Advertise on podcast: Milk Road podcast

Cheryl talks algorithms, exhaustion, and why she thinks pride is infectious. We recorded this in the middle of the local government election, so Cheryl is speaking as a candidate and as herself, not as a council spokesperson. Cheryl Fuller has been Mayor of Central Coast about four years. She grew up in Ulverstone in the 1980s, when the ambition of her whole friendship group was to get out as fast as possible. Outside of Tasmania, she built a career in logistics on the mainland and then came home.   We start where we met: a Devonport Chamber breakfast on red tape, where a local business owner explained that her sparkies fill in forms in triplicate, by hand, from books of 25, available only two at a time from Service Tasmania. Cheryl's head, by her own account, just about exploded. Her question to the room was why the state wasn't using the AI tools some councils are already using. Our conversation opens into something bigger: her view that state and local government "don't take enough opportunity to actually learn from each other and problem solve together" in a very small state.   We also get into what the current economic development strategy is actually for (measurement, not marketing), why Central Coast is the home of the glass and a half of full cream dairy milk and almost nobody knows it, the $106 million of agriculture tucked away in the hinterland behind the Bass Highway, why she has no interest in a Bunnings, and her completely unverified claim — unchallenged for four years — that Central Coast has more volunteers per capita than anywhere else in Tasmania. Near the end, Cheryl describes a young man at the recent candidates' night asking each candidate in the room why people his age feel disconnected from government. Her advice for anyone with a problem, a dream, or a business idea: Don't get crabby. Get helpful.

Tasmanian farmers sell into a market with very few buyers, which is a weak position to negotiate from. Dr Mark Cooksey runs ABx Group, exploring for rare earths in northern Tasmania — some of it under farmland he would like access to. That's a trade. This conversation is about what a fair version looks like. Mark is direct about what farmers might fear: damage to land, losing access to it, groundwater. He explains why he thinks mining could leave some land better than before mining. Whether the trade is worth making is the farmer's call. Contact Information: Dr Mark Cooksey Managing Director and CEO ABx Group Limited +61 447 201 536 [email protected] www.abxgroup.com.au

Every private-sector employee in Tasmania receives eleven legal public holidays each year. In Central Coast, they receive just ten. And the strange thing is: nobody actually decided to take that day away. When the federal Fair Work Act replaced Tasmania’s state awards in 2009, the Show Day entitlement that had existed in those awards for generations quietly disappeared. The Statutory Holidays Act 2000 had never listed Central Coast because the awards already provided for the day.The result was a circular gap in the law — and a public holiday that simply disappeared by accident. Seventeen years later, Hon Casey Hiscutt MLC, Independent Member for Montgomery, is trying to put it right. In this episode, Casey takes us through the full history, from the 1919 Bank Holidays Act, to the 2000 Hansard debate where legislators explicitly said existing entitlements would not change, and ultimately to how that promise unravelled. He discusses polling of 500 Central Coast residents, explains why his proposed amendment would restore a flexible, locally agreed day rather than impose a fixed date, and openly addresses the one legitimate argument against restoring the holiday. But there’s more to the story than legislation.Casey talks about growing up in a family that has served the Central Coast community for nearly a century, winning his first council election by just 1.84 votes, and what those experiences taught him about politics, numbers and the power of storytelling. Because sometimes changing the odds starts with telling the story. The amendment is due to be debated in the Tasmanian Legislative Council in early September 2026.

1,300 new visitors came to Queenstown last year. $840,000 is how much they spent. Why? Lincoln created a new type of tourist for the Tasmanian tourism industry. We talk about why, how, and what these high- spend tourists enjoy. What else should local business owners offer on the journey to their own Tasmanian dreams? About Trail Ventures

George Elkhair invests his time in board of director roles that tackle youth homelessness, migrant support, and cancer care across Tasmania. In this conversation, George and Adam explore why people who control the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors must work together, why the best investment a community can make is in people, and the hidden financial cost of staying silent about fairness. Contact by connecting with George Elkhair via LinkedIn

Paris shares invaluable thoughts, insights, and vision across the board. Links to content discussed: Dr. Paris Buttfield-Addison ⁠ Secret Labs Yarn Spinner Tas Game Makers Level Up Tasmania Event 8 Kind of Fun Paper Everything Is A Story: Journalist Nick Bilton Thinks AI Might End Humanity

www.danrepacholimp.com

Sign Up Here - https://the-big-tassie-walk.raiselysite.com Sign Up Here - www.mrctas.org.au

The Future Film Makers Lab offers free, government-funded filmmaking workshops across Ulverstone, Devonport, Sheffield, and Wilmot. Open to beginners, this two-part series (August & November) covers storytelling, camera work, lighting, and sound, with expert guidance from award-winning filmmakers Holly Winter and Riley Sapsford. Participants will have time between sessions to create a short film, receive mentoring and editing tips. Our aim is that each participant will have a finished short film at the end of workshops. Optionally, participants may submit their work to the Weindorfer Film Festival, focusing on nature and Tasmania’s conservation legacy. Prizes include cash, accommodation, and the prestigious Weindorfer Award. https://weindorferfilmfestival.com.au/ Eventbright: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/free-film-making-workshops-tickets-1549993053949

***Wild Times at Wilmot***  On Saturday September 6th the picturesque village of Wilmot will come to life in a showcase of local vendors, history and car enthusiasts.  Wilmot Country Market - Spring Edition offers over 20 unique stall holders with everything from hand made skin care to African jewellery.  Wilmot Car and Bike meets will take over the main street and local store with cars and bikes from all over the region.  Wilmot Historic Museum is hosting around 30 special guests as part of their Children's Museum and is open to the public.  So come for a drive to our beautiful valley and enjoy the sites, activities and some great live, local music.   Facebook page link is here to learn more about the Wilmot Country Market https://www.facebook.com/share/1EW1cAujxR/?mibextid=wwXIfr

ANU National Security College launches Australia-wide consultations on attitudes to security Community Consultations - Understanding Australian attitudes to security.

Adam Martin shares his valuable thoughts on how Community Consultation has been working as a process in Northwest Tasmania. And how important the skill level of storytelling is for all parties involved to the outcome. Link to the Ted Talk mentioned by Adam Martin: Complexity, citizen engagement in a post-social media time | David Snowden | TEDxUniversityofNicosia https://www.ted.com/talks/david_snowden_david_snowden_complexity_and_citizen_engagement_in_a_post_social_media_world/transcript

Craig highlights the important power of storytelling in business. He draws on his diverse career. It includes experience as detective in the NSW Police Force. He also shares insights on how effective storytelling can differentiate a business in a competitive market, build trust, and foster deeper connections with the audience. Heppell argues that companies must use stories to effectively convey their values, mission, and the unique benefits they offer. The conversation also touches on the role of storytelling in socio-economic community development. Heppell highlights how narratives can be used to inspire collective action, support local initiatives, and strengthen communal ties. He underscores the need for authenticity and relatability in stories to truly empower and mobilize communities. Listeners are encouraged to contact him to learn more. Want to contact Craig? [email protected] www.ulverstonerealestate.com FB: @ulverstonerealestate

Sandra shares her thoughts on the Milk Road podcast.

Want to email Dax? Email for Dax: [email protected]