DEAD AIR #148

Today is my father’s birthday, he would have been 79 years old, instead, he died in 1995 at 49 years old, that’s 30 years ago. He missed the digital revolution, social media, marriage equality, and the rise of the climate crisis. I miss his humour, his kindness, and his vast, generous heart. John West you are remembered every day. X

According to author and storyteller Mark Oxbrow “Aussie rules was first played in Melbourne in 1859; NRL was founded in 1997; the Sydney Harbour Bridge opened in 1932 and Federation was in 1901. And Halloween? It was first celebrated in Australia in Castlemaine, Victoria, in October 1858.” Meet the ‘Puddlers’ - History of Halloween, Hallozween

What Halloween means for Australia – The University of Sydney

GUESTS: Caroline Grainger & Jasmine Cadman from Grainger Legal talking about Executors of Wills.

The Wall of Death at Merchants of Mostyn! An exhibition of small works nestled into the nooks in the wall of niches in the eclectic and wonderful Merchants of Mostyn, works selected by Nicola and myself. THIS Friday 31 Oct, 6-8pm, 107 Mostyn St, Castlemaine.

Castlemaine Fringe presents Haunted Halloween at The Old Castlemaine Gaol, live music and DJ's, dress ups encouraged! THIS Friday 31 Oct, 7:30-11pm. Book HERE

Lifting The Lid International Festival of Death & Dying - 72 hours of conversations, workshops, art, and connection as we continue to open up vital, life-affirming dialogues about death and dying.14 - 16 Nov 2025, info & tickets HERE

TRACKS: Ghost of Love - David Lynch / Atomic Bomb - Hot Chip

DEAD AIR #137

‘DYING TO KNOW’ AUGUST EVENTS SPECIAL

THIS WEEK - - - - -  >

Fireside funeral chat with Celebrant Beverly Risstrom. Wed 6 Aug 2-3pm Inglewood Library Agency Thur 7 Aug, 2-3pm Kangaroo Flat Library

AHFA presents: Technology Supports for Community Care - Simon Lowe (The Ageing Revolution), Colin Pudsey (SilVR), Holly Smith (Public Health Palliative Care Unit) and Catherine Ashton (Critical Info). Wed 6 Aug, 7-8.30pm AEST online: register HERE

Delve into Buddhism, Good Grief Lounge - Northern Arts Hotel, Fri 8 Aug 11am-1pm Register HERE

The Mourning After Exhibition and Public Program, 24 July-20 Sept, RMIT Design Hub, Melbourne. Details HERE / Wed 6 Aug, 11.30am-1pm - Grief Guide: Your 3AM Friend workshop with Evonne Miller, co -design an AI-powered grief support tool. / Thu 7 Aug, 11.30am-1pm - Writing Through Eco Grief workshop with The Grief Cocoon founder Gabriella Georges. / Fri 8 Aug, 11.30am-1pm - Mapping Climate Feelings workshop for young people with Linda Knight, Larissa Hjorth and Tamara Borovica.

NDAN Presents: Memento Mori: The Art of Contemplating Death to Live a Better Life with Author and Morbid Anatomy Museum founder Joanna Ebenstein. Sat 9 Aug, 9-11am AEST, book HERE

COMING SOON - - - - -  >

Reimagining Death with me Hayley West! Kyneton Library Thursday 14 August, 2-3pm - book HERE Castlemaine Library Thursday 14 August, 5.30-6.30pm - book HERE

BAT MASSIVE XL: Guided Tour Sat 16 Aug 3pm. Presented by Abbotsford Convent, Wildlife Victoria, 3RRR + MAPPA. Book HERE

The Death Dialogues - Calling All Men. Sun 31 Aug, 9:30am-10:30am AEST online, book HERE

NORTHERN BOOKS - SAVE THE DATE - Sat 13 Sept, 2pm. ‘The Power of Choice’ book discussion, Buda House, Castlemaine.

LISTEN BACK - - - - - > ABC Nightlife - What songs do you want played at your funeral? Death literacy advocate Hayley West joins Lisa Pellegrino to discuss why you should start planning your funeral now. Listen HERE

TRACKS: High Command – Earth / Psunspot – Kanaan / Raglan – Grace Cummings / Choc-A-Bloc - Anika

No live DEAD AIR :(

Have you heard? MAINfm is currently homeless! The Old Hospital at Halford Street, our station home, has been flooded due to a burst water main - but thanks to the dedication and tenacity of our technical team, we are still on the air!

You’ll still hear DEAD AIR on the airwaves with prerecorded shows, but I won’t be live in the studio for the foreseeable future.

We are broadcasting remotely, which means you will notice disruptions to our regular programming.

Our staff and volunteers are working hard to source solutions, and we hope to find a temporary home. In the meantime, thanks for your patience and for sticking with us. We’ll be back with regular programming soon.

Check out our Instagram or Facebook for updates - and you can always listen back to old shows on MixCloud