]
When Gloria Tabi Took the Wig Off and Found Enough
In this episode, Emma Bellamy-Dodd interviews Gloria Tabi, founder of Everyday inclusion and Enable Women Africa, about her journey from Ghana to Australia and her fight against systemic racism. Gloria shares how colonial legacies and the search for opportunity shaped her migration, and describes the invisible barriers she faced in Australia’s workplaces despite her qualifications. […]
Serving the community, and the importance of blood donations with John Breda
John grew up in the western suburbs near Parramatta, playing footy, learning a trade as a sparky and always wanting to become a police officer, inspired by his grandfather’s advice. His early lessons in communication as a sparky on job sites shaped how he approached policing and helped him connect with others. In 1997, John […]
Building a community workforce with Anthony Winter & Brenton Jinks • RMRS E12
Anthony Winter and Brenton Jinks are highly experienced local tradies and community service co-ordinators who have worked for the South Australian Corrections Department for over 16 years. During the 2022-3 Murray River Floods they taught practical trade skills to prisoners, from the safe use of tools to teamwork. They helped participants gain confidence and experience […]