WHAT I'VE LEARNT

Passionate, witty, vulnerable, intelligent, and honest – critics describing the work of bestselling author Elliot Perlman. A born storyteller I recall many school lunchtimes and weekends - Ell writing, creating scripts, novels, and songs. As one of the only other writers I knew, I was inspired. It was while practicing law in 1994 that he won The Age short story competition for ‘The Reasons I Won’t...

Oscar and BAFTA-nominated film “The Father” in cinemas this month was of course brought to you by the doyenne of Australian Cinema, Natalie Miller. With a keen eye for the latest greatest films, film distributor (Sharmill Films) and part-owner of the iconic Carlton Cinema Nova, Cinematic queen Natalie Miller transformed Melbourne and Australia into a film hub. Sourcing the best international and N...

As we celebrate International Women’s Day and an extraordinary Newsweek with gender and alleged sexual assault issues front and center, I’m thrilled to feature Lawyer, trailblazer, women's rights advocate, and philanthropist Eve Mahlab AO, a successful businesswoman who has worked to improve the lives of women in Australia for decades. A member of the Co-ordinating Committee of the Women&apos...

With some twenty years experience in retail and finance, David Briskin is hailed for kick-starting mid-luxe accessories brand Mimco as Managing Director and shareholder in 1999, and for his work with Sass & Bide as CEO from 2008, turning the brand around before it was sold off to Myer in a multi - million dollar deal in 2014. In February 2014, Briskin became the director of menswear retailer M...

It’s hard to imagine not being able to breathe, suffocating slowly because your Doctor or clinic has actually run out of oxygen! That’s the horrific reality facing many thousands of children and adults dying from Pneumonia.  Pneumonia is the single largest killer of children worldwide and with the outbreak of COVID-19, the access to oxygen crisis has worsened.  Every 30 seconds a child dies from p...

Award-winning author Jane Harper taps into the insatiable desire for authentic crime thrillers with “The Dry” her best-selling novel that has put her firmly on the international stage with more than a million copies sold globally so far! The story features a desperate tale of murder and mystery set against the arid outback and drought-stricken Australian landscape.  In the book, the tragic tale of...

Paul Grabowsky is a pianist, composer, arranger, conductor – and is one of Australia’s most distinguished artists.  His recent collaboration with the likes of Paul Kelly and Archie Roach showcases Paul’s versatility and both the albums brim with musical gems about love, heartbreak, and tenderness -  a must listen.  During the late 70's he became prominent in the music scene in Melbourne, work...

A diminutive figure arrives clicking her heels on my parquetry floor, furtive and fresh from shooting on the set of her award winning television series Wentworth, Sigrid Thornton is striking -  Sky high cheekbones big emerald eyes and a perfect pout.  When she speaks she is clear crisp sartorial with a theatrical lilt.  Sharp and witty as she reflects on the challenges of work and motherhood and s...

Due to demand and interest in this very special interview, we have re released it for those that missed it as it was our first episode.  Enjoy -  Warm and relaxed I loved interviewing Deb at home.  As she sunk into my white velvet couch surrounded by black and white floral silk cushions, she was so natural and unpretentious.  We nibbled on ribbon sandwiches sipped herbal tea and reflected on so mu...

Caroline Burkie, head of the UK and EU World Literacy Foundation - a global organisation.  Based in 7 countries including Australia, that focuses on lifting people out of poverty through literacy. As an author, publisher, and book lover, I’m excited to share that I’ve joined forces with the World Literacy Foundation to promote awareness, and foster education both here and overseas. I’ll be bringin...

For 30 years Paul Bangay has fulfilled his clients’ aspirations for gardens that are expressive of the timeless elegance, and classic simplicity for which he is internationally renowned. Widely regarded as the foremost garden designer in Australia today, Bangay’s clients include a roster of the most prominent figures in business and culture.  His extensive list of projects span private and public...

The master of melancholy and pop, icon Troye Sivan was one the most articulate intelligent subjects I’ve interviewed.  Big blue eyes and a flop of carefully cropped curls, he was forthright about gay rights, the power of the people, and his passion for music.  He’s performed with everyone from Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift to Nashville Superstar Kasey Musgrave.  With his millions of Instagram fol...

