Don't Overdue It: Recent Episodes
Mount Gambier Library
This podcast delves into the story of the Mount Gambier Library. Looking at innovations to programming, authors to local history. We invite you to join in and learn more about our work here in the library and our place within our community.
The Mount Gambier Library is a Public Library in the Limestone Coast of South Australia.
From giggles to guffaws, and chuckles to cackles, to snorts and chortles, on Tuesdays at the Mount Gambier Library we like to LAUGH.
Laughter in the Library is a Laughter Yoga program that combines fun exercises and yoga breathing techniques that stimulate your happy hormones, release stress and have positive effects on the mind and body.
There are no crazy upside-down poses, no stand-up comedy routines- just Frances, her dedicated group of Laughter Yoga enthusiasts, and for this episode, us!
Join us as we let go and belly laugh our way to feeling great this month on the Don’t Overdue It podcast.
Join us on an insightful journey as we delve into the profound influence of the Words Grow Minds Program. This initiative aims at fostering early childhood development and literacy through talking, reading, playing, and singing with your child from birth. In this episode, we discuss the role the Mount Gambier Library has played in the program and uncover the transformative power of language and literacy in shaping young minds.
His is the face that adorns the side of the theatre named in his honour, but locals and tourists alike still ask the question “Who is Sir Robert Helpmann?”
Mount Gambier born, Robert Murray Helpmann, found fame on the world stage with his prodigious talents as an actor, director, dancer and singer.
April 2024 marks the 40th Anniversary of official naming of the theatre- so join us for look at the life of Mount Gambier’s and Australia’s greatest exports - our boy Bobby.
With time comes change. One of the biggest changes over recent times is how we work. There are many factors which have contributed to the changes to our work day including the advancement in technology. For this episode we are joined by Mount Gambier locals who share the memories and stories of how a hard day’s work looked in years gone by.
In June of 1871, Mount Gambier Assistant Bailiff Thomas Garroway mysteriously disappeared when he was sent to seize the property of Carl Jung who had failed to pay a debt. What followed was a story of desperation and murder which ended with the very first execution to occur at the Mount Gambier Gaol.
We have all heard of the phrase “Its’ raining cats and dogs” but what about it raining rabbits? Well, on New Year’s Eve 1938 right here in middle of Mount Gambier in kind of did just that.
Join us for the story of Laurence Bulling, a local rabbit buyer, who with 20kg of gelignite and one heck of a grudge against his former employer, caused quite the explosive end to the year.
For those with a long history with Mount Gambier, shops and stores such as Fidler and Webb, Hustler’s and Moran and Cato are almost as iconic as the Blue Lake/Warwar itself. For this episode we are joined by long term residents of Mount Gambier as they share their stories and memories of these shops and learn how different the shopping experience was in times gone by.
Fame and infamy closely followed composer, traveling salesman and disabled war veteran Freddie Woodrow during most of his adult life.
Following his success with an album of war songs during the 1940’s, Woodrow arrived in Mount Gambier in 1951, with a song he dedicated to the Blue Lake city. A song that would raise $25,000 for the local community. But that’s not half the story.
Throw in an meeting with Phar Lap, a revolutionary toothbrush invention, and a high-profile court case and you’ve got one colourful, creative and cunning life story.
The Mount Gambier Library is a regional public library in the Limestone Coast of South Australia.
Mount Gambier local Greg Buck had a desire to create content and release it on his very own YouTube channel. The only thing stopping him was the knowledge and skills to create, edit and release his videos.
For this episode we chat with Greg to hear about his journey as a computer novice to YouTube creator releasing regular content on his channel ‘Dirty Socks.’ We talk about his journey, his content and how the Mount Gambier Library has helped him along the way.
mentalhealth #publiclibrary #travel #caravan #adventures #lifelonglearning
Dirty Socks - Greg Buck YouTube Channel
Dirty Socks - Greg Buck Facebook Page
Local medical doctor, researcher, TEDx speaker, and advocate for rural health and pathology, Dr Harry Gaffney can now add children’s author to his to his impressive CV.
Dr Harry joins us for a special Storytime featuring his debut book “Tiny Adventures Inside Me: a Journey into Microbiology” and sticks around to chat about the transition from doctor to author and how he is making microbiology fun.
Bestselling Australian author Fiona Lowe can certainly tell a story. Whether it’s a tale from her life living across Papua New Guinea, the USA and Canada, her former career as a midwife, or the sweeping sagas from her impressive list of popular novels. In this episode of the Writers on the Road series, we are joined by Fiona and her collection of fascinating, funny and surprising tales from her extensive writing career, and some behind the scenes insights into her latest novel The Money Club.
