Big Little Small Talk

From a young child Cassie Carson loved cars and four wheel driving. But she recognised that it wasn’t a safe space for women. She decided to create a business that would teach women how to be outside in their cars and allow them the freedom of adventure. A lot of Cassie’s ideas revolve around empowering women to believe in themselves and to celebrate their healthy bodies with healthy minds.

John Elliott has lived a rich and varied life; from radio DJ to tourism officer. However John’s greatest love has always been photography. He’s photographed everyone from Chad Morgan to Dame Edna Everage and Slim Dusty (arm in arm). John describes his photography as “social documentary making”. His photographs are beautiful and evocative, his story compelling. His exhibition 'Almost A True Story'...

In a fair life, nobody should have to sit beside a hospital bed with their loved one on life support. Mel Lancaster has had to do it twice. In May 2009 Mel’s 16 year old son Henry was involved in a tragic car accident. Her loving husband Gary helped her grieve and remember Henry with grace. Fast forward 15 years and Mel is sitting beside Gary’s hospital bed. Mel says this of Henry and Gary “speak...

When 143 graves were vandalised in the Drayton and Toowoomba cemetery in August 2024, local columnist Greg Johnson wrote a call to arms. He expressed his sadness that the forebears of this region had been disrespected. Who could help? What could you offer in terms of reparation? A group of over 30 people came together and project “Headstone Healing Project” was underway. Today Megan chats with fou...

Jeremy Rhode own a place where “you can find books that are looking for you”. Jeremy’s Book Exchange is his life, work and passion. He went from being a dyslexic child to writing and publishing children’s books and owning a bookstore. His love of reading runs deep, but he won’t finish a book if it doesn’t grab him. Life is too short and there’s too many good books to read.

Reverend Yvonne McRostie’s signature tune is “I am Women”. She’s an independent woman who loves to preach. She brings her unique perspective to her ministry. The self confessed city girl has spent the last few years travelling into Queensland’s western country, caring for community. Yvonne’s journey is a fascinating one and makes for interesting listening.

She’s a Director, an Advisor, a Speaker and an honorary Toowoomba-ite. Kylie Sprott is all this and so much more. She is a professional woman who is going places….fast. But where Kylie really likes to go is a small village in Scotland where her grandmother hails from. Kylie revels in her Scottish history and shares her incredible life’s journey thus far.

Local novelist Ali Trimper is just about to launch her second book “Search for Elise”. Like her first novel, this is a murder mystery. Ali loves murder mysteries. She loves reading them and she loves writing them, she’s currently writing her third. From an idyllic childhood reading books to a career as a special education teacher, Ali has seen and done a lot. Ali shares he adventurous life with us...

Mitch Schoemaker got hooked on wrestling when he was a young boy. He had missed the heyday of 70’s and 80’s WWE but when he saw wrestling on TV in New York on a family holiday, he was hooked. Now he wrestles all over the world with the moniker One Shot Ryder. Megan describes herself as a wrestling tragic and so it was a very good thing that they got together to talk all things wrestling.

John Pugh’s family has been in Toowoomba a very long time. His Grandfather started Pugh’s Bakery. But like the demographics of the region, John has changed. He has grown into a man who believes that the world should a welcoming inclusive place, starting right here in his hometown. John is on Big Little Small Talk today to talk about Peace Day 2024 coming up in Toowoomba on Sunday September 29 at C...

Mark Scholtes describes his life and all the wonderful things he has done as though it’s been a fortune stroke of serendipity. From playing his fathers George Benson records as a boy to playing music WITH George Benson as an adult. From being a dyslexic kid to gaining his PHD, Mark seems in constant awe that he has been so lucky. A thoroughly enjoyable interview.

Don Watson always wanted to own a plane, but he couldn’t afford it. So Don’s work around was to build his own. Is it possible to gather “left over bits and pieces saved from the scrap heap” and turn them into an aircraft? Don has had lots of fun trying. A fascinating story of determination and motivation to achieve his childhood dreams.

