Northern Tasmania Community Stories: Recent Episodes
Chris Sayer
A range of local stories that have been previously broadcasted on Launceston's community radio station City Park Radio.
The first of this year’s Friends of Theatre North Community Conversations for 2022. These conversations are insightful, fun and fascinating. First up, it’s a chat with a stalwart of the Deloraine Dramatic Society - Patricia Woods. From almost the first day of moving to Deloraine, Pat has been at the heart of Society’s productions, most notably organizing the Deloraine Festivals of One Act Plays. Listen to this Conversation with Friends, once again in partnership with Friends of Theatre North, City Park Radio is pleased to bring you “Conversations With Friends” for 2022.
Held on March 3rd, 2022, at the University of Tasmania and organised by the Launceston Historical Society, Dr Alison Alexander spoke on John West's role in the anti-transportation battle and the fight against transportation in the 1840s.
The Reverend John West was the first editorial writer with local newspaper The Examiner, that celebrates 180 years this year.
We invite you to listen to the story of John West and how his sermons and editorials brought people to the cause, how he persevered, and finally won, against the might of the British Empire.
Another insightful, fun and fascinating evening, as we go into Conversation with members of the Launceston Musical Society - celebrating the 40th anniversary of this wonderful institution. Since 1981, the Launceston Musical Society has entertained and delighted northern Tasmanian audiences with memorable productions such as Godspell, Rent, Chicago, Crazy for You and Hello Dolly! We welcome long-standing LMSers with their new(ish) production team to reflect on the past 40 years: the memories, the successes and the big changes in community theatre over that time.
Join us for another insightful, fun and fascinating morning, as we go into Conversation with Pearl Treasure (yes that is her real name)!Pearl's first appearance onstage was at the age of 5 when she danced in the Launceston competitions. Her love and participation in theatre has continued her whole life. She has danced, acted, directed and sung with many local and international artists. Her heart has always been in the theatre and she has generously passed this love on to many of her students. Pearl is delighted to be given this opportunity to reflect on her rich and varied career …. Introduced by Danny Gibson…
Hear the ceremony that awarded Olympic champion Ariane Titmus the key to the city of Launceston by Mayor Albert van Zetten, compered by Rick Fontyn and the Welcome to Country by Delia Summers. Broadcast live on City Park Radio from Civic Square on Sept 17th, 2021, with acknowledgement to Rick Fontyn, Launceston City Council, Chris Veevers from VJAM, and The Examiner (picture)
This Theatre North Conversation was recorded at the Princess Theatre, and Kerri Gay and Gabe Adkins talk about their adventures together and especially about the show Man v Dog. It’s a great insight into two special people on the Northern Tasmanian theatre scene who have toured their show to the art capitals of Tasmania, Queenstown and Penguin. You’ve probably seen Gabe in Rosehaven, Water Rats and Home and Away while Kerri appeared in The Gloaming and was a RAW Comedy State Finalist.
Eminent Tasmanian historian Henry Reynolds discusses his book Truth-Telling, First Nations sovereignty and the Uluru Statement.Presenter(s): • Professor Henry Reynolds, Historian • Professor Kate Darian-Smith, Executive Dean & Pro Vice-Chancellor, College of Arts, Law & Education • Professor Greg Lehman, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Aboriginal Leadership • Moderated by Professor Rufus Black, Vice-Chancellor If we are to take seriously the need for telling the truth about our history, we must start at first principles. What if the sovereignty of the First Nations was recognised by European international law in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries? What if the audacious British annexation of a whole continent was not seen as acceptable at the time and the colonial office in Britain understood that 'peaceful settlement' was a fiction? If the 1901 parliament did not have control of the whole continent, particularly the North, by what right could the new nation claim it? The historical record shows that the argument of the Uluru Statement from the Heart is stronger than many people imagine and the centuries-long legal position about British claims to the land far less imposing than it appears. In his latest book, Truth-Telling, influential historian Henry Reynolds pulls the rug from legal and historical assumptions, with his usual sharp eye and rigour, in a book that's about the present as much as the past. His work shows exactly why our national war memorial must acknowledge the frontier wars, why we must change the date of our national day, and why treaties are important. Most of all, it makes urgently clear that the Uluru Statement is no rhetorical flourish but carries the weight of history and law and gives us a map for the future
The Princess Theatre has been a performing arts theatre for more than 50 years. From the Australian Ballet to Godspell, Les Mis to the Phantom, we have sat under the chandelier and enjoyed a wide variety of entertainment. And yet some of the best stories happen behind the curtain, backstage, in the roof or the lighting box. In this special program, five special guests reminisce about the move of live performance from the National Theatre to the Princess and all the goings on behind the scenes.
Another in the University of Tasmania’s “Island of Ideas” series, for NAIDOC week 2021, Michael Mansell presented the Japanangka Errol West memorial lecture, and it came at a critical time in Tasmania’s history.The Tasmanian government has requested a report on a truth telling process that may lead to reconciliation and a treaty with the Aboriginal people of lutruwita.Michael Mansell outlined his views on what a Treaty might involve.
