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Tim chats with Anthony Radford about how stories can have a positive impact on how people think and act. Anthony grew up in Broadford and is now a Bendigo-based media professional who cares deeply about good storytelling and strong local communities. Through Radford Media, he works with community organisations, Traditional Owners and businesses to help them tell clear, honest stories about who they are and what they stand for, with a strong focus on regional voices. He has a lot of experience about communication strategies related to climate action. He was a journalist for 20 years and won a Walkley Award (a finalist twice!) and a Quill Award. He is one of the founders of Believe in Bendigo, an initiative that encourages pride, confidence, and connection in the city while respecting its history and diversity. It was very active supporting the planning application for a local mosque. Campaigning through story telling is a big part of his life and work. He has also been involved in campaigns to build a $630million hospital in Bendigo and a $110m pipeline to secure the city’s water supply. Both of which the city is benefitting from today. Anthony’s work is about sharing positive local stories and bringing people together, grounded in a belief that communities are stronger when people believe in their place and in each other. So much of his work has relevance for communities in Mitchell Shire, and the local and global issues we are struggling with at this time.

Ruth welcomes back Cam Walker from Friends of the Earth (FOE) to talk about FOE’s current environmental focus including the latest fires in Victoria, both from FOE’s perspective and his own personal experience, having been on the ground as a CFA volunteer firefighter in the recent Harcourt-Ravenswood fires that destroyed 48 houses earlier this month. Cam brings a fresh perspective on how to prepare for future fires in these unpredictable times of climate change, including the urgent need for Australia to purchase our own fleet of Large Air Tankers (LATS) currently leased from North America. Climate change is creating longer and longer fire seasons around the world so not having our own fleet is rapidly becoming a risky option. He talks about how to better support out local communities, (that’s all species! Fire affected wildlife are barely getting a mention on the news in these days….), and we will provide important information about where to get all levels of practical help including where we can source what’s actually needed to ensure relevant and appropriate support is available for those devastated by the fires. Cam reflects on where we are at with land management and Cultural Parks, and the new era of land management. With Victoria’s State election looming this year, Cam highlights the environmental issues faced by the State, such as the state of our forests and the imminent Snow Gum Summit whose focus will be on how to save the dying Snow Gums from the native wood-boring beetle whose larvae eats the sapwood, this combined with the effects of climate change, increased drought and fires means these severely stressed trees are struggling to survive. Join us for this interesting and informative conversation when Cam will bring important information to increase our knowledge and awareness of our planet’s environmental needs, so we can actively and most usefully participate in caring for the Earth, both locally and globally. Cam Walker is Friends of the Earth Australia’s campaigns coordinator. Cam has been active on environment and climate justice issues for more than 25 years. He has lectured in environmental politics and change theory at RMIT University and is currently working on nuclear-free energy with Victorian communities to protect farmland from unconventional gas and fracking, as well as new coal developments; koala protection and other regional environmental issues in Central Victoria. You can follow Cam’s Twitter feed at @Cam_Walker. Friends of the Earth fire recovery information is excellent - they have collated resources from the ground, and ideas on grassroots initiatives, to help us all support those affected by the fires. https://www.melbournefoe.org.au/support_vic_fires_jan2026 or, email: Vicky Ellmore who is Melbourne FOE's Community Organiser, Act on Climate Collective. The Biodiversity Recovery Alliance. Website: h[ps://www.biodiversityrecoveryalliance.com/ This is the coordinating group for on ground fire recovery from a biodiversity perspective. An alliance of local environmental groups working together to restore the Granite to Goulburn landscape following the Victorian Longwood bushfires this month, 2026. Subscribe to Granite News if you live in the Caveat, Highlands, Hughes Creek, Ruffy, Tarcome, Terip Terip, and Whiteheads Creek area, Their fire support information is excellent advising what help is available and how to get it. Email: [email protected] Australia needs a publicly owned fire fighting air fleet https://www.foe.org.au/lat_2026#:~:text=For%20instance%2C%20the%20Australian%20government,see%20in%20a%20warming%20world. Sign the petition and write to national Emergency Services minister, Kristy McBain, to urge the federal government to get on with purchasing a publicly owned fleets of LATs. [email protected]  

