Talk of the Town by Echo News

Talk of the Town is back - and we're coming in with a big one. After nearly a year away, host Von Hosking returns with a special edition episode that the Hills District community has been asking for. The City of Moreton Bay has released draft precinct planning proposals for both Arana Hills and Ferny Hills - and the scale of what's being proposed has caught many residents completely off guard. We'...

In this episode of Talk of the Town , Von sits down with Vanessa Jones , the lead Event Coordinator for The Hills Carnivale , to go behind the scenes of one of Moreton Bay’s most beloved community events. Vanessa shares how the team brings the event to life each year - from logistics and planning to programming and community involvement. Listeners get the inside scoop on what to expect at this yea...

In this special ANZAC Day episode of Talk of the Town , our host, Von Hosking, returns from maternity leave with an inspiring and heartfelt conversation with John Hardgrave — veteran, community volunteer, and 2022 Dickson Citizen of the Year. John served for 17 years in the Australian Defence Force, including deployments to Afghanistan, Timor Leste, and the Solomon Islands. Today, he continues his...

In this special season finale of Talk of the Town , we sit down with Katie McLean, editor and owner of Echo News , to reflect on an incredible year for the podcast and the community. Katie shares highlights from season one, discusses the impact of Talk of the Town on the local area, and gives us an exclusive sneak peek at her exciting new venture—a running magazine aimed at Moreton Bay’s active co...

In this episode of Talk of the Town , we sit down with Geoff Russell, the President of the Trail Running Association of Queensland (TRAQ), to delve into the vibrant world of trail running in Brisbane and Beyond. With decades of growth behind it, TRAQ has become a vital organisation for fostering a safe, inclusive, and thriving trail running community across the state. Geoff takes us through the mi...

Craft. Community. Karma. 🌟 Get Ready for Part Two with Shaun Reeves of Hip Hops Brewers! 🎙️ In last week's episode (EP 34) of Talk of the Town , Von sat down with Shaun Reeves, Founder and Director of Hip Hops Brewers in Brendale. Shaun shared his inspiring journey from business advisor to brewery owner, offering insight into his transition into the world of craft beer and the challenges and succ...

Craft. Community. Karma. In this episode of Talk of the Town , Von sits down with Shaun Reeves, Founder and Director of Hip Hops Brewers in Brendale. Shaun shares his inspiring journey from business advisor to brewery owner, offering insight into his transition into the world of craft beer and the challenges and success he faced along the way. We also dive into an important conversation about men’...

In this episode of Talk of the Town , we explore the growing world of CBD treatment for pain management with two local experts: Blaine Woods , pharmacist at Terrywhite Chemmart Keperra Compounding Pharmacy and Dr. Rohan Rao MBBS, MRCGP, FRACGP, General Practitioner at Keperra Medical Centre, who specializes in medicinal cannabis. Together, they share their insights on how CBD is transforming the w...

In this special episode of Talk of the Town , we’re stepping away from our usual local news and community stories to dive into a topic that’s crucial for how we stay informed: the future of local news itself. We’re joined by Claire Stuchbery , Executive Director of the Local and Independent News Association (LINA) , to explore how independent and hyperlocal news publishers are stepping up to fill...

In this special Spring Refresh episode, we’re joined by Amber Petterson , a FITME Stylist with INTIMO, who shares expert advice on finding the perfect bra fit and refreshing your lingerie wardrobe for the new season. With October marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month , Amber also highlights the importance of proper bra fitting for breast health and offers practical tips for maintaining confidence...

In this heartfelt episode, Von sits down with Hannah, the courageous mother of Ruby, a vibrant six-year-old whose life was tragically cut short by 'diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma' (DIPG). DIPG is a rare and devastating form of cancer, primarily diagnosed in kids, there are no treatments, no cure, and median survival is less than 1 year. Hannah shares the deeply personal story of Ruby’s diagnosis...

In this episode of Talk of the Town , Steve and Von sit down with Tristan Kolio, a dedicated State Emergency Service (SES) volunteer and talented filmmaker from Arana Hills. Tristan shares his experiences responding to major floods, what motivates him to give back to the community, and his passion for helping others during tough times. He also dives into his creative journey in filmmaking, leading...