Margaret East OAM is one of Launceston's most well-known and well-loved theatre identities. With an association to the Launceston Competitions stretching back to 1947 (that's right - 74 years!!!!), Margaret has borne witness to some incredible changes in the northern Tasmanian theatre scene. ..... From Margaret: "My association with Launceston Competitions commenced in 1947 when I was dressed in full Highland Dancing gear and photographed at the Competitions ‘for fun’. I then competed in Highland Dancing sections from when I was 8 years old.I can well remember dancing at the National Theatre, going up the laneway beside Gluskie’s electrical business and being kept off the side of the stage by the strict committee ladies. There was a huge iron sliding door that separated the stage area from the waiting area.As well as learning Highland from Joan O’Neill and Pat Anderson I was also taught ballet by Miss Joan Burnett at Broadland House school buildings in Lyttleton Street. I passed some ballet examinations but did not continue with that form of dance as long as I did Highland.When my teacher was forced to retire for health reasons my friend, Gaye Anderson and I took over the class and went on to teach Highland and National to many boys and girls for 52 years. We did try to retire a couple of times but were requested to come back. We had a very happy class of students with a very supportive parent group and still keep in touch with many of them.As a dance teacher I was approached to join the Competitions Committee which was then under the leadership of Mr. Edward Wesley (Secretary) and Mr. Lewis Bardenhagen (President). Both these gentlemen taught at Launceston High School where I worked in the office as a clerical assistant. As time went on Mr. Wesley asked me to help him by typing entries and material for the competitions and when time came for him to retire in 1980 I was elected Joint Secretary with Brian Roe.Since Brian moved on I have been the Secretary ably assisted by a series of Assistant Secretaries and a wonderfully supportive committee. Although the workload gets heavy sometimes I have thoroughly enjoyed these years and am proud that Launceston Competitions is still being held, attracting entries for all genre and continuing to be quite a tradition in Launceston."
We go into Conversation with one of Australia's leading musical theatre directors - Tyran Parke. Tyran is a director, singer, producer, educator who runs his own company, Clovelly Fox Productions, is the Head of the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) Musical Theatre Program and is the new Executive Producer of the Australian Musical Theatre Festival here in Launceston. Professional Directing credits include the musicals; ‘Jekyll and Hyde’, ‘Lovebites’, ‘Cheek to Cheek’, ‘Rent’, ‘The Goodbye Girl’, ‘A Chorus Line’, ‘Hello Again’, the plays;‘Thom Pain’, ‘Pool (no water)’, ‘The Laramie Project’, ‘Great Expectations’, ‘Proof’ and the operas; ‘The ABBA Record Game’ and ‘The Fairy Queen’.Concert work includes the acclaimed ‘Rob Mills is Surprisingly Good’ ,Debra Byrne and Vika Bull in ‘Tapestry’, Caroline O’Connor’s, ‘From Broadway with Love’ and three separate national tours of ‘From Broadway to La Scala’ , over a six-year period.Other productions include the acclaimed, ‘Ordinary Days’ (Green Room Award – Best Director), ‘Big Fish’ (Broadway World and Glugg nominations- best director), Falsetto’s’, (Green Room Nomination- Best Director) and the opera ‘The Coronation of Poppea’ (Opera Chaser Award – Best director of an Opera) ‘Assassins’, ‘Into the Woods’ and ‘Follies’.Last year, Tyran directed the musical, ‘Barnum’ starring Todd McKenny and Rachael Bec.#amtf, #theatrenorth, #tyranparke, #musicals
One of Launceston's most rich and devilish theatre voices is Leigh Oswin. Leigh has been heavily involved in the Northern Tasmanian theatre sector for the past two decades, producing works with the majority of Northern Theatre Companies. Formally trained with a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre (2007) and a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts with First Class Honours (2004) from the University of Tasmania, Leigh was also an Olympic Selector for Gymnastics Australia for the Rio 2016 Olympics and is a current Judge with the Theatre Council of Tasmania.Leigh’s acting credits include Very Still & Hard to See, Anatomy of a Suicide (IO Performance), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Launceston Players), Savages (Per.sona/Mudlark), Disclosed, Shakespeare at Clarendon (Three River Theatre), Art, The Monster’s Apprentice (CentrStage), The Bridesmaid Must Die! (Ulverstone Repertory) and various One Day Projects (Mudlark).Leigh’s directing credits include Stressica (Happy Habits), It Happened One Day (Mudlark), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Launceston Musical Society), Our Town & The Season at Sarsaparilla (Three River Theatre), The Goat… or Who is Sylvia?, A Man with Five Children, The Bridesmaid Must Die! (CentrStage), Hamletmachine as well as his own Scripted, He and On the Death of Character (University of Tasmania). Leigh’s direction of Our Town was recognised by the Theatre Council of Tasmania at the 2019 Theatre Awards winning Best Director - Community Theatre.
