Radical Australia

This episode features Suad Rejk, a Sudanese Australian immigrant who strives for success in every one of her fields. An active member of the Merri-bek community, Suad has called Australia home for nearly two decades and speaks both Arabic and English. Through her role as a Community Connector, she is passionate about giving back to the community that has supported her and her family over the years. Dedicated to helping people feel a sense of belonging, confidence, and support, Suad works closely with community members, particularly newly arrived families to connect them with local resources and opportunities. In this conversation, she shares her experiences, her commitment to strengthening community ties, and the importance of fostering understanding across cultures.

youtube @tonymillmanWeb www.tonymillman.comtonymillman.bandcamp.comInsta @tony.millmanFace @tony.sklmc

Interview with the effervescent Madison Moffat

www.checkerboardlounge.com.au

* West Papuan refugee - twenty years later

***Content & language warning*** www.endstripsearching.com - for everything FIGJAMPLEASE sign the petition to end prison strip searches www.sheisme.com.au - readable, honest stories of women rebuilding after prison; accounts of courage, hope, healing and community. www.thetorch.org.au - an online exhibition, where all formerly incarcerated mob sell their artwork FIRST PEOPLES SUPPORT13YARN:  13 92 76 (13yarn.org.au)Yarning Safe'n'Strong:  1800 959 563 SEXUAL ASSAULT/VIOLENCE1800 RESPECT:  1800 737 732  (1800respect.org.au)Safe Steps:  1800 015 188  (safesteps.org.au)FullStop Australia:  1800 385 578  (fullstop.org.au) ALCOHOL/DRUGSDirectLine:  1800 888 236  (directline.org.au)Turning Point:  1800 250 015  (turningpoint.org.au)

* Shelly Van Derwerff is a member of the Climate Change choir, and a thorn in the side of the local council as she petitions for Tram accessible stops along Sydney Road, Brunswick, in Melbourne's inner north.* She is a member of The Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP), an international network of independent not-for-profit grass-roots volunteer groups offering experiential workshops on self-awareness and creative conflict transformation in prisons, schools, and the wider community.* Shelly Van Derwerff is a practising occupational therapist.

Virginia Heywood joins Dr Joseph Toscano in the studios for Radical Australia this week. One of the beloved hosts of the long-running 3CR Gardening Show, Virginia has a fascinating life story that spans grassroots community life, political engagement and a deep commitment to public broadcasting.From the streets of Hackney to working in the House of Commons in London, Virginia’s journey reflects a lifelong engagement with ideas, activism and community. Her father, Doug Heywood, was a radio commentator best known for sports broadcasting, including the footy, and after returning to Australia Virginia has continued this family tradition. She now broadcasts weekly on 3CR, interviewing a wide range of gardening experts and sharing practical and political perspectives on how we relate to land and place.Beyond radio, Virginia is a guide at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and runs a small organisation, the Plant Trust, which works to preserve significant ornamental garden plants in Australia. Listen in to learn about Virginia's life story and tune into the 3CR Gardening Show every Sunday 7.30am - 9.15am on 3CR.

Climate Choir Melbourne is a community choir using collective voices to confront the climate emergency and inspire action. The choir performs at demonstrations, campaigns, launches and public meetings, as well as staging regular pop-up performances in public spaces.Led by director Jeannie Marsh and supported by alternate conductors and a small band, Climate Choir Melbourne is open to everyone, no auditions required. The choir rehearses roughly monthly in Abbotsford, with all members volunteering their time. In this episode,  the Climate Choir Melbourne perform live in the studio and chat between songs with Dr Joseph Toscano and 3CR Music Coordinator Joe Malignaggi. Listen in to hear how music is being used as a powerful tool for climate justice, community building and public engagement.To book the Climate Choir Melbourne or to join in, email [email protected] or call Robert on 0409 850 814. Donations are welcome to help cover running costs.Thank you to volunteer tech Tilde Joy and volunteer studio anchor William McGroarty for their technical production of this episode of Radical Australia. Songs performed by Climate Choir MelbourneWe honour the LandDo it nowElectrifySolidarityDashing from the FireAway in the ArcticDeck the StateBye bye GasWhen the RainsWe're using Sunshine

Sofie Prints is one of Melbourne’s best comedians. Thank you for Sophie for coming in on the program and sharing their story.