If you have ever visited the Mount Gambier Library on a Wednesday afternoon you may have had the pleasure of hearing the sounds of fun and laughter echoing throughout the library. The chances are that this joy is coming from the Headspace LINK Group. For several years this group of 18 – 25 year old’s have made regular visits to the Mount Gambier Library and Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre for a wide range of activities. Join us for this episode as we talk to members of the group as well as key people who have made the partnership between the Mount Gambier Library and Headspace Mount Gambier a great success.
Moments before stepping onstage here at the Mount Gambier Library to launch her latest novel The Women’s’ Pages, internationally best selling Australian author and crowd favourite Victoria Purman joins us for the third instalment of the "Writers on the Road" series.
Victoria, with her trademark warmth and humour, shares with us her fascinating research and writing processes, her inspiration, and a glimpse of life in 1950’s Australia.
In April of 1965, then Mount Gambier resident John Butler told his story to The Border Watch of not only surviving the sinking of the Titanic but his role of quartermaster and being put in charge of Lifeboat 7. However over time experts have questioned his story as much of his tale does not match up with official records or known events of the disaster. Join us for this episode as we explore Mr. Butler’s tale and discuss whether he was a Titanic survivor or gigantic liar.
Join us for our second episode of our Writers on the Road series as we chat to Tricia Stringer just moments before her recent book launch at the Mount Gambier Library to promote her title ‘Keeping Up Appearances’. We chat about Tricia’s journey to bestselling and award-winning author and find out being a successful author is much more than just writing books.
On Wednesday February 16th 1983, much of southern Australia faced the deadliest bushfires in Australia’s history. More than 180 fires swept across South Australia and Victoria destroying 2,000 homes and claiming the lives of 75 people.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Ash Wednesday Bushfires, a day that remains imprinted in the memories who were witness to the ferocity and devastation. In this episode we speak to a variety of locals who share their memories of that horrific day.
Key Topics:
Bushfires, Ash Wednesday, South Australia, Victoria, Disaster, Tarpeena, Mount Gambier, History, Emergency, Forest fires.
They say time changes everything and this is accurate when we think of the Leg of Mutton Lake (Yatton-Loo). Over the years this site has changed from a water filled lake to beautiful park lands several times over. One thing has remained constant, no matter what the water level this site has remained a place of great beauty. Join us this episode as we hear some of the stories and memories of how the lake has been enjoyed by locals over the years.
Working in the criminal justice system gives debut Australian author Mercedes Mercier a unique insight into the world of prisons, crime and offenders.
The first in our Writers on The Road series, we caught up with Mercedes before her recent book launch at the Mount Gambier Library, where we discusses reading, writing and life on the publicity circuit.
Managed by the Mount Gambier Lakes Rotary Club, The Library Markets transform the Cave Garden/Thugi into a bustling community festival on the 2nd Sunday of the month between November and February each year.
Featuring local art and craft, produce, food, and entertainment, the December Christmas market is the biggest and most popular of all, attracting upwards of 80 stalls and thousands of patrons. In this episode we take a wander around the markets, chatting to organisers, volunteers and stall holders and uncovering all the ingredients in its wild success.
Keywords: Mount Gambier, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Local Government, Community, Library, Lakes Rotary Clubs, Arts, Crafts, Markets.
2022 marks the 63rd year of the Mount Gambier Christmas Parade, with the floats and spectators returning to Commercial Street for the first time since the pandemic began.
This beloved community event attracts spectators by the thousands, and celebrates not only Christmas, but togetherness and community spirit.
But what does it take to coordinate Mount Gambier’s largest community event of the year? How do you reinvent the parade to make it COVID safe? And where did this well-loved Community event all begin?
In this episode we chat to the Team Leader of Community Events for the City of Mount Gambier Xarnia Keding, director of the Lions Club of Mount Gambier Brass Band Festival Mr Allen Woodham, and the woman who literally wrote the book on the history of the parade Lynne Lowe, as well as a hand full of library staff who were kind enough to share their own personal memories.
We are going to take a step back in time to a cold Mount Gambier winter in 1875. This tale not only ends in the brutal murder of a popular young woman but also one of three executions ever to take place at the Mount Gambier Gaol.
Keywords: Mount Gambier, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Local Government, Community, Lake Terrace Cemetery, Local History, Mystery, Murder, True Crime, Mount Gambier Gaol.
In 2019 the Mount Gambier Library sat down with a number of older Mount Gambier residents to recorded their memories as part of the Immersive Storytelling Project. One of the very popular topics of conversation was when The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh came to Mount Gambier as apart of their Australia Tour in February 1954.