Held in the foyer of the Princess Theatre, Launceston.Stan is one of Launceston's most respected and prolific directors.He has had some thirty-five years’ experience in Launceston’s theatrical life, at amateur, semi-professional and professional levels, working variously as director, actor, and production manager in over 40 shows. He is a life member of Three River Theatre, and his 2017 production of Twelve Angry Men for them was nominated for ten TCT Errol awards (winning five, including Best Production and Best Direction). Other directing credits include Noises Off, Waiting for Godot, Of Mice and Men, The Crucible, Cosi, The Comedy of Errors, Talley's Folly, Dead White Males, The Golden Age, amongst many others.Along the way he picked up a Grad. Dip. in Arts Management, served as a Board Member of Theatre North for seven years, and as a Committee Member of, and reviewer for, the Theatre Council of Tasmania. For many years he was on the Committee of the Launceston Film Society, of which he is a Life Member.A folk musician and multi-instrumentalist since he was a boy, he worked as a solo performer at folk clubs and festivals from his arrival to 1988, when he organised the New Holland Honey Eaters string band which continues to perform, record, and tour to this day.
Held on Friday 12 March 2021, 8pm, at the Sir Raymond Ferrall Lecture Theatre, University of Tasmania, Newnham.
Guest speaker Dr Eric Ratcliff is the author of the four volume A Far Microcosm: Building and Architecture in Van Diemen’s Land and Tasmania 1803-1914.
Just up the road from City Park Radio is Design Tasmania. Established in the mid 1970’s, this was the vision of Gary Cleveland to put Launceston on the map for excellence and promotion of Tasmanian design. He was a driving force in curating the Tasmanian Wood Collection showcasing and touring craftsmanship of Tasmanian artisans. Recently, Design Tasmania, family and friends remembered the legacy of Gary’s contribution to Launceston and wood design.
Marcus Bower was an actor, director, drama teacher, theatre reviewer, writer, committee member, and mentor to many. His passing on October 8th, 2020, was a tragic loss for the the Tasmanian theatre community. He had worked with numerous Tasmanian theatre companies during his career, including CentrStage, Launceston Players, Three River Theatre, Old Nick Company, Encore Theatre Company, and the Launceston Musical Society. Launceston community radio station City Park Radio recorded the "Celebration for Marcus" at the Princess Theatre on Friday night, November 13th, 2020. The speakers were Michael Edgar (as MC), Suzie Bower, Chris Cornish, Joyce Williamson, Stu Loone, Jeff Hockley and Stan Gottschalk.
Heat Kelly's fascinating story that lead he to create her own theatre company, and stage "Oedipus and Antigone", two of Sophocles' best known tragedies.
Recorded at the Earl Arts Centre in September 2020, under Covid social distancing requirements.
This interesting talk by Prof Tim McCormack, who is the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Tasmania, was given at the Inveresk Campus of UTAS during March, 2020. Listen to find out the link between the Red Cross, humanity in war, Afghanistan and the Carlton Football Club. The welcome is by Marion Sargent, President of the Launceston Historical Society, pictured here with Prof McCormack, who is introduced by the UTAS Northern Vice Chancellor Prof Dominic Geraghty.
Mudlark has a reputation for producing high quality theatre that is theatrically rich, socially current and emotionally complex, crafted around a Tasmanian experience. In March 2020, Mudlark will premiere a beautiful and captivating new Tasmanian work by playwright Stephanie Briarwood, as part of Theatre North’s 2020 Subscription Season. Caravan Boat Treehouse is an exploration of isolation in a world saturated with social connectivity. It reminds us of the ‘profound privilege it is to be a human being’.Introduced by Friends of Theatre North co-covenor Gina McKenzie, and facilitated by Stuart Loone, this conversation gets the inside running on this moving show, and hears from the director and actors.
This forum was recorded in August 2019, and featured four youth leaders who represented a diversity of approaches to a range of issues. It explored the importance of integrity in leadership and the capacity of youth leadership to influence wider social debates and outcomes.Presented by The Institute for the Study of Social Change, University of Tasmania. Facilitated by Prof Richard Eccleston, Director.
Dr Simon Longstaff took time out from his short visit to Launceston for the Tamar Valley Peace Festival to visit the studios of City Park Radio, the community station that he helped create over thirty years ago. Chris Sayer took the opportunity to catch up with him while he was there.
This is a recording from August 2019, featuring a facilitated discussion and Q&A session between Professor Rufus Black, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Tasmania, and Dr Simon Longstaff AO, alumnus of the University, on the power of integrity and ethics. Simon was the first Executive Director of The Ethics Centre, and is a Fellow of CPA Australia and in June 2016, was appointed an Honorary Professor at the Australian National University – based at the National Centre for Indigenous Studies.