Endie Van Binsbergen talks about her book The Stowaway, from Sorong to Rotterdam.Sampari Korwa sings in his band Oceanikz. You can find him on Instagram, Spotify and YouTube.

Political ScientistFormer Journalist & ScreenwriterAnd researcher, Co-writer of The Dismissal, TV mini-series that screened in 1983 Socials,Facebook: Sally GibsonX: sally_gibson1Instagram: sally.gibson.7568

Joe Toscano with the late Father Bob Maguire (Repeat)

Eve ScarfePeace Brigade Central AmericaLife Long Activist for Peace and JusticeRelevant piece of text says: Mercenaries Evelin Mery Scarfe, of Great Britain, and Stephanie Victoria Groebel of United States, were taking refuge in CRIPDES (Christian Committee for Displaced People of El Salvador) when arrested.The newspaper El Diario de Hoy (Today’s News) dated 21 April 1989.

Uniting Church MinisterChaplain to West Papuan office Melbourne

Danny CondonComedianEntertainerSinger of the band Father Daddy

Activist Extraordinaire

Joe Toscano interviews Andonis Kyriacou, aka Tony. Barrister.

Alan CuthbertsonPhD in Physics and Climate Activist

Joe Toscano talking with Denise Hassett

Kerry Crossley’s Limerick Fight Back

Guests from the West Papuan office, Christopher Lynch and Gipson Suu.

Presenter Joe Toscano interviews Laurie Turner about his life.

Part 2Joe Toscano interviews Drew Hutton

Joe Toscano interviews Drew Hutton

Joe Toscano interviews Hank Ferguson

Joe Toscano interviews the inspiring Brad Homewood and Violet Coco. https://www.instagram.com/bradhomewoodhttps://www.instagram.com/violet_coco_canary

Joe Toscano talks with special guest Louise Byrne.

Joe Toscano talking with the amazing Achut Thuc.

Joe Toscano interviews Ben WintleOMAZONE Website - http://www.omazone.com.auOmazone on Bandcamp - https://omazone.bandcamp.comYou Tube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtXReIy0V6kjc8au_FYnN4gSoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/omazone01/sets/enjoy-the-revolutionInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/omazonemusic/?hl=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/omazonemusicSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3VAARfVOFTOT12UIUD22eX?si=TfwyCDduQc2auUD7fcFIDA

Genre - TruckabillyHome SchooledGrew up in Bungola

Tax ExpertLecturer

Colonial Truth TellerConnected to Myall Creek Ceremony Committee

*Retired Legal Aid Lawyer*Single Mother*Extraordinary Intangible Asset

Enviromental ActivistVietnam Veteran

Indigenous Activist and Comedian.

Linda Marks is an environmental activist and previous presenter with 3CR's popular longstanding program on nuclear, peace and energy issues - The Radioactive Show.  She's a retired secondary teacher and and life long unionist, now retired member of the Australian Education Union.

Lifelong trade unionist born in Melbourne in 1952. Australian Telecommunication Employees Association now called the Communications Workers Union. Ian, an extra-parliamentary activist for many years is making the most of his retirement.

3CR's royal family member, our very own Queen of Training, Leanne McLean, joins us on the show this week. We got Leanne on to talk to us about her health journey the last few years since she returned from the traditional cheese makers in Georgia, just before the pandemic. Leanne's life changed significantly at that point and she educates us on what her cancer journey has been like the last few years. Queen Leanne McLean. We love you and thank-you for gracing us in the studio this week.3CR friends in the courtyard this week (l-r): Joe Malignaggi, Kelly Whitworth, Leanne McLean and Joe Toscano

