Our Byron Community with Chris Hanley

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Knight - one of Australia’s most celebrated writers and producers of film and television. Raised in Burwood, Melbourne, Andrew recalls a “boring” childhood in the 1950s, a time still shadowed by the war, where his love of storytelling first took shape through plays and characters. A scholarship to Melbourne University and later Monash set h...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Sam Saulwick - co-founder of The Bread Social and long-time Byron Bay local with deep ties to the town’s hospitality scene. Sam was born in Colombia and adopted by a Byron Bay family, moving here in 1983. His family quickly became part of the community, running the Beach Café from 1984 and later Oriental Express, one of the town’s go-to restaurant...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we speak with Linda Sparrow - long-time Bangalow local, former media buyer, and the passionate force behind Bangalow Koalas. Linda grew up in the Blue Mountains before building a life in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, eventually settling in Bangalow over two decades ago with her mum. She shares reflections on the sense of belonging she found in the Northern Rivers, th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we speak with Steve Snow - celebrated seafood chef, founder of the iconic Fins Restaurant, and lifelong lover of food, family, and the ocean. Born on the Gold Coast and raised in Cronulla, Steve’s path didn’t start in the kitchen. He began with business and law, but quickly realised the corporate life wasn’t for him. What followed was a leap into a world where he...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we speak with Tim Watson-Munro, renowned criminal psychologist and author of Dancing with Demons and A Shrink in the Clink . Tim’s career began in Sydney, where he studied psychology at university before taking on the role of resident psychologist at Parramatta Gaol at just 25 years old. He shares stories from his time working in the prison system, including the w...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we speak with Amanda Gorvin, General Manager of the Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Originally from the Central Coast, Amanda began her career in sport, working with the Queensland Reds in ticketing and membership. A trip to Lennox Head in 2005 left a lasting impression - she instantly felt at home. Years later, during the COVID lockdowns, Amanda made the move to Le...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with John Morgan - better known around town as Maddog  - to explore his decades-long connection with Byron Bay, from the early surf scene to community service and everything in between. John moved from Brisbane to Byron Bay in 1976 at just 19 years old, landing his first job at the local meat works. He takes us back to what the town was like in those e...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Louise O’Connell, General Manager of the Byron Community Centre, to explore a life shaped by adventure, service, and a deep dedication to community. Originally from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Louise reflects on the winding path that brought her to Byron Bay, including a few years travelling overseas, where a quiet moment on a beach in Croatia beca...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Geoff Cousins, a businessman-turned-environmental activist who has led major campaigns to protect Australia’s natural landscapes. From teaching teenagers at 19 to working in the corporate world, Geoff shares what ignited his passion for conservation and how he made the leap from business leader to activist.  We talk about the challenges of bridgin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Cody Greenwood, a passionate producer whose upcoming film Birth Right is set for release in late 2025. Cody opens up about her creative journey, from studying at an art school to diving into the world of filmmaking, and how she’s built a career in a constantly evolving industry.  We dive into her experiences with film, including her childhood fasc...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Renaud Joannes-Boyau, Director of Higher Degree Research Training at Southern Cross Geoscience, Southern Cross University. Renaud's journey spans continents and disciplines, from his childhood in Paris to moving to the US at 15 to learn English, and ultimately finding his path in the world of research and academia. With a deep passion for...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Karen Gross, an educator, and passionate advocate for special education and disability inclusion. Originally from Paddington, Sydney, Karen’s journey took her from studying art teaching to raising twin daughters and pursuing a career in special education. She opens up about growing up in a creative family and how it influenced her approach to teac...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Sarah Rosborg, co-founder of Rafiki Mwema, a non-profit dedicated to helping abused and at-risk children in Kenya. Born in Sydney and raised in the Northern Rivers, Sarah’s journey to creating Rafiki Mwema is nothing short of extraordinary. What started as a volunteer trip to Kenya in 2005 quickly became a life-changing mission to provide a safe h...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we talk with Julianne Schultz, a journalist and board member of the Sydney Writers' Festival. Julianne is also the author of Idea of Australia . We discuss the challenges facing Australian politics, including why politicians seem afraid to take on public opinion and why real change feels so difficult to achieve. We explore why Australian politicians seem so t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Tony Cross, a passionate educator, and Principal at the Byron Bay Community School. Tony's journey to teaching began far from the beaches of Byron—he grew up in the rural town of Goondiwindi, Queensland, where childhood freedom shaped his values and perspective on life.  After studying at UNE University in Armidale and then moving to Sydney f...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an insightful episode with Jeremy Burn, the owner of Bay Grocer in Byron Bay. Growing up in Taranaki, New Zealand, Jeremy’s path led him from hospitality to the dynamic world of retail. After earning a Business degree in Communications, he found his footing in accounts receivable at a radiology clinic before diving into marketing. Jeremy opens up about the challenges o...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we sit down with Paul Davis, an audiologist with over 30 years of experience dedicated to helping those with hearing disorders, particularly tinnitus. Growing up in Possum Creek in the late '70s, Paul embraced a self-sufficient and sustainable lifestyle. After studying at Mullumbimby High School, he pursued a degree in hearing, paving the way for his impactful care...