To mark the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we present this mini-episode of Don't Overdue It. This episode features the voices of nine locals who were all in attendance on the day The Queen came to town.
Thank you to our participants: Liz Vears, the late Albert Neal, Julienne Feast, the late Geoff Gabriel, the late Kevin Harris, Maxine Shephard, Noela Hellyer and the late Jeff Dixon ,and Jill Dixon for their stories.
For over 13 years the Friends of the Library Mount Gambier (FOL) have been champions in their role of supporting and promoting our Library services, and engaging with the wider community through sponsorship and funding initiatives.
In this episode we speak to FOL President Chris Lloyd, and long-time volunteer John Cranwell who discuss the groups activities, achievements and how to turn 10,000 second hand books, DVDs and puzzles into the biggest fundraiser of the year.
Season 2 Episode 8
For more than a decade the School Holiday Program at the Mount Gambier LIbrary has been a staple on our events calendar, providing entertainment and education to our younger community members.
This month we catch up with the Children and Youth Services team to discover the fun, mess and madness that is the school holidays library-style.
Bestselling Australian author Maya Linnell is a former country journalist and radio host turned rural fiction author and has recently joined us at the Mount Gambier Library to launch her fourth novel Paperbark Hill.
Maya also loves Libraries, so we have pulled her aside to find out when the love affair begun, the role libraries have played in her life and her new podcast partnership with the Libby by Overdrive App- Library Lovers with Maya Linnell.
Looking for one of Maya's books? Wildflower Ridge, Bottlebrush Creek, Magpie's Bend and Paperbark Hill are all available in multiple formats. Check out the Mount Gambier Library website to place a hold.
Maya has her own website at www.mayalinnell.com where you can read her blog, see wonderful recipes and keep up to date on all her latest news.
On the 25th of January 2022, Mount Gambier woke up to something we were not expecting. Our much loved Crater Lakes area was on fire. The fire was eventually brought under control with the hard work of 150 fire crew but not before burning 50 hectares of grass and scrub.
In this episode we discuss the role of Council in an event such as this, the road forward to recovery, and uncover the history of previous fires at the same site.
Key words: Bush fire, Grass Fire, Limestone Coast, South Australia, Blue Lake, Valley Lake, Green Triangle, Bush Fire Recovery, Eucalyptus, Native Vegetation, Local Council, Local Government. Community, Volunteering, CFS, MFS, Local History, Oral History.
Volunteering brings people together, builds communities and creates a better society for everyone. Commencing on Monday the 16th of May, National Volunteer Week gives us the chance to recognise the vital work of volunteers and show our appreciation.
Join us for this episode of ‘Don’t Overdue It’ as we discuss the Mount Gambier Library Volunteer Program and catch up with some of our wonderful volunteers to discuss what volunteering means to them and the friendships that have formed as a result of their valuable contributions to the Library and the Community.
When Jane Byrne’s children set her a task in her retirement to create a cookbook from their grandmothers Rita's recipes, she had all the ingredients except one. The basic computer skills to create a book.
With the help of weekly computer lessons at the Mount Gambier Library, Jane set to work, week after week to type the loose pages of faded hand written recipes, memories and photographs into a precious family keepsake. Jane’s story is a celebration of family, food and lifelong learning, and just may be the inspiration others need to get their own project off the ground.
On the eve of Adelaide Writers’ Week, Library Book Club coordinator Susan Briffa has gathered together some of her favourite reading enthusiasts to chat about the books currently on their bedside tables.
We also spend time with to two local authors, Library staff member Jacqui Davies, and former radio broadcaster Stan Thompson and ask them about their own journeys from readers to published writers.
Let’s make the most of the good weather and take a walk through the garden- but not just any garden- a State Heritage listed garden surrounding a sinkhole in the middle of Mount Gambier. This guided tour of the Thuggi/Cave Garden shares the social history of the area and tells the story of its landmarks- some that have been on display for more than 100 years, and some long forgotten.
Topics Include: Local History, Oral History, Sir Robert Helpmann, Percy Browne, Jens Hotel, Swimming Baths, Captain Robert Gardiner, A.F Laurie, Vansittart Park, Town Hall, District Council of Mount Gambier, Radio 5SE, National Bank, Stephen Henty
We all know that a library can loan out books and DVDs but how can your library get you out and enjoying the sun this summer? Join us as we discuss the City of Mount Gambier Bike Hire initiative and the beautiful cycling opportunities in our region for all ages and levels of fitness and experience. If cycling isn’t your cup of tea, listen in as we talk to Ryan Nicholson, a member of Mount Gambier Disc Golf and learn about this exciting pastime.
