Active and Effective

On our last episode of Active and Effective we meet Luca and Luca. Obviously and deeply in love with the landscapes of their homes and well educated around the critical need to care for them, both are advocating for place from forest to sea in their own unique authentic ways. In uncertain times there is so much hope in the local grassroots action, especially from the young emerging leaders. Togeth...

In this episode of Active and Effective I talk with Juliet about the intertwined environmental and housing crisis. “Zombies” are attacking coastal communities and housing is unaffordable but young people of the coast are getting creative and collaborative in response. We chat Crunchtime, a youth org from the far South Coast and how I met Juliet and Jacob as they toured screenings of the Crunchtime...

In this weeks episode, I talk with local photographer, teacher and adventurer Alex Lees about the stories she tells with her images of the local area. In her powerful images Alex has both captured and served as witness to the last few tumultuous years around the Shoalhaven. Her images have evoked the tragedy wrought by climate change, but have also reminded us of of the beauty we find in the livin...

In this episode of Active and Effective I talk to Takesa Frank, a proud Aboriginal woman raised in the forests of Yuin Country. In the midst of complete political failure and extinction, the educated and committed environmentalists like Takesa are increasingly left with little option but taking radical action for their place. Find out why Takesa has taken to the trees amongst all her other effecti...

In this episode of Active and Effective I speak to extraordinary landscape artist and fellow forest activist Taz Whitkamp. Taz spends her time bushwalking in forests, snow boarding and “invoking the uniqueness” of our precious Australian landscapes in her beautiful artworks. I was struck by the creative response of Taz painting live at Weaselstock music festival - rwhere she was raising funds and...

On this episode of Active and Effective I dive deep with artist, scientist, and adventurer Taia. We hear about the dual purpose that fuels Taias incredible life, led with salt in hair, hands in soil and bringing curiosity, community, heart, thought and humanity to everything she does, including front line activism, teaching, regenerative food growing and sharing and her art. Hear about her recent...

In this episode I speak to Kim Walsh, a long time five villages resident who has brought people together in positive ways through her much loved events and markets. Kim has created wonderful spaces for connection in the Five Villages, and has had a huge hand in building the community solidarity we have when it comes to threats to our wonderful villages. There are many ways to be Active and Effecti...

In this episode, I chat with Kaye Gartner, a retired councillor and climate activist whose poise under pressure and leadership have inspired me for many years. I have witnessed Kaye stand up in rage but respond in a considered and powerful way in local government, which at the time was a toxic “gladiator arena”. A voice for the natural world with a life dedicated to people care as an acupuncturist...

In this episode, I sit down with Tanya Excell for a chat. An author and personality of the Red Head villages who created a beautiful gift of connection for her community with her book, 'Birds of the Red Head Villages'. After decades of activism and rising despair Tanya turned her attention to doing something to give back to her community. She wanted to find a way for people to connect more with th...

In this episode, I talk with ecofeminist Dr Larraine Larri. Larri is a lifelong activist, whose lived experience culminated in her PhD exploring what makes people identifying as activists and how to inspire that process of becoming someone who wants to create change. Larri researched the Knitting Nanna's movement, and reveals the origin, journey and success of the Nanna's and used this evidence to...

In this episode I talk to Patti and Jenny, two courageous women who embarked on a mission of epic proportions. They wanted to create a book that recorded the unique history and people of a place known to locals as the Five Villages. This publication is snapshot of life on the South coast for so many, but it also recorded something truly powerful about what happens when communities band together to...

In our very first episode of Active and Effective, I interview June Frew, a woman who has dedicated decades to the care and conservation of wildlife on the South Coast. June shares the highs and the heartbreak of rescuing wildlife, and the many battles she has fought with her husband Lex in the face of rampant development and deforestation on the southeast coast of Australia. We talked about many...