Stepping up to responsibility in a time of crisis with Simone Bailey • RMRS E05
After being an accountant with the Mid Murray Council, Simone had just been elected Mayor when she suddenly faced a major flood crisis, shifting quickly into immediate disaster management. Simone rallied the community, organising meetings and delivering flyers to get everyone up to speed on flood risks and emergency plans. Simone helped to successfully secure […]
The Power of Perspective and Gratitude: Dinesh’s Path to Making a Difference
In this episode, the host interviews Dinesh Palipana, an extraordinary individual who has achieved remarkable success as a doctor, lawyer, researcher, and disability advocate. Dinesh shares his life story, starting from his childhood in war-torn Sri Lanka, the challenges he faced after moving to Australia, and how those experiences shaped his outlook on life. He […]
Pushing the boundaries of modern medicine to create change with Ben Bravery
Ben was raised by a single mother in Southeast Queensland, who instilled ambition and curiosity, setting the foundation for his diverse and driven future journey. After studying zoology, Ben worked in environmental policy with the Australian Government, but he became disillusioned, realising that meaningful environmental impact required more than policy work. He moved to China […]
From Boat Escape to Refugee Advocate: Mahshid Babzartabi’s Journey to Reclaiming her Next Chapter
In this episode, we explore the harrowing and inspirational journey of Mahshid Babzartabi, a refugee who fled Iran at age 52, as she was unable to endure the constraints of a society that silenced her voice. Confronted with limited legal options for safe emigration, she ultimately embarked on a perilous boat journey to Australia. Despite […]
From Sri Lanka to Australia: Jetha Devapura’s Journey of Resilience, Philanthropy, and Advocacy
In this episode, Emma has a heartfelt conversation with Jetha Devapura, an inspiring CEO and philanthropist who immigrated from Sri Lanka to Australia at the age of 12. Together, they discuss Jetha’s memories of his childhood in Colombo and his transition to life in Australia as a teenager. Jetha shares his academic struggles and eventual […]
Multiple Migrations: Laura Gutierrez’s Search for a Place to Call Home
In this episode, Laura Gutierrez shares her experience as an immigrant having migrated multiple times from Colombia to the US, from the US to New Zealand, and from New Zealand to Australia. She discusses her motivations for leaving her country of origin, including a desire to explore other cultures and escape certain aspects of her […]
Safeguarding the community and leading a team through natural disaster with Tony Siviour • RMRS E03
Tony Sivour is the general manager of the Renmark Paringa Council in South Australia. Born in Barmera, he’s a long-term Riverlander who returned after gaining valuable local government experience elsewhere. Tony worked tirelessly to protect Renmark during the major 2022 floods. His efforts focused on managing the levees, coordinating with authorities, and keeping the community […]
From paramedic to pilot; a journey of adventure, resilience & creativity with Christian Mortensen
Christian Mortensen grew up in Melbourne with a Jewish mother and an artist dad, weaving his childhood with diverse cultural experiences and unique perspectives. He studied ancient history and anthropology at Melbourne University, then taught first aid courses, laying a foundation for his future in emergency services. Trained as a wilderness EMT in Colorado, Christian […]
A lifelong commitment to working alongside police dogs with David Raymond • Animals & Us E05
From a young age, Dave dreamed of being a policeman, inspired by early experiences and playing with boxes that he labelled “police.” He joined the Queensland Police in 1989, driven by a desire to make a difference, and soon became a respected officer. A chance conversation led Dave to the competitive dog squad, where he […]
Turning disaster into natural beauty through photography with Paul Smith • RMRS E02
Paul Smith, known locally as Jubba, took up photography after a motorbike accident in 2008 left him on disability. After moving to Mannum, South Australia, he began photographing the river, discovering its serene beauty During the 2022, floods Jubba documented the water slowly rising in Mannum and the surrounding areas. As the floodwaters rose, locals […]