'Life and Politics is bumpy', so says Janet McCalman AC, a super smart lady born in 1948 who has been a lifelong Labor Party supporter and fabulous historian-writer here in Melbourne. Janet's books include 'Struggle Town' (1984), 'Journeyings', (1993) a story about class and education along the 67 tram, to 'Sex and Suffering'. Her family has French roots in North Africa and WWI created a big trauma line through it. Her parents met through the Communist Party. Janet came on, in part, to let us know about the Labor Academy, an independent group supporting traditional labor values. She says Labor people are terrific human beings. The Academy's latest little red book is '12 things you need to know about Labor'. It was published in January this year. It's highly accessible and includes chapters like 'Doing stuff together: collectivism and the social contract'. We look forward to taking a look at that and we thank Janet very much for joining us this week.laboracademyvic.au

She's finding ways to keep culture and dreaming alive in an urban environment. She's nothing short of blak royalty. Joining us in the house this week is the one and only, Shiralee Hood: young sports star turned actress and storyteller. Wowee. Tune in for this first installment of the life of the young girl born in the year the Yarra exploded under Melbourne, who went on to be a little gun basketballer, to an amazing actress, course designer and all-round deadly legend. We can't wait to hear the rest of Shiralee's story when she returns real soon, just in time for her show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Check out the link for those details. Thank-you, Shiralee, for this first chat with us on Radical Australia!yirramboi.com.au/program/blakyard-one-night-stand-with-shiralee-hood-and-friends

Aprilia Seseray is a super smart auditor who volunteers at the West Papua office in Docklands. She was born among mountains, lakes and forest fruits and then at some stage she moved to Yogyakarta, Indonesia, for studies. It was a totally different culture, different language and different food from her homeland. Aprilia was bullied every single day throughout high school, but she succeeded despite the odds, and now has a Masters of Auditing from Monash. It was fascinating to hear her story. Thank-you for joining us this week, Aprilia.

Greer McGearey is the president of Seahorse Victoria, a safe social support group for trans people, and when she is not doing that she is the host of Conversations on Bent TV, Channel 31. Greer was born in Deniliquin. Her father was a dental technician. She was one of 5 boys and was an athlete, running all the distances. Greer was a public servant for over 17 years in the Department of Civil Aviation and raised 4 children. She started transitioning at 50 with the help of both Seahorse and the Monash Gender Clinic. We loved having Greer on the show this week. We hope you enjoy our conversation with her. Thank-you, Greer.https://ctvplus.org.au/series/bent-tv/https://seahorsevic.com.au/

Sirani McNeill is passionate about disability governance and is a current board member with Disability Justice Australia. She has formerly worked with Women With Disabilities Victoria and the Disabilities Resources Centre. Sirani says that disability organisations need to do a better job of hiring disability peers to properly shape their governance and policies. Going back in time, Sirani started out her life adopted from Thailand at a very young age by her parents who were French and Kiwi. She has lived in Paris and New Zealand. In her life post-high school, Sirani has encountered many instances of bro culture in the tech industry and corporate environment as she has moved from internship to internship and a lot of job hopping, a common experience as a person with a disability. Sirani is deaf and on the autism spectrum. She loves her Cat, Bella, and is really into cyber security. In 2024 she contributed to 3CR's International Day of People With Disability (Employment Difficulties for Disabled People). We wish Sirani well in all her endeavours and thank her for joining us on the show this week.3cr.org.au/disabilityday2024Disability Justice Australia - dja.org.auWomen with Disabilities Victoria - wdv.org.auDisability Resources Centre - drc.org.auSirani and Joe chatting in Studio One at 3CR.Sirani at 3CR.

