The Conversation Hour

What did your school holidays look like when you where a kid? In this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at how the social media ban for under 16s will change what kids do during the holiday and if they could start to look something like the holidays of previous generations.Also in this edition, has annotating books become a thing on BookTok? Music festivals are in full swing over summer, but what is it to work as crew for the big acts and festivals and does there need to be better supports in place for music crew?Plus, navigating gendered marketing toys this Christmas.

It's been a big day for year 12 students, as they receive their ATAR score, but is it actually ok to ask what someone got? In this edition of The Conversation Hour we explore what the best way to approach the conversation is, and what the best approach is if you are a student who doesn't want to discuss it.Also in this edition, why there has been an increase in sharks around Byron Bay, the rise of women on steroids. Plus, what are the best albums of 2025

A rare dinosaur skeleton will be going to auction in London. Nicknamed Spike, inspired by its pointy skull, it has been described as a "colourful bird-like beast." In this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss the ethics of investing in dinosaur fossils and whether they should just stay in the domain of museums and the scientific community.Also in this edition, Fanny Lumsden talks auditioning local acts for her new tour, how the social media ban for under 16s will impact boarding school students. Plus, have we seen any progress in preventing youth homelessness?

Well, Christmas is almost upon us and in this edition of The Conversation Hour we hear your unique Christmas traditions and catch up with the co-founder of Elf on a Shelf. Also in this edition, who is up for a nomination at this year's Golden Globes, how much does body language matter in how we communicate plus we take you to parliament to hear The Victorian government's historic apology to Aboriginal Victorians. 

A Government spokesperson has told The Conversation Hour that they are addressing duplication by bringing the work of VicHealth into the larger Department of Health. In this edition of the program we discuss whether VicHealth needs to maintain a certain level of independence and what this move means for preventive health more broadly.And later in the hour, the complex relationship women have with facial hair.

A recent study has exposed a gap in the amount of time allocated to teaching primary school students how to type and in this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss why learning to type still matters and what is best practice in teaching it. Also in this edition, the danger posed by potholes to Victoria's motorcycle community, the extraordinary lengths one man has gone to raise awareness of the destruction of our natural habitat our mental health. Plus, why we still love Lady Gaga.

Today marks  International Day of People with a Disability and in this edition of the Conversation Hour we discuss the prevalence of discrimination in the workplace towards blind and low vision people and how to combat discriminatory attittudes and practices. Also in this edition, we celebrate 80 years of The Country Hour, discuss what is behind the Prada buying Versace, plus  US hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar heads to Ballarat on Saturday, we compile your tips on what he should see and do. 

New research indicates that nightclubs could be doing more to prevent sexual harm in their venues. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we talk through what sorts of of things venues could be doing to decrease the risk.Also in this edition, keeping pets safe in high density housing, just how much will the metro tunnel reshape the way we travel in the years ahead plus, we speak to a linguist why MUTT could catch on as a nickname for the tunnel.

The Metro Tunnell is go and in this special edition of The Conversation Hour we broadcast live from Town Hall Station. We speak with architects, train drivers, station masters and public transport researchers and you on this momentous day for Melbourne.

Two schools in Berwick went into lockdown yesterday, a Department of Education spokesperson said the incident involved a "young student who behaved in a dangerous matter".In this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss whether lockdown drills are necessary in Victorian schools and how to do them without perpetuating a sense of fear and anxiety in young people.Also in this edition, why this year's cherry season has been delayed, why uniforms matter in attracting women into trade plus is Robert Irwin the perfect male role model?