Send us Fan Mail Join us in this live episode from the 2024 Writers Festival as we welcome authors Tim Baker, James Bradley, and Rebecca Huntley.  Together, they delve into the groundbreaking 2023 legalisation of psilocybin and MDMA in Australia for treating depression and PTSD. This thought-provoking discussion explores the transformative potential of psychedelics in mental health therapy and add...

Send us Fan Mail Join us in this live episode from the 2024 Writers Festival as we welcome journalist, author, and polymath Gideon Haigh for an intimate discussion about his latest works.  From the poignant memoir My Brother Jaz to the gripping true crime investigation  The Girl in Cabin 350 and the revealing biography The One Indiscretion of His Life , Haigh offers insights that transcend the cri...

Send us Fan Mail Join us in this live episode from the 2024 Writers Festival as we sit down with the legendary Kate Ceberano to discuss her latest work, Unsung: A Compendium of Creativity .  In this heartfelt exploration, Kate reflects on the people and experiences that have shaped her artistic journey, revealing the joys and challenges that inspire her music. As a powerful and vulnerable voice in...

Send us Fan Mail Join host Chris Hanley in this live episode from the 2024 Writers Festival as he interviews Nick Bryant about his book, "The Forever War: America’s Unending Conflict with Itself." Nick Bryant explains how the hate, divisiveness and paranoia we see today are a core part of America’s story If you’d like to share your story with us or provide feedback, please contact us via...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an inspiring episode with Dan Ward, who shares his journey from childhood on Christmas Island to overcoming addiction and helping others find recovery. Born in Melbourne and raised on Christmas Island, Dan navigated the challenges of fitting into new schools while moving frequently. He recounts surviving a category 3 cyclone in Vanuatu and struggling with identity and...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we sit down with Dr. Paul Thomas, a Newcastle-born nuclear medicine specialist now based in Byron Bay. Paul takes us on a journey from his medical training in Newcastle to his current work in the field of nuclear medicine. He offers a fascinating look into how problem-based learning at Newcastle University shaped his career and the intriguing science behind PET scans. I...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we explore the life and wisdom of Dr. Howard Chilton, a leading neonatologist with a remarkable journey. Born in Yorkshire, Dr. Chilton’s path took him from the English countryside to Byron Bay, where he has embraced both the community and the coastal lifestyle. In this episode, Dr. Chilton shares his experiences growing up in Yorkshire, his transformative time in Byron...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on an inspiring journey with Jane Thomson OAM, the visionary founder behind the Australian Women in Wine Awards and The Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society. In this episode, we explore Jane’s remarkable career evolution, from her influential role in the dynamic wine industry to her tranquil life in the Northern Rivers. Starting out as a psychologist specialising in organisational...