To learn more about the local Mount Gambier Disc Golf Club, visit https://mgdg.com.au.
This month we introduce you to Books In Homes, another of our very successful, long running library programs. Books In Homes is charitable organisation that creates partnerships between community members, the Library and selected local schools and kindergartens that provides kids with brand new books they can select and keep. Join us as we chat to some of the adults and kids involved in this wildly successful program and discuss its purpose and importance in our community.
For more information on the Books in Homes Program visit https://booksinhomes.com.au.
Book Well is a program created by bibliotherapist Dr Susan McLaine. Using books, photographs and newspaper articles it invites people to reminisce about days gone by, promoting memories, discussion and general wellbeing. Here at the Mount Gambier Library our Book Well program includes residents from local aged care facilities and other community groups.
In this episode we talk to Library staff member Susan Briffa, Bookwell coordinator since its inception just over a decade ago. Susan discusses the joy she takes from running this program, her most memorable moments, and just what it takes to start a good conversation.
We are also joined by Maxine, a long time participant and contributor to the Bookwell program.
It’s October and that means Halloween is just around the corner. When we think of Halloween many of us think of our favourite scary movies, scary costumes, trick or treating and other American customs and traditions. However, our region has its own share of UFO, ghost, monster and other supernatural stories.
Join us for this episode as we discuss some of the spooky unexplained events in our local region. We are also joined by ghost hunters from Adelaide’s Haunted Horizons Ghost Tours for a bit of a chat.
Join us this month for part 2 of ‘Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds’ as we continue exploring the significance of our caves and sinkholes.
This episode we take a step back in time and discover how vastly different attitudes were towards or geographical features than what is the case today. We are then joined by Mandy Telfer, Senior Visitor Services Officer at the Mount Gambier Visitor Centre to discuss how important our caves are for our tourism and what makes our region a must-see for cavers and explorers of all levels, ages, and abilities. Finally, we couldn’t possibly talk about caves and sinkholes without talking about our very own children’s cave here within the Mount Gambier Library.
Mount Gambier Visitor Centre
Les Hill Photographic Collection
Jumping on the Book Week 2021 theme ‘Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds’, this episode of Don’t Overdue It takes us to the ‘Other World’ right beneath our feet here in Mount Gambier as we explore the caves and sinkholes of the region.
The Mount Gambier region in the South East of South Australia is a mecca for cave diving enthusiasts of all levels of experience. From police training to the first time snorkeler, this area has something for everyone. But as we found out, this is something us locals are pretty unaware of!
Join us as we chat to local experts who explain the uniqueness of our local environment, the thrill of underwater exploration and discovery, and just why it’s a world class destination for cave divers.
If you have ever visited the Mount Gambier Library on a Sunday morning, the joyful strums of a ukulele choir would be a very familiar soundtrack.
Since its humble beginnings in 2019, the Mount Gambier Library has been home to the 'Lukuleles' an enthusiastic group of ukulele players from all walks of life who meet each week at the Library to strum and chat and just have a really good time.
This month's episode we catch up with the group and talk about music, the friendships and appeal of this humble little instrument, and how it has created a community in its own right at the Library.
Physicist, explosives engineer, soldier, stand-up comedian, science advisor, cave diver, author and astronaut candidate for a one way trip to Mars, Josh Richards has certainly got some stories to tell.
We were lucky enough to have Josh as our special guest to talk all things SPACE for this year’s National Simultaneous Storytime event held here at the Mount Gambier Library.
After tackling the hard questions from an audience of 100 school children, we asked Josh to stick around and chat with us for Episode 2 of Don’t Overdue It. Join us as we discuss space exploration, giant koala costumes, and most importantly ask the question, why on earth would you want to live on Mars?
Music by: Stealth Scape - Awakening
As part of Library and Information Week we take a step back in time to explore Mount Gambier's largely unknown Meischel Park, formerly known as the Boandik Lutheran Cemetery. Join as as we discuss the story of this cemetery and those interred there.
Resources Used in Research of this Episode
Seeds of Blessings: History of the Lutheran Church in Mount Gambier by St Martins Lutheran Church Incorporated 2012
Seventieth Anniversary of St. Martins Evangelical Lutheran Church Mount Gambier 1862 – 1932
Lake Terrace Cemetery Conservation Management Plan 2007
Mount Gambier The City Around A Cave by Les Hill 1972
The Border Watch Newspaper, South Australian Register, Evening Journal, The Adelaide Observer via TROVE.
Music by Pixabay MusicA Better Tomorrow- Astrofreq
Happy Go Lucky- Astrofreq
Cancion Triste - Enrique27nevada
Carried by the Wind- Bluemount Score