voicesofwomen's podcast

Read by actor Hasitha Adhikariarachchi and recorded for Embellishment at KXT Broadway. Written by Suzi Mezei, a Sri Lankan born Australian writer who lives on lands traditionally owned by the people of the Kulin Nations. Suzi's work is published in Australia and overseas in journals and anthologies and she is the recipient of writing prizes.

"Me and my dad used to go down the beach before the sun rose. It was still dark. We'd walk down and start a fire." Artist and proud Gumbaynggirr woman Yaara Straede tells a story of two important people in her family. Read by Lucy Heffernan, Actor in Residence Storytelling Workshop Program, in collaboration with Shopfront Arts Coop. Music by Elizabeth Jigalin, Composer in Residence. Recorded at Ma...

"I look out the window and see the light coming in. It gives me strength and hope - of a new day." Written by Gumbaynggirr Elder Penny Stadhams. Read by Di Bird. Music by Elizabeth Jigalin, Composer in Residence. Recorded at Macksville CWA in a workshop series supported by Shoretrack, Jaanymili Bawrungga, Multicultural NSW and Holiday Break Program Office of Regional Youth in partnership with Crea...

"These days people don't know how to enjoy themselves!" Written by Gumbaynggirr Elder Rebecca Stadhams. Read by Lucy Heffernan, Actor in Residence Storytelling Workshop Program, in collaboration with Shopfront Arts Coop. Recorded at Macksville CWA in a workshop series supported by Shoretrack, Jaanymili Bawrungga, Multicultural NSW and Holiday Break Program Office of Regional Youth in partnership w...

A precious family moment comes with a cup of tea and Ngarlaa, sea turtle in Gumbaynggirr language. Written by Gumbaynggirr Elder Michele Donovan and read by Di Bird. Music by Elizabeth Jigalin, Composer in Residence. Recorded at Macksville CWA in a workshop series supported by Shoretrack, Jaanymili Bawrungga, Multicultural NSW and Holiday Break Program Office of Regional Youth in partnership with...

When Mum goes out, the kids are in charge! Written by Monica Bognar, with assistance from Blue Bird Disability Support Services. Read by Lucy Heffernan, Actor in Residence Storytelling Workshop Program, in collaboration with Shopfront Arts Coop. Music by Elizabeth Jigalin, Composer in Residence. Recorded at Macksville CWA in a workshop series supported by Shoretrack, Jaanymili Bawrungga, Multicult...

"The only way to be taken seriously is to be fine about it." Written by Raquel Rebolledo and read by Lucy Heffernan, Actor in Residence Storytelling Workshop Program, in collaboration with Shopfront Arts Coop. Recorded at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery in a workshop supported by Multicultural NSW Compact program.

"She's not going to turn up. Where will I wait? Don't cry! But I know I'm going to!" Wandiwandandian Wodi Wodi Jerrinja Elder Sharlene Cruickshank shares the joy of reconnecting with family. Recorded at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery in a workshop supported by Multicultural NSW Compact program.

"Over the wall, under the lighthouse, was just mine and Dad's. 'Baaliba waraapiya' he called it, 'our harbour'." Written and read by Nicole Smede, a multi-disciplinary artist of Worimi and European descent and Writer in Residence, Shoalhaven Storytelling Workshop. Recorded at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery in a workshop supported by Multicultural NSW Compact program.

Out on an incredible date, Emmy is felled by a comment shouted from a passing car. Written and read by Emily O'Brien. Recorded at Wagga Wagga Gallery in a workshop supported by Multicultural NSW Compact program.

Trevor, Travis or Troy? A job interview plunges Sally into a conundrum. Written and read by Sally Jackson. Recorded at Wagga Wagga Gallery in a workshop supported by Multicultural NSW Compact program.

A tiny lemon myrtle seedling brings Wendy back to earth. Written and read by Wendy Chilton. Recorded at Wagga Wagga Gallery in a workshop supported by Multicultural NSW Compact program.

What happens when the school holidays have started and you can't face your laptop? Written by Saasha McMillan and read by Tash Shimpf. Recorded at Wagga Wagga Gallery in a workshop supported by Multicultural NSW Compact program.

What happens when the school holidays have started and you can't face your laptop? Written and read by Saasha McMillan. Recorded at Wagga Wagga Gallery in a workshop supported by Multicultural NSW Compact program.

What happens when a nurse steals a little pearl box on the bedside of her elderly patient? Kalina Davis reads her interpretation. Created as part of the Holiday Break program supported by the Office for Regional Youth in partnership with Create NSW.  

What happens when a nurse steals a little pearl box on the bedside of her elderly patient? Vicki Bedingfield reads her interpretation. Created as part of the Holiday Break program supported by the Office for Regional Youth in partnership with Create NSW.  

Overwhelmed with work and too busy to stop, a young woman watches a rising river in flood.  Kalina Davis is an emerging First Nations writer and performer, based in Dubbo. She has appeared in several short films, including 5 Days, and was Artist in Residence for the Voices of Women Amplify program in 2022.  Kalina's interest in acting began at a young age, participating in school plays and musical...

A young woman finds an old book in a second-hand shop, which changes its story when she holds it in her hand. What destiny will it reveal for her? Kalina Davis is an emerging First Nations writer and performer, based in Dubbo. She has appeared in several short films, including 5 Days, and was Artist in Residence for the Voices of Women Amplify program in 2022.  Kalina's interest in acting began at...

Ghosted by her ex, and having to move out, a young woman finds the tiara from her childhood and decides to run her own Kingdom. Georgie Saunders is an emerging Dubbo-based actor and performer. She completed her HSC at St Johns College Dubbo and performs at Studio 138 Not A Dress Rehearsal. She excels in collaborative creative projects and performed in Amplify Voices of Women in 2022. Created as pa...

Gayle Kennedy is an award-winning writer, speaker and presenter and proud member of the Wongaiibon Clan of the Ngiyaampaa speaking Nation of south-west NSW. This  poem is her response to an exhibition of Carved Trees at the State Library of NSW. It is read by, her sister, Victoria Kennedy, also a proud member of the Wongaiibon Clan of the Ngiyaampaa speaking Nation of south-west NSW, an actor and...

Nea tells the story of her mother Esme, who learnt about nursing on the job in the bush hospital at Baradine.

Wart (aka Jen Waterhouse) plays with text like it's paint. She has lived as an artist working in the visual and performing arts in Sydney since 1980. She has consistently exhibited and worked as an illustrator, designer, cartoonist, painter and performer.

A climate change 'survivor' shelters in an archaic coal shaft with five other women, one in the process of giving birth. 'The light flickers and fades and we feel shame—for all we didn't do when we still had time.' 

Jess finds herself speaking of crimes and misdemeanours from a much earlier age, those belonging to a six, ten, twelve-year-old. Those, evidently, belonging to her.

This stolen generations story was written by Kerry Reed-Gilbert who sadly passed in 2019. Kerry was an author, poet, activist, Elder, Wiradjuri warrior and inaugural chairperson of the First Nations Australia Writers Network (FNAWN). The story was published by Us Mob Writing. It is read by Italian Barkindji artist and poet Teena McCarthy, who also performed it live at Voices of Women in 2019.