2026 has started with heartbreaking fires in central Victoria, floods on the South West Coast and political tremors around the world. Many of us are directly affected by the impact of the local fires and any sort of recovery will take a long time. Local communities have rallied with dedicated emergency support and compassion. The best of human behaviours is there in the midst of uncertain and difficult times. As people who care about the planet and about our neighbours, what are the conversations we need to have about how our society responds to severe weather events, disasters, conflict and threats to community wellbeing? Our guest this week, Dr Samantha Ratnam has a 20 year career covering youth work, social research, political activism and social and climate activism. She also has lived through refugee experience as a young child. She was Mayor of Merri-bek Council, served as a Member of the Victorian Parliament (including as State Leader) for seven years and stood as the Greens candidate for the federal seat of Wills. She joins us to chat - not about party politics - but to reflect on her political outlook and philosophy of life. What has she learned about "how community works"? What are the basics of a "green philosophy"? The pillars of the global Greens Movement include ecological integrity, social and economic justice, grassroots democracy and participatory decision-making and peace and non-violence. Do these have relevance in 2026 beyond political point scoring and increasing tensions, anxiety and global warming/heating? Here are some links relevant to the show: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samantha_Ratnam https://www.theage.com.au/national/i-ll-never-forget-that-moment-samantha-ratnam-on-politics-palestine-and-the-path-ahead-20250605-p5m59c.html  https://samantharatnam.com/my-story/ And finally, here is the link to the Yo-Yo Ma podcast she mentioned https://open.spotify.com/show/6KjZWAn5bZwBDWXj9a0Bdh?si=f9b354621a004ba3

Following the Victorian fires, on EarthChat we discussed the importance of a respectful  immediate response to people who are seriously affected.  We also acknowledged the fantastic efforts of our first responders who did such a wonderful job. On a related topic, we discussed the central role of bees and other pollinators in the health of our environment and how they are affected by climate change and heat. We are dependent on them for a large percentage of our food supply. the selection of bee-friendly plants for our gardens and how to choose plants that flower at different times of the year.  We looked at the wide variety of other pollinators including our native bees. We discussed the dangers posed by the presence of varroa mites to honey bees, how to detect them and treat hives that are infected. Want to support bushfire response efforts? Supporting Rotary Clubs to support their communities: https://forms.office.com/r/98d5dPqW9t Supporting NFP organisations to help injured animals: https://forms.office.com/r/1fQy9sMkSq