Madison Moffat is our latest guest in the squeaky chair and we are very pleased to have her. Madison is a trans activist with Trans Justice Alliance Victoria and has an open letter with three very important demands for Victoria Police. They converge around common police policies and practises. Madison was born in Sydney to a teen Mum and lived in a public housing tower before the family moved to Narrabri. She had a hard time at school, being neuro a-typical, but not really knowing anything about that back then. All she knew was that she was frustrated with the school system as it was. Madison embarked on her own independent life at the age of 16, having a commercial cookery apprencticeship, before moving into the corporate world for many years where she thrived as 'the guru'. There is much to her story there. Madison eventually had a serious breakdown, a crisis of self, if you will. She has eventually found a happier place inside and in the world these days, transitioning during COVID-19, and now flourishing as a trans activist and 3CR broadcaster on Queering the Air. Madison is smart and funny and we really enjoyed talking to her. Thanks, Madison. Keep up the important work you are doing and for inspiring us all!Queering the Air, Sundays 3pm to 4pm, 3cr.org.au/queeringtheairfacebook.com/groups/thetranscreatorfacebook.com/transsistersunited

Keiran Stewart-Assheton is our guest this week and he is the founder of the Black People's Union, a union that set out to represent First Nations tour guides, dancers and ceremonial performers, among others, filling the gaps of existing trade unions. It has grown into something even greater. Keiran's family are Yuin nation, around Nowra (NSW), but he has lived all over, starting out in Adelaide and then quite a bit of time in the ACT. Keiran was born in 1992, played 'all the sports' growing up, and was very successful academically. It was poignant to hear his reflections on the Left here in Naarm and you can catch more of Keiran on his show Yillam, Wednesdays 12pm to 1pm, here on 3CR. If you are in town this Sunday, Keiran encourages you to get down to Camp Sovereignty at 5am for a dawn service to honour those buried there. 3CR will have live coverage of the day, so tune in. We thank Keiran for joining us this week and we wish him well in all the areas of his life. Thank-you, Keiran.blackpeoplesunion.orgYillamin - Wednesdays 12pm to 1pm on 3CRKieran with Uncle Robbie Thorpe in the 3CR courtyard, 2024.

John Tait has just come back from a voyage to New Zealand's sub-Antartic Islands and his knees are paying for it! When not adventuring, John works with James and Em on The Sporting Record, addressing issues of equality and justice through the prism of sport. The issues that arise are seemingly endless. John and friends continue a long tradition of sport shows here on 3CR and you can catch them for the full hour on Thursdays at 3:30pm. Going back a bit, John started life in Balwyn where his parents were neighbours, but progressed to Essendon and played on the highway when it was being built. He went on a long spiritual journey for many years, delving into the Franciscans and Liberation Theology, among other creeds. He gained a theology degree. He held many positions of work within the broad Catholic Church. At some stage, he left that life behind and now dwells in the Church of Kindness. When not busy with radio, John is a second-hand CD seller with a shop in Essendon. You wouldn't be surprised to learn that Essendon is his AFL team as well. Nobody is perfect, but we are very happy to have John at 3CR as he loves radio and we love him. Thank-you for chatting with us this week, John, and we hope your knees recover for your next adventure!The Sporting Record - Thursdays 3:30pm to 4:30pm - 3cr.org.au/thesportingrecord

Jenny Hickinbotham comes from a NAME in the wine industry in Australia, with her father bringing Wolf Blass into the country and seeing the move from sherry drinking to other refreshments like Pineapple Pearl. Her father was what they call a 'plonker'. Jenny grew up in the Barossa Valley and was an outgoing, bossy kid, from all accounts, but she doesn't have that many memories from that time. Jenny started hearing voices in her head from the age of about 27, and years later, with the right support, she was able to trace this back to the trauma she experienced as a young girl on her way home from school. Jenny has done many things in her life, from Teacher's College here and in Europe (hello Earl's Court!), viticulture, creative writing and librarian certification. At some stage, she was also introduced to the world of peer advocacy and met many people like herself. She learnt how to tell her story and listen to others. Jenny has a little red book of stories, song and imagery from her trip by car with her two doggies from Melbourne to Darwin, titled East to West with Fight, Flight, Freeze, and we get to hear a couple of her tracks. We had a lot of laughs with Jenny and she was a fabulous guest. We thank her for sharing some of her story with us this week.jennyhickinbotham.infoJeJenny and Joe in the 3CR courtyard.