Kiama Community Radio's Podcast

Thinking about retirement living — or helping a parent, relative or friend explore their options? Gabriela Cabral chats with Laura Hooper, the Community Manager at Cedar on Collins; a valued sponsor of KCR.  Cedar on Collins has an information session coming up in September, with useful information for anyone considering retirement living and planning for the next chapter. This is part of Gabi&apo...

Presenters Karen and Neil discuss The Life of Pi, Moby Dick and other nautical themed novels, as well as riding the zeitgeist as they trawl through some of the recent happenings in the world of books.   KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: admin@kcr.org.au

Kiama LGA goes to the polls again next weekend to fill the recently vacated 9th place on the Kiama Municipal Council, following the departure of Mike Cains.  There are 2 candidates, Stan Jarrett and Michael Bowden.  In this interview  Bernie Hems asks candidate Stan Jarrett a series of questions posed by locals on the streets of Kiama.  Recorded 14.8.26 KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the...

Kiama LGA goes to the polls again next weekend to fill the recently vacated 9th place on the Kiama Municipal Council, following the departure of Mike Cains.  There are 2 candidates, Stan Jarrett and Michael Bowden.  In this interview  Bernie Hems asks candidate Michael Bowden a series of questions posed by locals on the streets of Kiama.  Recorded 14.8.26 KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via t...

This week's guest, Illawarra writer Kathleen Bleakley, recently released her seventh publication, Toupie, a compilation of selected poetry and prose. Find out more when Diane Ellison and Karen Lateo quiz this prolific South Coast Writers Centre member.  KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: admin@kcr.org.au

Embark on an odyssey, as hosts Dean Koorey and Neil Reilly journey through their favourite book-to-screen adaptations. As our resident flash fiction writers/competitors, Dean and Neil also share the latest in this exciting micro genre. KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: admin@kcr.org.au

Presenters Campbell McConachie and Diane Ellison confront a shameful episode of Australian history: our forgotten slave trade, as revealed by local author Ryan Butta.  In an extensive interview, the acclaimed non-fiction writer discusses his latest work, Blackbirding . Ryan examines the deliberate “engineered forgetting” that has wiped decades of exploitation of Pacific Island people from the nati...

Gabi talks to Alice Peel from Grow Your Mind , an online social and emotional wellbeing program for primary schools run by experienced educators.  This is part of Gabriela Cabral's weekly program Living Local 9am Wednesdays on KCR.  Recorded 5.8.26 KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: admin@kcr.org.au

Gabi talks to Tim Donlea from Artemas Aged Care Services .  Artemas is not an Aged Care provider but specialises in guiding seniors and their families through the complexities of the Aged Care system, from home care to government assistance, Centrelink assessments and residential options.  Recorded 5.8.26 The Shop Around the Corner is a regular segment supporting local businesses and is part of  G...

Gabi talks to Gülçin Topel from Saltwater Cafe , Kiama who recently won Outstanding Business Leader at the  2026 Kiama Business Awards. In addition to  her heavy work schedule at Saltwater, Gülçin finds time for generous outreach projects to foster community connections.  This interview was recorded as part of The Shop Around the Corner which supports local businesses in the Kiama LGA and part of...

Our guest Linda Godfrey is a poet, editor, literary judge, teacher, and former Program Manager of The Wollongong Writers Festival. Linda discusses, and shares, her prose poetry - and other things literary - with presenters Karen and Neil.  KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: admin@kcr.org.au

One for the trivia buffs: Play along as Diane and Deano quiz each other (and discuss) the best opening and ending lines in literature.  KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: admin@kcr.org.au

This week, Jane, Karen and Neil discuss the resurgence of interest in gothic novels after the release of the new Wuthering Heights movie adaptation. Neil shares some of his experiences with writing competitions. KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: admin@kcr.org.au

Gabi talks to Tamena Yarak, Regional Manager of Mackillop Family Services , an organisation that provides foster care, family support, alternative education and disability services in NSW.  Recorded 29th July 2026.  This is part of Gabi's weekly program Living Local on KCR at 9am on Wednesdays.  KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: admin@kcr.org....

Grow and Sow hosts Jane Parbury and Joe Carter talk to former Australian journalist Perrie Croshaw who has been caretaker of 2 major gardens in her time:  The Garden of Eden in Norfolk, England, which had been a cider orchard and pleasure garden between the World Wars, but had fallen into much disrepair, and a 16ha property on Woodhill Mountain, near Berry where she lived with her 2 sons in the 19...

Gabriela talks to Dr. Rachel Gregory Wilson and  Kim Thomason, Warden at Kiama Anglican Church, about a seminar held recently at Kiama Anglican Church designed for parents and carers of young people living with neurodiversity and ADHD. They'll discuss the challenges families face, the support available and  the church's role in supporting the local community. Recorded 22nd July 2026 This...

What makes the Kiama, Gerringong and Berry region one of Australia's most sought-after places to live? Bernie Hems chats with Craig and Kerrie Higbid, a husband-and-wife team with more than 50 years of combined real estate experience.  Craig and Kerrie's  business  South Coast Prestige Properties has now morphed into Christie's International Real Estate South Coast .  Recorded 15th...

Peter Sullivan talks to Claire Hollander, the trumpet playing member of the five piece band Bonnie Kay and the Sweet Patooties , about their new album Open Doors. This interview was recorded on KCR Breakfast , Monday to Friday 7-9am and Peter Sullivan is in the hot seat on Wednesday mornings.  KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: admin@kcr.org.au

Gabriela Cabral talks to artist, photographer and jeweller Donna from The Sea and Me who, at the time, was exhibiting at the Old Fire Station next door to KCR.  This was recorded as part of Gabi's regular program Living Local ; 9am Wednesday mornings on KCR. Recorded 1.7.26 KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: admin@kcr.org.au

A very special guest, local author Helen Laidlaw talks to Di and Neil about her recent book about our local area: On Wadi Wadi Country – From the Mountains to the Sea . [Post-show update: Helen's book is available via all the major online retailers.] KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: admin@kcr.org.au

From Edgar Allan Poe, to Donna Tartt, via Harry Potter and the ravens of Westeros, Karen and Di explore the significant role of birds in fiction. Karen brings the latest news from the literacy front, and our presenters review the Geraldine Brooks novel, Horse. KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: admin@kcr.org.au

From Philip K Dick to George RR Martin and Mick Herron - Karen and Neil discuss recent TV and Movie adaptations that take you back to the original book. Neil brings us his favourite books and about music and musicians.   KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: admin@kcr.org.au

Jane and Campbell critique the latest 'best ever books' list from Goodreads.  What is a 'Reading Retreat'?  Campbell brings the tea after going on assignment to experience one for himself.  KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: admin@kcr.org.au

Karen delivers pop culture news, including the latest on Sean Micallef’s first novel ' De'Ath Takes a Holiday' .  On the eve of Anzac Day, Neil contrasts Peter Fitzsimmons with Les Carlyon, after a discussion about the great anti-war novel, ' Catch-22' . KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: admin@kcr.org.au

Neil and Campbell talk about the events they are most looking forward to at the upcoming Sydney Writers' Festival. Then they range widely over the well-picked topic of genre fiction, and talk about some of their favourite cross- or multi-genre books. KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: admin@kcr.org.au