Jenny Woodward grew up in Toowoomba and says her earliest memories are of “being cold and wearing scratchy, woollen clothing”. Jenny is the fifth of six girls and has forged a distinguished career in the media. Best known as the ABC’s long standing weather communicator, she is a much loved bookend to many Queenslander’s days. Jenny has many strings to her bow including a book and a one woman stage...

Frankie Frivolous describes herself in the following way “psychonaut, amateur artist, parent, pacifist, filled with existential angst”. Megan has a deep dive into each of these categories and finds a thoroughly engaging, if what complex, character.

In the wake of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, it was perfect timing for Megan to speak with Karen Smythe. Karen, amongst other things, runs a program called 'Speak Up For Sport'. Athletes, young and old, are trained in public speaking, media interviews, social media and how to retain their sponsorships. Karen grew up in Toowoomba but has taken her expertise to the world. Please note this in...

By her own admission, Abbey Craik was brought up in a funeral family. Her Uncle and Aunt owned a funeral parlour and many of Abbey’s worked there. When she was offered a job at a pet crematorium, she knew it was the job for her. Hear Abbey’s empathetic and often hilarious stories about her work.

This week we're back into the archives to bring you Megan's first interview when Big Little Small Talk launched on 102.7 FM in September 2021 with Shirley-Anne Gardiner who at the time was the Executive Director at Toowoomba Hospital. Today she is the CEO of Momentum Mental Health. Megan will return soon with brand new episodes of Big Little Small Talk, but in the meantime we hope you enjo...

This week on Big Little Small Talk, we bring you an interview with Merrilyn Strohfeldt recorded in November 2021 before her retirement in December that year wrapping up a four year tenure as CEO of Darling Downs & West Moreton PHN. Megan will return soon with brand new episodes of Big Little Small Talk, but in the meantime we hope you enjoy this interview from our archives.

When Katrina Christensen left school she studied at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. Today she works as a train driver. There have been plenty of adventures and career changes along the way for Katrina, all told with humour and insight.

Children’s illustrator Lucia Masciullo comes from an adventuring family. Her grandmother climbed the Italian alps in the 1920’s. When Lucia read the manuscript for “Eat my Dust”, she knew she wanted to illustrate it. It tells the story of brave hearts Jean Robertson and Kathleen Howell who raced, in 1928 across Australia in their Lancia Lambda. Their competitors were all men. A charming and deligh...

Bishop Cameron Venables grew up in Wales. As a young man, he traveled to PNG to do youth work. He later went to Brisbane to study at Theological College. Kate Venables’ father is an English Anglican Minister who took his young family to PNG to do missionary work. The family then moved to Brisbane. Hear Kate and Cam’s incredible story of how they met at bible college. Hear how similar their lives h...

When popular rugby coach Elisha Elisaia was told he wouldn’t walk again, the faces of all the girls and boys he had coached over the years floated in front of him. He heard the words “I need you to give me more”. He felt he had asked them to give him more and now it was time for him to dig deep and give more. Elisha shows the true strength of his character in this beautiful interview.

Matt Hansson does not take “no” for an answer. He’s Australia’s next Pickleball Olympian, in the abled or disabled category. Matt made the agonising decision to have his left leg amputated after a motorcycle accident and says “me nearly dying and going through such a traumatic accident has made my life brilliant”. Matt’s interview is truly inspirational.

Petria Cumner is going places - fast! She is the founder of Stirling and Truffles a company that makes “beautiful sustainable lifestyle accessories”. For her trouble she has been nominated for the worldwide “Women Changing the World Awards” to be held in London in May. This is an incredible local story that has a lot more to be told in the future.

April is Parkinson’s Awareness month. Megan visited the Toowoomba Parkinson’s Support Group for the third year to hear how they are travelling. She had the privilege of talking to two people who bring nothing but joy to the local group. Sally Andrew takes dance classes and Melissa Forbes instructs the Park ‘n’ Song Choir. Carol Chalmers brings us up to speed with Joe’s progress.