This episode provides a brief overview of a few volunteer organisations in Western Australia. If you have been looking for something to add interest and value to your life, perhaps it will give you a starting point for further exploration. Peak volunteering bodies mentioned here are Volunteering Australia and Volunteering WA. The particular volunteer groups mentioned here can be easily found through a quick search. 

A joyful piece of music with some local gals and guys to cheer a rainy day. Recorded during an early lockdown.

You can't stop the beat

Poet and novelist, Pat Johnson, migrated to Australia with her family when she was 18. Here she reflects on the impact of migration on the family and on the cultural differences that exist between the two countries. She goes on to talk a little about how these have influenced her  creativity.

Pat is currently seeking a publisher for her new novella, a glittering and sensitive work of speculative fiction. 

Today's guest is Catharina (Kitty) Niemann. In her book Serenity, Kitty has recorded poems, short stories and memories. In this interview, Kitty reads two stories that her mother told her, one from her experiences of the Nazi occupation of Holland during the second World War, and another of her mother's adjustment to living in Australia in the early nineteen fifties. It should be noted that the first story describes some graphic scenes of death which some listeners might find triggering. 

Wishing you a very happy Christmas. You might like to take a moment to listen to this wonderful rendition of Jingle Bells by Maeve Lander, arranged by Bob Driggs. Maeve plays all the parts. You can see more on her youtube channel here and while you are at it, check out the Galaxy Brass website with music samples here. Thank you, Maeve, for allowing me to share your music on this site, and to Sarah for the heads up. 

Storyteller Bea has recorded four more of her stories and another stunning villanelle poem in this episode. Two of the stories are set in wartime Britain, and the poem features the famous poppies that remind us of the horrors of war. Another story is about a young woman who finds herself inadvertently caught up in the orbit of a group of Bohemian artists, and yet another is inspired by the title "Arsenic and Old Lace".  

Towards the end of this recording there is a little bit of background noise, so apologies for that, but Bea's voice is quite clear above it. Let's just say it adds to the ambiance! 

As promised, some of the episodes on this podcast will be celebrating creativity. In this episode, Bea reads some of her short stories. The first is based on an old Jewish folk tale, and features a silk jacket. The second will resonate with anyone who has dabbled in amateur dramatics. Another is about a married couple negotiating their retirement dreams, and yet another involves a mysterious lady, a man, and a pansy-decorated umbrella. The poem, a villanelle, honours Monet's garden. Enjoy!

Professor Ian Reid is the author of a dozen books - fiction, non-fiction and poetry.  His work has been widely anthologised, awarded prizes, and translated into several languages. We met to discuss his writing, his views on how the publishing industry has changed over the years, and advice he might give to other writers (and himself). Ian has an excellent blog, which is accessible from his website:

http://ianreid-author.com/

Today's guest, Barbara Gurney, is a writer and a musician in a pipe band. In this podcast she talks about how each form of creativity informs the other.

Barbara lives in Perth, Western Australia, and writes across several genres including fiction for adults and children and free verse poetry. She enjoys creating memorable characters and exposing life experiences – often of the ordinary person. Her next novel, Doors of Prague will be released in March 2021. Find more on her website:

www.barbaragurney.webs.com

Jillian spent four and a half years sailing around the top end of Australia with her husband following his early retirement. Here she shares stories of some of the many adventures they had along the way.