In the State of Victoria, Australia’s first Treaty has been negotiated, legislated, and signed by the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria, the Victorian State Government and the Governor of Victoria. Treaty aims to build a new, just relationship, acknowledging history, respecting culture, and creating pathways for prosperity and self-governance, moving beyond past injustices towards a more equitable Victoria for everyone. This is a chance to close the gaps and heal the divisions so we can move forward and mature as a nation. In 2022, The Yoorrook Justice Commission began a process of healing and created a public record of our true history which will now be part of the school curriculum so at last children in Victoria will grow up understanding the truth about white settlement in this State, (and in the whole of Australia), and its impact on the nation’s First People who had lived and cared for the land successfully for over 65,000 years. In the words of Professor Eleanor Bourke, Wergaia/Wamba Wamba Elder and Chair of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, “When we understand the past and how this connects to the present, we have the power to create real and lasting change”. Ngarra Murray - Co Chair FPAV: ”Treaties are a bridge, not just between us and the state, but between black and white, the past and the future.” A year ago, when Treaty negotiations were about to commence between The First Peoples Assembly of Victoria and the Victorian State Government, non indigenous Australians, Ruth, Emma, and Phil discussed the aims and the anticipated benefits of Treaty for all Victorians. Although Treaty is now legislated in Victoria, this conversation continues its investigation into what Treaty means from a non aboriginal perspective. Is it a positive step, and if so why? And how will a statewide Treaty in Victoria benefit all who live in this State? For those still undecided, cautious, or even fearful about Treaty, we aim to reveal ways Treaty has been useful and necessary, based on the history of other colonized countries who have gone down the Treaty path whilst acknowledging any pitfalls we need to learn from. Being the last commonwealth country to have a treaty we can learn from those colonized countries who have embarked down the Treaty Path before us. We also wish to gain a clearer understanding as to why some people are opposed to Treaty, to identify what’s contributing to their views along with the deep divisions in our society that were exposed by the recent Australian Voice to Parliament Referendum. We’ll investigate examples of where self determination has successfully occurred in Australia through indigenous initiatives in business and other types of autonomous indigenous owned and run organizations. We do not represent The First Peoples Assembly of Victoria, nor indigenous people generally in Victoria. Simply, we are three people who see themselves as ancestors of immigrants to this country who support Treaties with its First Peoples and their capacity for self determination, along with decolonization.  We appreciate that unknowns will inevitably emerge as the process of implementing Treaties unfolds. Like all newly trodden paths, we need to allow space, patience, and flexibility with each carefully considered step along this new terrain to collectively evolve the best possible outcomes for all concerned. You can find Victoria's Treaty-related legislation, like the Statewide Treaty Act 2025, directly on the Victorian Legislation website: legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/acts/statewide-treaty-act-2025. For broader information and updates on the Treaty process, visit the official Treaty Victoria site at treatyvictoria.vic.gov.auor the First Peoples Relations page at firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au/treaty.

It's 10 years since the first program, and with EarthChat is in good health, Peter Lockyer is pulling up stumps. So this week, Peter shares how EarthChat started, its objectives, and some highs and lows. EarthChat is a child of BEAM Mitchell Environment Group, and Peter Lockyer has also retired from the BEAM committee too, after about 15 exemplary years. He stays a life member of the BEAM organisation and will be active in different ways now. So what is this local activist going to do with all of his spare time?  Well, there's attraction in the Kimberley and building work with a First Nations community, and a serious renovation of a Seymour house that is the focus before the Kimberley campaign. And songwriting, maybe even reading. As a special treat, Peter will sing one of his songs. It's a ripper!

