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 #147

Vale Gypsy Artemis xxx From 12 years ago: Death Café, The Feed – YouTube

The rebirth of deathcare – ABC’s Long Read

Legalised joint human and pet burials in Victoria will become law soon thanks to George Purcell from the Animal Justice Party. Deborah from Oscar’s Law and Castlemaine Cemetery was also instrumental in making this happen.

The Medical History Museum has reopened in its new home at 233 Bouverie Street, Carlton. It is a free museum for those inquisitive about medicine's contribution to scientific discovery and community wellbeing. The current exhibition is Cultural Medicine: The Art of Indigenous Healing on until 10 July 2026.

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

Good2Go presents - Swedish Death Cleaning vs EVERYTHING (the shed) - performed by Delia Olam. Wesley Hill Hall, Castlemaine, Sun 26 Oct, 3:30-5:30pm. Tickets $20/$25. Book HERE

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

TRACKS: Dance to the Beat – Silicone Prairie / Never Gonna Sleep – Free Kitten

DEAD AIR #146

What is an Emotional/Living Will? – Proveda D2KD

Dying Fat: Your Funeral Options – The Order of The Good Death

The Lonely Funeral Project The network of Dutch poets who come together to celebrate the life of the lonely dead.

BOOK: The Lonely Funeral - Poets at the Gravesides of the Forgotten by Maarten Inghels & F. Starik - Booktopia

Mt Alexander Seniors Festival 2025 -

End of Life Planning with Hayley West. Join independent death worker and end-of-life consultant - me! Hayley West, for an information session around how we can approach death with creativity, care, and a lighter footprint. Explore meaningful alternatives, from living wakes to natural burials and end-of-life rituals. Discover how we, as a community, can reshape our relationship with death. Wed 15 Oct, 10-11am. Book HERE.

Planning Ahead presented by Seniors Rights Victoria. This free Planning Ahead session presents information in a simple and interactive way on Enduring Powers of Attorney, Supportive Attorney and Medical Decision Making. During the session, participants will commence an Advance Care Directive. Thu 16 Oct, 10-11:30am. Book HERE.

Digital Legacy Planning with Donna Steven Donna from the Goldfields Libraries talks you through creating a digital legacy plan to help your family manage your digital assets when you are no longer able to. Fri 17 Oct, 2-3pm. Book HERE.

Wills & Wishes with ARC Justice an informative session designed to connect you with the information and knowledge you need to make for crucial decisions about your health and finances. Wills, Powers of Attorney, Advance Care Directives & elder abuse. Mon 20 Oct 10:30am-12pm. Book HERE.

AHFA presents: Skeletons in the Closet: The Ossuaries of Europe with Cat Irving. Mon 13 Oct, 7-8.30pm AEDT online, free. Info HERE

Good2Go presents - Swedish Death Cleaning vs EVERYTHING (the shed) - performed by Delia Olam. Wesley Hill Hall, Castlemaine, Sun 26 Oct, 3:30-5:30pm. Tickets $20/$25. Book HERE

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

TRACKS: Egyptian Kings – Brainticket / Strawberry – Moses Gunn Collective