Ageless with Roz

Today I’m talking with Dr Diana Patterson OAM, an extraordinary Australian adventurer, Antarctic expedition leader, author and researcher. Diana became the first woman to lead an Australian Antarctic research station. After first travelling to Antarctica in 1987, she spent a summer at Casey before taking charge of Mawson Station in 1989, returning to lead Davis Station in 1995. She also led a cons...

The Joy of Strings: Keeping the Mandolin Orchestra Tradition Alive in Canberra Introduction Today on Ageless with Roz, we’re discovering a musical treasure that many Australians may never have experienced. The Canberra Mandolin Orchestra has been delighting audiences since 2003 with music that ranges from classical favourites and film themes to folk music, jazz-age tunes and music from cultures ar...

We spend a great deal of time learning how to live, but very little learning about dying, death and what may come afterwards. Today I’m talking with Sandra Bamford, a holistic funeral director who has spent many years bringing death back into life. In 2016 she founded Mary Eleanor Natural Funeral Care in Tasmania, pioneering a more personal approach to death care based on love, service and sustain...

Aimee Frodsham, is the Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director of Canberra Glassworks. She has spent more than 25 years working with artists and craftspeople, including 12 years at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum and Tate, before returning to Canberra to help lead one of Australia’s most important centres for contemporary glass. She has championed exhibitions, artist residencies and coll...

My Publisher in Chennai: Dr Olivannan and Building Bridges with Books People sometimes ask me how I find the fascinating people who come onto Ageless with Roz. And today’s guest is particularly easy to explain — because he is my publisher! I first came to know Dr G. Olivannan through my own books and my connection with Emerald Publishers in Chennai. Over the years, that professional relationship h...

The Art of Everywhere Else: Rethinking the Story of World Art with Associate Professor Sam Bowker Art history is much bigger than the Renaissance and the great European masters. Associate Professor Sam Bowker takes us on a journey through global art traditions, exploring Islamic art, African textiles, Asian masterpieces, museums, cultural heritage, and the fascinating question of who really owns t...

Today I’m delighted to welcome Virginia Haussegger AM—award-winning journalist, broadcaster, author and one of Australia’s most respected advocates for gender equality. For decades, Virginia has not only reported on Australia’s history but has also helped shape the national conversation about equality, leadership and the changing role of women in our society. This conversation isn’t simply about f...

Grant Battersby's career included service with Australia’s Office of National Assessments, the organisation that provided independent intelligence assessments to the Prime Minister and senior government ministers. Today, that organisation is known as the Office of National Intelligence, reflecting its expanded role in coordinating Australia’s National Intelligence Community. While much of Grant’s...

Dancing Through History: Dr Tony Turner on Theatre, Historical Dance and the Art of Performance

Today we’re travelling to the fascinating world of modern art through the life of one of its most influential champions—Peggy Guggenheim. My guest is Charlie Hall, a passionate arts educator, lecturer and guide based in London and Italy. Charlie is Director of the renowned John Hall Venice Course, established in 1965, and has spent years helping travellers, students and art lovers discover the ric...

In this inspiring conversation, Val Dempsey OAM, a Dame of Grace of the Most Venerable Order of St John, shares the remarkable story of a lifetime spent serving her community through St John Ambulance. Val reflects on leadership, volunteering, resilience, and why challenging ageism is one of Australia’s most important conversations. Her message is simple but powerful: a life with purpose has no ex...

When we think about intelligence in nature, we usually think of animals—creatures that move, communicate and seem to make decisions. But what if some of the most remarkable examples of problem-solving and adaptation are happening all around us in the plant world? My guest today is Pat Wright, a passionate educator and long-time volunteer at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. For many years,...

Why Theatre Still Matters: Karen Vicker on Stories, Community and Connection S1 E13 What makes live theatre so powerful in a digital age? In this episode, actor, director and ACT Hub co-founder Karen Vickery shares her passion for storytelling, the vital role of the arts in building community, and why live performance continues to captivate, challenge and connect us. It’s a fascinating conversatio...