Goodwill Champion for her Aunty Olivia Newton John's cancer and wellness centre, and recipient of an OAM for her services to the Arts, Tottie Goldsmith has graced our screens and many stages across Australia singing, acting, even tap dancing her way across the globe. One of 8 children to her 5 times married Father, the renowned eccentric nightclub owner Brian Goldsmith, Totties life has never...

One of the most inspiring, energetic creative people I’ve known, Jane Badler Hains, a beautiful talented New Yorker arrived in Melbourne in the 80s as an actor who is best known for her role as Diana in the cult NBC miniseries V . She’s worked with many including actors Alec Baldwin and Val Kilmer and featured on talk shows from Johnny Carson to David Letterman. Arriving in Australia to play a maj...

Emerging from Kokoda in March, Jon says it changed both himself and his son Levi - They learnt a lot including, “War is hell! “ He also reflects on the Arts in Australia, and how this billion dollar industry and the arts community have been kicked to the curb. Jon is angry about it.  “Musicians give everything - they raise money for everything from the the floods to the fires with love and hope to...

Katie Noonan’s pure angelic voice makes her one of Australia’s most versatile and beloved vocalists.  A mother, singer, producer, songwriter, pianist and business woman, this ARIA award winning and platinum selling songstress, first received widespread praise as the angel-voiced songstress of indie-pop band George, and has since taken audiences on sublime excursions through Jazz, Pop and Classical...

Some interviews just move me.  Complex, creative and fragile, artist David Bromley works adorn everything from mall murals to surfboards, furniture to sarongs. Speaking to him in his big beautiful Daylesford farm shed, brimming with artworks, sculptures and ornaments, he is truly a force to be reckoned with. Passionate, articulate and honest about his addictions, his loves including wife Yuge and...

Ever creative and faced with the Armageddon of a global pandemic, the King and Queen of Melbourne events Bruce and wife Chyka, morphed from a crisis into creating one of Melbourne's largest outdoor dining venues, The Ormond Collective - an ode to big English and Parisian outdoor cafes, its brimming with hanging plants, vintage outdoor furniture and eclectic terraces, and spaces for every kind...

Dr Chantel Thornton is a specialist breast and oncoplastic surgeon, specialising in the surgical treatment of breast cancer and preventative breast cancer surgery.  She is passionate about enhancing the patient experience, and has a special interest in breast cancer surgery, which maximises cosmetic results for her patients.  She is also a strong supporter of immediate breast reconstruction after...

If there was ever a true living saint in this world, then her name would be Susan Barton. Susan is the founder of the Lighthouse Foundation, a hub for the homeless and especially neglected and abused children. With 6 Children of her own, Susan has still managed to foster hundreds of children, up to 20 a year, sheltering them from abuse, childhood marriage, domestic violence, and neglect. When she...

Critically acclaimed Emily Lubitz is at the helm of acclaimed indie folk band Tin Pan Orange.  Together with her brother Jesse, their stylised folk music is described by Rolling Stone magazine as “deep dives into heart sleeved honesty equally matched by the cinematic stretches of detailed string arrangements and brooding folk pop features”.  She also works closely with her husband Harry Angus of “...

“All your nerve endings have to be alive to life .. you have to be prepared to plumb your own history and experiences that are often difficult. It’s just what it takes. The gold is about very raw authentic feelings, that’s the key to writing interestingly.. only then will the audience come on the ride with you.”  Renowned playwright novelist and screenwriter Joanna Murray Smith is described as the...

Supporting legends Carole King and James Taylor on their Australian tour, singer songwriter Lior is humble but they did choose him!  It’s the same for the 100 years centenary in Gallipoli, Lior was invited as the solo artist to perform his original song because he’s just that good.  Talented and humble his songs speak to people.  Gentle and obsessively creative, he reflects on the past, present an...

Spending time with Alyce Platt her infectious laugh and warm smile makes her feel more like a friend than a guest. She has graced our television screens for decades with years on Sale of the Century, Sons and Daughters, then a regular on Neighbours as Olivia Bell- a role she is reprising this month as she goes back on a carefully Covid protected Neighbours Set. Open about the Armageddon the Covid...

Brimming with raw talent, beauty and a fierce intellect, the winner of the 2019 National Live Music Awards Living Legend, and edging close to 40 years in the music industry, singer songwriter Deborah Conway has created the soundtrack to many of our lives.  From Her massive success with the band Do Re Mi, supporting legends culture club, Simple Minds and UB40 in the 90s, to her Incredible 40 year p...