Caring Connected Communities: Grassroots Conversations in the Mid Murray

In this episode, Leah is joined by Geoff, Sarah, and their children, Craig and Chelsea. Together, they share honest and courageous reflections on domestic and family violence, mental health, and the long-lasting impact of trauma. Geoff speaks openly about growing up with violence, the challenges he faced as a young person, and his determination to break the cycle. Sarah shares her own lived experi...

Hosts Mandy and Cathie introduce guest Niya Lee, a local yoga instructor whose practice was born out of personal hardship. Niya shares how yoga helped her through a tumultuous marriage breakup and subsequent legal battles, leading her to advocate for mental health and community well-being through yoga. The conversation explores the benefits of yoga, its applicability to various groups including me...

In this episode, Mandy, Helen, Joe, and Cathie from the Mid Murray community discuss their writing journeys, emphasising the shared experiences of living in the Mid Murray region. The conversation covers their diverse writing styles, from poetry to fiction and historical accounts, and delves into the creation of the Scriveners Review, a community journal. They discuss the personal nature of writin...

In this episode, Mike and Bill share what keeps them volunteering, what the Mannum Men’s Shed means to the town, and why connection matters more than ever. Both men arrived in different ways, but landed in the same place: helping out because it feels right, fills the days with purpose, and quietly holds the community together. They talk about the floods, the long history along the river, the odd j...

A warm and honest conversation with Simone and Tahleah about living with ADHD, late diagnosis, school experiences, masking, medication, family dynamics, and the relief that comes with finally understanding your own brain. They explore the differences between internalised and externalised symptoms, why so many girls are overlooked, and how understanding ADHD reshapes relationships, self-compassion,...

In this episode, Leah chats with Mandy about the joys and mental health benefits of gardening in the Mid-Murray. From humble beginnings with pot plants to thriving native gardens, veggie patches, and even chickens, Mandy shares how cultivating her garden has not only brought beauty and sustainability to her life but also strengthened her community connections. The conversation also explores ShareW...

In this episode, the team sits down with Tim Rogers — former professional ballet dancer, educator, drum maker, and all-round chameleon. Tim shares his journey from Adelaide to the Australian Ballet, his move to WA, his shift into education and community arts, and how he eventually landed in the Mid Murray. The conversation explores identity, resilience, reinvention, and the surprising threads that...

In this first episode of the Caring Connected Communities podcast, the team behind the Mid Murray Suicide Prevention Network introduces themselves and the purpose of the podcast: reducing stigma, sharing lived experience, and strengthening community connection across the region. They explore personal stories, the impacts of recent crises, rural mental-health challenges, survivor guilt, and the imp...