Passion and Perspective Podcast

Jarrah is a local musician who strives to share stories of empathy and compassion through powerful lyrics and intricate acoustic guitar playing. A loving and alternative upbringing in Emu Plains stimulated a passion for creativity and music. Jarrah has a strong respect for music and its history, but it is not the bright lights and fame that he longs for. It is the ability to inspire through meanin...

Brenna Tarrant first had the urge to play football at the age of 9, and it was 4 years later that she started playing competitive Aussie Rules for the local Emu Plains club. With the rise of the AFLW, Brenna’s passion for the sport and dream to shape a professional career from it, has turned into reality. Last year, waiting in her school library during the AFLW Draft, there was the fear of not kno...

Growing up with a love for sports and the outdoors, it was a trip to the local climbing gym at the age of 12 that sparked Tom O’Halloran’s fascination and imagination into the world of rock climbing. The challenge of rock climbing, both physical and mental, is what has driven Tom’s love of this extreme outdoor sport. “You’re against yourself and an inanimate object or obstacle when you’re climbing...

Growing up in Wagga Wagga, exploration and adventure formed a large part of Jodie McLeod’s upbringing. This freedom stimulated a sense of creativity, which has helped her journey as a writer and, more recently, a passion for ultra-trail marathon running. Jodie’s early love for the written word took her to university, where she completed an Honours degree in creative writing. Post-university, an op...

Josh Lalor is a professional cricketer who has represented New South Wales, various Big Bash League clubs and, more recently, relished a stint playing in the Caribbean Premier League. The past decade has been a dynamic and fast-moving experience, juggling a cricket career, work career and a young family. Having twice been de-listed from the New South Wales contract list, Josh has had to maintain r...

Whilst always having a love for the written word, it was an inspiring encounter at high school where Jack Hunter knew there was an audience for his writing. The support and backing of teachers, friends and family have helped Jack follow and develop his passion. Over the past decade, Jack has hit many milestones and accomplishments. A local author from the Blue Mountains, Jack has produced four boo...

As an elite athlete Brendan Davies has travelled the world, competing with some of the best runners on the globe. It wasn’t until his late twenties that Brendan started competitive running. With a post-graduate qualification in Special Education and a career as a teacher, it took time, significant commitment and strong race results before the opportunities as an elite athlete opened for him. The s...

Aidan Williams has seen some of the most picturesque parts of the world. As an adventure photographer, with a passion for the outdoors and a determination to capture amazing moments, Aidan has followed some of the world’s leading highliners on their death-defying journeys. Growing up in the Blue Mountains, the epicentre of outdoor adventure in Sydney, Aidan uncovered the power of photography and i...

Katie Lees has been involved in performing arts since her childhood. Growing up in the Blue Mountains, drama and theatre played a big part in her life and has taken her around the world, on memorable and moving adventures. Katie’s experiences on stage have seen her visit India, United Kingdom, Italy, areas of eastern Europe and many more, largely driven by the opportunity to impart her passion and...

Jazz Hourigan is a local musician, with a love for performance and a love of people. Jazz has had a whirlwind career - he has chased his passion, always striving for greatness and not sitting and waiting for things to happen. He has overcome many challenges and faced difficult realizations in life. Throughout, the support of friends and family and a strong perspective has helped him through a...