In this episode of Talk of the Town , we sit down with local Everton Park resident Chris Healy, who took on a marathon like no other. Inspired by adventurer Beau Miles , Chris ran one mile every hour for 24 hours—while spending his downtime decluttering his home and gathering items to donate to the Salvos store in Mitchelton. Tune in as we discuss how Chris combined fitness, decluttering and commu...

In this episode of Talk of the Town , we sit down with Susanne Engelhard, co-founder of the Moreton Bay Farm Trail. Susanne shares the inspiring story behind this grassroots initiative that connects the community with local farmers dedicated to sustainable and regenerative practices. Discover what makes the Moreton Bay Farm Trail a unique experience, from exclusive access to diverse farms and enga...

In this episode of "Talk of the Town," we catch up with Australian Army Officer, Major Ed Orszulak, from Upper Kedron, who is currently at the halfway point of his incredible 2,720-kilometer trek from Brisbane to Melbourne. Ed is on this monumental journey to raise funds for Camp Quality, a charity that supports children facing cancer. He shares his experiences so far, the challenges he's encounte...

In this episode of Talk of the Town , we sit down with Councillor Cath Tonks to explore the exciting developments and community-focused initiatives happening in Division 9. Since her election in 2020, Cath has been dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents through a range of projects and improvements. Join us as we delve into Cath’s efforts to promote environmental sustainability, i...

In this episode, we sit down with Catherine Andrews, the founder of Olearia Town Planning, to explore the crucial role town planning plays in shaping our communities in the northern suburbs of Brisbane, and beyond. Catherine shares her deep expertise in the field, from working in local and state government to starting her own firm, offering practical advice on everything from subdividing propertie...

In this episode of Talk of the Town, we sit down with Chris Bowen, the founder of Samford Live and a seasoned music producer with a rich background in the industry. We explore Chris's impressive career, from his roles at Music Australia and Arts Queensland to his work with iconic Brisbane venues like the Powerhouse and the Judith Wright Arts Centre. Chris shares the inspiration behind creating Sam...

In this week's episode, Steve and Von sit down with Mathew Kilkelly - President of Samford Rangers Football Club, local dad, football fanatic and coach who plays a pivotal role in the local community.  Mathew has been in and around football for most of his life, including being a member of Samford Rangers FC since 2011 and is a lifelong Liverpool supporter. He currently plays for the Rangers...

In this episode of Talk of the Town , we dive deep into the world of travel to bring you a wealth of inspiration and practical advice for planning your next adventure. Proudly sponsored by local Brisbane business, Sonia Jones Travel, a premium boutique travel agency known for exceptional customer service and tailor-made travel experiences, this episode is designed to ignite your wanderlust and pro...

In this episode, we sit down with Jock Beveridge, CEO of Guide Dogs Queensland. We discuss the impactful work the organisation does to support individuals with low vision or blindness. We explore the rich history and mission of Guide Dogs Queensland, delving into key milestones such as the organization's 60-year anniversary and the evolution of its services. Jock emphasizes the importance of indep...

In this episode of "Talk of the Town," we sit down with Andy Almond, a key committee member of the Moreton Bay Road Runners and the volunteer coordinator for the Jetty 2 Jetty Half Marathon & Fun Run. Andy shares his journey with the running club, the vital role he plays in organizing one of Queensland's most beloved running events, and the incredible community spirit that drives it. We dive i...

In this week’s episode, Von and Steve sit down with Mindy Robinson, the dynamic and passionate organizer behind the Eatons Hill Bike Bus, a community initiative that helps children safely ride their bikes to school. Operating on two mornings a week, the Eatons Hill Bike Bus follows a set route with three designated stops and includes fun music along the way to keep the kids engaged.  Min...

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Nick Steiner, the visionary Founder and CEO of the Mini Farm Project. Nick shares the inspiring story behind the creation of the Mini Farm Project and its mission to combat food insecurity by building a network of charity farms across Queensland and Australia. We dive deep into the operations of the Samford Farm Precinct, the flagship farm nestled in Brisba...

In this episode, we sit down with Mel Redsell, the inspiring founder of A Brave Life, a North Brisbane-based charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable mothers and their newborns. Mel shares her deeply personal journey from being a teenage mother in Townsville to becoming a registered nurse and midwife. She talks about the challenges she faced, including overcoming domestic violence and societal s...