The Australian Baby Boomer Podcast

The importance of inclusive diversity on boards

PhD Candidate, Veronica Lawrance is a passionate advocate for improving  diversity on boards so that they better reflect the communities  they serve. She discusses diversity not only in terms of gender, but across the many groups that reflect the society in which we live.

In this interview she concludes that diversity is not enough if it is seen only as a superficial goal. It must be one that is truly inclusive. This idea goes beyond token involvement on boards. It enables under-represented groups a seat at the table and a voice that is heard.  

The podcaster interviewed

In today's episode, Poet and Novelist Pat Johnson interviews me. My name is Iris Lavell and Pat thought it might be interesting to put the focus on a couple of things in my own life - a novel I had published a while back, the reasons for starting a podcast, and the volunteer work I am involved in. We met in a cafe over tea and toast, and while we thought it might be reasonably quiet in the corridor, the microphone didn't think so. As you can hear, there is still what might euphemistically be called a 'vibrant' atmosphere with chatter and the occasional slamming of a door. Even so, I very much enjoyed meeting with Pat, and hope you find the interview to be of interest. 

Sexologist and Human Rights Advocate Dr Lorel Mayberry discusses her work with Borderless Friendship

About thirty years ago, Dr Lorel Mayberry became aware of the child sex trafficking 'trade' and has since become a passionate advocate for the rights of children and communities affected by this crime. Wherever she has been able, she has provided practical assistance to prevent the damage being done at the outset. This interview details some of the positive and uplifting work being done to provide opportunities for people in affected areas. 

The video mentioned in this episode is There is No Monday

It is well worth taking a few minutes to check it out.

Giving back - volunteering at Solaris, Read Write Now and sponsoring Hill Tribe Children for Borderless Friendship

In the nineteen-nineties Lizzie visited Nepal. It changed her life. Upon her return home she resigned from her corporate job and took up work in aged care where she felt she could make a positive difference in the lives of others. Since then she has been involved in volunteer work as a tutor at Read Write Now, as a Reiki practitioner providing complementary therapy for cancer patients through an organisation called Solaris, and has visited and sponsored Hill Tribe children in Thailand. She tells me  that she gets back far more than she gives.

I found the talk most interesting. In our discussion I mention a couple of links that would be put up on this summary. Here they are: 

Borderless Friendship

Home - Solaris Cancer Care

Read Write Now

You Tube video on Borderless Friendship Thailand

 

 

A Short Story by the Podcaster

Today's episode features a short story of mine that is included in the 25th anniversary edition of Writefree's Anthology to be launched at the Katharine Susannah Prichard Centre, Greenmount, on Sunday October 24th. All are welcome to attend. The event starts at 2pm and light refreshments will be provided. I'm hoping to interview more people in the future, so if you are interested in being interviewed on a topic of your choosing, please let me know. 

Iris L.

Volunteering in Western Australia

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. 

Migrating from the U.S. to Australia. A creative's journey

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. 

A mother's memory of occupied Holland during the second World War

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. 

Merry Xmas greetings and a musical treat

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. 

Four more stories and a poem from Bea

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!