What Can A Cup of Tea Teach Us About Sri Lanka – with Her Excellency Yasoja Gunesekera S1 E 12 Join me as I chat with Her Excellency Yasoja Gunasekera, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Australia. From diplomacy and cultural connections to the aroma of Sri Lanka’s famous Orange Pekoe tea, this engaging discussion offers a delightful glimpse into the people, traditions and beauty of Sri Lanka, and t...

The Girl with the Pen – in No-Man’s Land – Dr Julie Johnson S1 E 11 What began with a century-old photograph of a young girl holding a pen became a fascinating journey into the life of one of France’s most remarkable women. Join historian Dr Julie Johnson as she uncovers the extraordinary story of Emilienne Moreau-Evrard — war heroine, Resistance fighter and a woman whose courage spanned two world...

What does it mean to belong in Australia, and who gets recognised in our nations founding document? In this thought-provoking conversation, I speak with Kim Rubenstein, one of Australia's leading experts on citizenship, constitutional law and democracy. Professor Rubenstein has spent decades exploring the relationship between citizenship, identity, equality and the Australian Constitution. Togethe...

Settle back with a cuppa—whether that’s tea, coffee or Uruguay’s favourite drink, mate—and join me for a longer-than-usual podcast as we explore one of South America’s hidden gems. From lively conversations and unexpected encounters to stunning landscapes and unique local experiences, this episode is a collection of stories from my recent travels through Uruguay. Along the way, you’ll meet some of...

From the ocean floor to the most remote corners of the planet, Piet De Vries has spent a lifetime quietly capturing the stories that reveal how our world really works. Contact: roz@roztownsend.com Sponsors: Thanks to PrimeLife Partners **Disclaimer : This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not intended to replace professional advice

No Fixed Address (But Plenty of Guitars) – Martin Fairweather S1 E6 Martin Fairweather, has spent a lifetime weaving music, community, and creativity into everything he does. From arriving in Australia as a child in the 1950s to building a rich life in the Shoalhaven. Martin has worn many hats—teacher, musician, theatre performer, filmmaker, and mentor. With decades of experience teaching music, d...

Joining me today is Michael Ransom, Chairman of Probus South Pacific, which is celebrating 50 years of connecting retirees through friendship, learning and shared experiences. In a time when staying connected matters more than ever, Probus continues to play a vital role in helping people live well in later life.

This Mother's Day , we ask a simple question - who was our mother before she became ours? Glenda Naughten shares the remarkable story of her mother, Maisie in the book How Maisie Lived for 100 Years, 1906-2006: A Melbourne Girlhood. Contact: roz@roztownsend.com Sponsors: Thanks to PrimeLife Partners **Disclaimer : This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not int...

Harbours of Hope: Stories from Sea and Soul with Ulrike Ott Chanu Ulrike Ott has long been involved with the Caux Initiatives of Change — a global movement rooted in the belief that sustainable change in the world begins within each of us. From the historic Caux Palace in Switzerland to the busy port city of Le Havre in France, Ulrike’s work has focused on communication, ethical leadership and cre...

Beyond the Legend: Australia’s Forgotten Courage – Dr Tom Lewis S1 E2 History remembers heroes — but not always accurately. Today we’re separating legend from truth with Dr Tom Lewis, military historian, former Royal Australian Navy officer, and master storyteller uncovering Australia’s forgotten acts of courage and the myths we’ve come to believe about war. Contact: Roz@roztownsend.com Sponsors:...

The 10% Project – Susan Ryan S1 E3 What if the greatest potential in your life and work is the part no one is seeing? Susan Ryan is an author, strategist, and the creator of The 10% Project—a bold and thought-provoking movement challenging how we think about talent, leadership, and human potential. With a career that spans global startups through to established organisations, Susan has built a rep...

Who Shapes Our Future? Leadership and Sustainability with Professor Fern Wickson S2 E21 Join us for an inspiring conversation with Professor Fern Wickson, Australian sustainability academic and ocean leader based in Norway. From transforming global sustainability practices to pioneering transdisciplinary leadership programs, Fern shares her insights on protecting our oceans, shaping ethical enviro...