On this week's EarthChat, Jill and Tim talk with Andrew Kelly, a writer and waterways' advocate. As a writer, his focus is on children’s picture books, authoring and co-authoring many award-winning books, mainly with environmental themes. His most recent book is ‘Prayer for a River’ written with Uncle Glenn Loughrey.       He was the Yarra Riverkeeper for seven years, responsible for seeing the government follow through on its election commitment to treating the Yarra as a living entity. The living entity thinking has spread into our planning schemes for the Yarra Birrarung and into planning for Andrew, the waterways of the west of Melbourne, and the Barwon. Andrew has continued advocating for waterways as living entities as the convenor of The Waterways Network and as a founding member of the Concerned Waterways Alliance.       The focus of his work has extended beyond the Yarra to all southern Victorian waterways with an extended consideration of key policy issues involving water and waterways across Australia. He argues for a federal Water Act that encompasses all Australian waterways. Show Notes According to the Australian Water Association (AWA), Water use is about 340 litres/person/day although household water use did decline in 2022-23, possibly in response to increased water prices but also due to increased awareness of water efficiency measures. Household water use is comprised of: 30% showers 20% outdoors 1 % dishwasher 14% toilet 16% washing machine 19% tap, bath and other uses Water is a precious, life changing resource, essential for health, dignity and life quality.  It has a range of uses including: Human – household, agriculture, industry and amenity; Ecological - habitat, river systems and floodplains; and Earth Systems such as the water cycle and the carbon cycle which are intrinsic to survival Given the value of water in our lives and healthy natural systems, the fact that Australia is the driest inhabited continent should encourage everyone to work together on sustainable solutions to water challenges. Fair access to clean, fresh water is a shared responsibility and this is often more apparent in regional and remote areas  where cost, availability and quality are limiting factors.  Saving water leads to a healthy environment but urban expansion impacts on water availability and catchment health including damage to acquifers and public safety dangers from flooding. Capturing runoff and better storm water management are areas that need better planning and management. Water has significant cultural values so improved water security and reliability of flow is strongly linked to Indigenous water interests. Goulburn Valley Water www.gvwater.vic.gov.au Annual Water Outlook https://www.water.vic.gov.au Drought Preparedness Response Framework https://www.agriculture.vic.gov.au Australian Water Association (AWA) https://www.awa.asn.au Water Education Toolkit Wanda the Water Warrior Bureau of Meteorology www.bom.gov.au Water in Australia CSIRO Water Book https://www.csiro.au Concerned Waterways Alliance https://concernedwaterwaysalliance.org Taungurung Land and Waters Council https://taungurung.com.au Protects the cultural heritage of the Taungurung people and develops projects for the economic, social and cultural well-being as well as providing services for land and water management to ensure environmental and cultural heritage preservation. River Connect www.riverconnect.com.au An initiative of the Shepparton-Muroopna community to acknowledge the Goulburn and Broken Rivers as the heart and soul of the community. Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists https://wentworthgroup.org Prayer for a River (Uncle Glenn Loughrey and Andrew Kelly), 2025, published by Wild Dog, distributed by Simon and Schuster, www.simonandschuster.com.au Water Cycle Adaptation Plan https://www.climatechange.vic.gov.au Waterways Network www.waterwaysnetwork.com.au Victorian Water Accounts/Water Register  Https://waterregister.vic.gov.au National Water Grid Fund (NWGF) www.nationalwatergrid.gov.au Supports investment in nature positive projects on water security, water efficiency and resilience to droughts and ongoing water scarcity in regional Australia. Outcomes will address biodiversity, restoration of natural systems and sustainable construction of infrastructure to minimise negative impacts on the environment. Is a River Alive? A Journey with water by Robert Macfarlane, Penguin, 2025. My Garden Path - Andrew Kelly - Gardening Australia Australian Broadcasting Corporation https://www.abc.net.au › gardening › how-to › my-gar...

This week we are talking weeds starting with Serrated Tussock Grass. We will learn how to identify and control it. We will also chat about the severe damage it can cause, its economic effects caused by productivity damage. We will also explore other significant weeds that affect our local farms, the damage they do and eradication approaches.

Has it been a good year for the climate and our environment? Is the glass half-empty or half-full and is the water polluted in the glass anyway? Is there any good news? Well, yes! To explore this topic Jill Grant and Tim Budge review the year, highlighting the events which cheer us up and bring us hope, while also noting those areas where things may have gone backwards. We will also be talking about our favourite books, music and films from 2025 and we'll also look ahead. As part of that we will be talking to a couple of new BEAM committee members, about their commitment to the environment and why they want to work with an organisation like BEAM to "take action locally for a healthy environment". SHOW NOTES Global Plastics Treaty Goal of 75% Reduction in plastic production and use by 2040.  Unfortunately the Treaty was not successful as countries were divided on how to tackle the crisis. 100 countries wanted binding caps on production and direct action on toxic chemicals arising from plastic. Action was opposed by large fossil fuel producers, including Saudi Arabia and Russia so in the absence of global action, Country based local initiatives become more urgent. Production has soared to 460 million metric tonnes annually and will continue to increase unless alternatives can be found.  Currently only 10% is recycled globally and a significant proportion of waste is incinerated leading to further release of toxic chemicals and carbon dioxide as they are made from fossil fuels and will increase planet wide air and water pollution over their lifecycle. National Adaptation Action Plan (Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water) Developed after the Climate Risk Assessment  by the Australian Climate Service, Bureau of Meteorology and Geoscience Australia. Direct Action on Physical Risks  such as bushfires, storms, floods, coastal hazards etc and action on the associated health and social cohesion impacts across 7 key systems – urban: regional and remote; natural environment; economy, trade and finance; infrastructure and the built environment; and National security. Special consideration is given to the disproportionate impact on the way of life and threat to health and livelihoods of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Emissions Reduction National Targets (Nationally Determined Contribution to the goals set out under the 2015 Paris Agreement). Australia has committed to a 62-70 percent reduction in emissions below 2005 levels and a transformation of the energy system with technological innovation and increased energy security is underway. This will provide a safer climate through decarbonisation and new economic opportunities in regions where renewable energy resources and an increasingly skilled workforce can deliver significant advances. Already there has been a 91% reduction in Photo Voltaic cell costs over the last 20 years. Banksia Foundation National Sustainability Awards https://Banksiafdn.com For 36 years the entrants in the Awards had been inspiring organisations and individuals to drive positive change and make a difference to sustainable development goals across all sectors  

