Conversations

Journalist Kerrie Davies with the story of how novelist Miles Franklin went undercover as a maid for a year, in Sydney and Melbourne's wealthy houses, well before gonzo journalists became household names.The real-life story of novelist Stella Maria Miles Franklin had an unexpected chapter after publishing My Brilliant Career.In 1903, Miles became a 'girl stunt reporter' by going undercover as a servant.For a year, she lived as a maid in Sydney and Melbourne's wealthy houses and wrote about the humiliations and drudgery in the daily lives of servant girls, or 'slaveys'.During her experiment she hand-rolled heavy, wet clothes through a washing mangle; served her employers pre-breakfast tea and toast in bed, which she thought was an obscene indulgence; she cleaned guest rooms and parlours; helped at high-society balls and kept fires burning in winter.The manuscript Miles wrote about this year pre-dated George Orwell's Down and Out in Paris and London by three decades, yet it never found a publisher.Journalist Kerrie Davies has investigated this little-known chapter of Miles' life, finally bringing this story to life in her own book.This episode of Conversations explores feminism, suffragettes, biography, books, servants, writing, Australian fiction, boy sober, class warfare, adventures, adventurous women, risk-taking, origin stories, gonzo journalism, Nellie Bly, Rose Scott, early 20th century Sydney, Chicago, women's rights, trad wives, motherhood, partnership, self-partnering.Miles Franklin Undercover is published by Allen and Unwin.

Song propelled Morris Stuart from his early life shepherding sheep in British Guyana to an unlikely love story in London. In his retirement, he found himself shaping a choir of Central Australian Aboriginal women, who had been breathing life into 138-year-old Lutheran hymns.Morris Stuart met his Australian wife, Barbara in London in the 1960s.The pair led a youth group attached to a nearby church, and initially tried to ignore their growing feelings for each other.Morris was a young, Guyanese activist who was descended from African slaves, and wasn’t ready to face the social reality of marrying across racial lines.Morris and Barb fell in love and married several years before the film Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? was released, and featured at several screenings in London, where community members could ask them questions as a real life, interracial couple.The couple went on to have four children and moved to Australia, where Morris became a pastor with a community church in Melbourne.In their retirement, Morris and Barbara developed relationships with the Warlpiri community in Central Australia. They arrived in Alice Springs in 2005 and Morris started recruiting for a choir.More Indigenous communities started joining in and Morris formed the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s choir.They performed hymns brought by German Lutheran missionaries to the region in the late 19th Century, which were translated into Pitjantjatjara and Western Arrernte.The choir’s biggest achievement is a tour to Germany in 2015 — to perform the hymns that had all but vanished from use in Germany, but have been preserved in the Central Australian desert for 138 years.Follow the Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir on Facebook.Watch the documentary about the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir tour to Germany, The Song Keepers. This episode of Conversations touches on heritage, epic life story, origin stories, church, personal stories, childhood and reflection.

Nature writer Andrew Darby on what he learned from his rambles through the wilds of Tasmania, communing with the world’s oldest surviving trees. In particular, his ‘buttock clenching’ ascent up a 60-metre-tall eucalyptus known as The Vibe Tower.Nature writer, Andrew Darby spent more than 20 years as a Fairfax correspondent based in Tasmania.His stories involved the natural beauty of the bush, including visits to wild places and to the people who protect them, but it was deadline-driven and he couldn’t spend the time he wanted to.In 2017 Andrew was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.He underwent immunotherapy and was given a maximum 18-months to live. It has been eight years since he entered his “second life”.Andrew was determined to fully inhabit his beloved Tasmanian bush, so he went by himself to commune with ancient trees.These are some of the world’s oldest surviving trees, like King’s Lomatia; some of the biggest trees, like a 60-metre-tall eucalyptus known as The Vibe Tower; and Andrew’s favourite, the dignified Pencil Pine.The Ancients: Discovering the world’s oldest surviving trees in wild Tasmania is published by Allen & Unwin.This episode of Conversations touches on wild Tasmania, ancient trees, Pencil Pine, King's Lomatia, King Billy Pine, Giant Eucalyptus, Peter Dombrovskis photography, Walls of Jerusalem National Park, Pool of Siloam, epic hike, solo hike, stage four lung cancer, immunotherapy, second life and loving nature, hikes of Australia.

Anh Nguyen Austen, an academic and community advocate, shares her gripping story of fleeing Vietnam by boat in 1982 with her family. She recounts the harrowing storms they faced and the emotional toll of their escape from political turmoil. Anh delves into her childhood memories of family bonds and Catholic faith, emphasizing resilience and the pursuit of the American dream. Her journey from refugee to prestigious universities is a testament to hope, growth, and the power of education in transforming lives.

Vincent Fantauzzo, one of Australia's leading portrait artists, shares his incredible journey from a troubled upbringing filled with crime to artistic acclaim. He reflects on how dyslexia shaped his early life and drove his passion for drawing. The discussion includes his unique relationship with art, the transformative power of mentorship, and his love story with actress Asher Keddie. Vincent also opens up about his chaotic childhood, father-son dynamics, and the healing process through boxing and self-discovery.

Rebecca Huntley, a social researcher and author, is joined by beloved TV presenter Julia Zemiro and award-winning journalist Rick Morton for a lively storytelling event. They share unforgettable tales of mishaps and misadventures. Huntley recounts her chaotic first drive, while Morton hilariously reflects on a wild run-in involving his brother's friends. Zemiro reveals her mortifying professional experience and the frustration of perfect comebacks arriving too late. Together, they explore the humor in human failure and the beauty of resilience.

Josie McSkimming, sister of renowned poet Dorothy Porter, shares insights from her memoir, "Gutsy Girls: Love, Poetry and Sisterhood." She reflects on their bohemian upbringing in Sydney, highlighting the striking contrast between their life choices. Josie recounts her journey as a born-again Christian, her eventual departures from doctrinal constraints, and the complex familial dynamics that shaped both sisters. With humor and nostalgia, she pays tribute to Dorothy’s vibrant spirit while navigating her own path through faith and identity.

Hilton Koppe, a cherished country GP and author of "One Curious Doctor," shares his transformative journey after a health crisis reveals PTSD stemming from his medical career. He discusses the emotional weight of his experiences, exploring themes of migration, family heritage, and the importance of empathy in healthcare. Koppe reflects on his training, the challenges of integrating into Australian culture, and the profound effects of personal trauma. He emphasizes healing through connection with nature and reconnecting with passions, like soccer.

Sonya Voumard, a journalist and author, discusses her life with a tremor that began after her father's untimely death. She shares her journey through the medical system, the challenges of living with dystonia, and the emotional nuances of grief. Sonya vividly recounts transitioning from a young girl to a determined journalist while navigating her condition. She explores innovative treatments like incisionless brain surgery and the complexities of personal identity intertwined with her health, offering a raw and humorous look at resilience.

Ros Thomas, a globe-trotting journalist and columnist, shares her deep dive into the universal experience of loneliness. She recounts meeting a 70-year-old man who found solace with a small robot, and visits a unique Swedish share house where the elderly and young asylum seekers support one another. Ros opens up about her own childhood struggles with loneliness after her father left, and highlights innovative solutions, like AI companions and community hubs, to combat this growing epidemic.