We’ve heard a lot over the past year or so about our housing crisis. The commentary has dominated governments, and yet the suburban sprawl continues over farming and grazing land, over wetlands and precious green belts are disappearing. Blocks are too small to grow big trees for shade, and the “heat island” effect is real in our new suburbs with black roofs.  The sprawl grows. Housing shortages continue. Ryan Elliot (Municipal Building Surveyor) and Brian Bowring (involved in many “fringe” building techniques over the years) join Peter Lockyer on EarthChat this week to take a hard look at challenges in our housing industry. Big house or tiny house; own your land or lease it; rental for life of a comfortable caravan park; modular houses or more builders. And consider the issues of recyclability, labour intensity of landfill, and energy efficiency for all. Just what is the crisis? Where does it come from? Addressing housing shortfall may not be by means we are used to. Is the notion of owning one’s home the issue at the core.     Do we blame Menzies?

This week we will be exploring our wonderful planet and why we need to act to protect it. We will attempt to unravel the complexities of nature and what we need to do for it to flourish. We will be explaining concepts like biodiversity, symbiosis and ecosystems

‘Othering’ is the process of viewing and treating a person or a group as "other," because they seem different, alien, or inferior to us. This "us vs. them" mentality often involves creating a dominant social group identity resulting in exclusion and stigmatizing another group due to assumed perceptions about the other’s race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. It can lead to marginalization, social exclusion, and prejudice. This week Ruth will explore ‘Othering’ and ‘Disability’ with Wendy Kelly, the Diversity and Inclusion Officer with Nexus Primary Health in Seymour, Victoria. Ever since a severe accident as a teenager Wendy has lived her life in a wheelchair. She therefore knows first hand what it is to be treated differently because of having a disability. She continues to witness and experience ignorance and disinterest by able bodied people in what’s needed to ensure people with disability may also live fully supported and fulfilled lives. Wendy has spent much of her personal and professional life raising awareness supporting others with disability, as well as creating opportunities for them to train and participate in competitive team sports in the Lower Hume Region. Focusing on ‘othering’ and ‘disability’ includes shining the light on ‘ableism’ which allows us to unpack the often unconscious prejudice, discrimination, and social bias against people with disabilities, and the subsequent assumption that non-disabled people are superior. Through self-reflection and empathy we become aware of the inherited conditioning that leads us to these inclinations and bias, and instead develop interest in challenging such assumptions. Curiosity often follows bringing with it the discovery of much joy and delight in diversity.

This week Marie chats with Paul Lloyd about their recent trip to Madagascar on a Rotary International project. The aim was  to deliver aid to a very poor school in rural Madagascar. “We arrived in Anatarrivo, the capital, as street demonstrations broke out and we had an eventful time  getting to our hotel. We spent three days under curfew before being able to fly south to Port Dauphin to start the project.  We eventually reached the school in Ambovombe where we found quite extreme poverty. The classes were very large, around 100 students, toilets clearly a health hazard and other facilities really poor. “We will discuss the needs and what we were able to achieve and hope to do in the future.”

Did you know that renewables produced more electricity than coal across the world in the first half of 2025? What a huge shift in a short amount of time. More change is to come, with projects like this photo, of an orchard in Switzerland (does the sun even shine there?) where panels produce 300MWh per year in electricity. What a harvest! The good news is that Australia is a world leader in solar electricity, just think about all those roof panels saving homeowners household bills. If you have an EV and home battery, you are also getting cheap or free car travel. What's there not to like! As someone has written, "Burning fossil fuels is like burning old sunshine; now we can utilise the sun in real-time" This week on EarthChat we talk to Mark Lyons, Clonbinane local and solar expert. Here is what Mark says about himself, "I grew up down stream from Myrtleford and helped dad a lot while he was building various bits of equipment for the farm. This gave me a good mechanical understanding of things. I left school as soon as I was able and worked in a timber mill in Myrtleford before moving to Melbourne to study photography. That was my work for about 20 years and ran a photographic business in Northcote for about ten years. "Towards the end of that I did a diploma in renewable energies. It became apparent I would need to pay an electrician to do much of the work I was planning. That was when I started an apprenticeship as an electrician which I completed in my forties. So for about 20 years now I have run my own electric contracting business as well as project managing large megawatt size solar installations for a company. "Some time in my thirties I found a guitar that was being thrown out so I took it home and learned to play it, eventually writing my own songs and forming a fairly heavy rock band that played in pubs around Melbourne for about 5 years. "I love making things like trailers, electric motorbikes, quad bikes and a small ride on mower I use as a small tractor. We left Melbourne 6 1/2 years ago for Clonbinane and have never looked back. During my late 20s I lived overseas for a couple of years where I met and married Mary. 33 years married now. We have a daughter, Hazel who is 30 now and is a nurse." Mark and Tim will be chatting about how to make the most of wonderful opportunities renewables can offer. How can we better use the power of the sun? How do we apply for government subsidies around batteries and energy efficient appliances for everyone?

  Legislation for Australia's first Treaty between the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria and the Victorian Government has just been introduced in the Victorian Parliament. An historic moment built on over 200 years of First Nations' advocacy. North East Representative of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, Levi Power, returns to EarthChat to chat with Ruth and Phil about this latest exciting Treaty news. The journey to a Statewide Treaty for Victoria, led by First Peoples, is going to benefit everyone living in this State. And, it is going to take all of us to make Treaty a reality.     By working together we will naturally build a better future for everyone in Victoria. Treaty will therefore bring us together and will unify Victoria because we share the same values about freedom, care, family, community and equity…. The Yoorrook Justice Commission began a profound process of healing through Truth-telling thereby creating the first public record of our true history, an opportunity to understand history since colonization, and to see why Treaty is needed. This truth telling and history gathering in Victoria has enabled a ‘turning toward’ the truth of the past allowing us to start building a better and unified future together. Treaty is therefore not about division. On the contrary. Treaty is a pathway to acknowledging the past and making real practical change to achieve better outcomes for First Peoples in Victoria and close the ‘gap(s)’ once and for all. This can only benefit everyone living here in this State. Treaty won’t change any ownership laws - what’s yours today is yours tomorrow. First Peoples won’t become part of the Victorian Government either, just simply have their say in the decisions that affect Aboriginal communities. Next week the Treaty bill will be debated by the Parties in Parliament, when they resume sitting between October 14 - 16. To receive Treaty information and updates about how you can help, go to: https://fpav.good.do/victoriansupporttreaty/email-your-mp/     You can read the full Statewide Treaty text here.   Here’s what else you can do to support Treaty: Explore the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria’s website, including information on the Statewide Treaty, the Assembly, FAQs, information for allies, and a video series here.  You can find out more about the Treaty Authority via their website. They also have a Information Guide for Local Government. The Yoorrook Justice Commission website is a key resource for all who live in Victoria. Read and engage with the recommendations for your sector Read the Official Public Record – Truth Be Told Explore Yoorrook’s Video Library