DEAD AIR #153

PSA a few tears in this episode xxx

Support and wellbeing guidance following the Bondi Beach incident on 14 December 2025. Understand common reactions and find ways to cope and get help. You don't have to work through this alone. It doesn’t matter how you were impacted by the Bondi Beach shooting, talking to someone about how you’re feeling can really help. If you want a safe and friendly space to talk it through, Lifeline is here 24/7 via 13 11 14, text, and chat. Lifeline resources can be found HERE.

'He's been buried twice': Why John had to open his brother's grave after 49 years – SBS News

3rd Death Literacies Symposium will take place in Breda (The Netherlands) on 9 & 10 March 2026. The programme includes keynotes on innovative approaches of death literacy and end-of-life care, special sessions for early career researchers, space to explore research and practical developments together. Register your interest HERE.

Last Farewells - An emotional end of life planning platform that helps you leave no words left unspoken through last messages and personalised memorial page.

Herekind - working on making sadmin easier, transforming the way in which families are supported through loss and settling family estates. Please contribute to this short 10 minute survey about sorting out an estate in Australia after a death. Submit HERE

Helping out Castlemaine Safe Space over Christmas:

• Donate non-perishable items to our Community Pantry (drop in during opening hours or put items directly into the mini pantry on our veranda.)

• Drop bottles and cans to the Chewton Service Station and nominate Castlemaine Safe Space to receive the funds.

• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram – and share our posts. Tell your friends and family about us. Spreading the word is a great way to help!

• Volunteer as a Peer Volunteer or find out more about joining our Working Group

• Donate money via the website HERE

Showing Up For Each Other: Community Death Care Workshop - funded by the Wicking Trust. Supported by the Australian Home Funeral Alliance, in conjunction with Social Health Australia and the Death Literacy Institute. Led by myself, Jenny Blake & Nici Wright. Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 April, Castlemaine. EOIs open now, submit HERE

TRACKS: On Your Corner – Skyscraper Stan / Silent Night – CAN / Shut Up – Alx GoSlow / Do It Do It (Simlish version) – Amyl and the Sniffers

DEAD AIR #141

Suicide Prevention Day Wednesday 10 September

Interview with Rachel from Castlemaine Safe Space. Candlelight vigil at Castlemaine Safe Space, 74 Mostyn St, Wed 10 Sept, 7-8.30pm (candle lighting 8pm). All welcome, free.

Resources from the CHARLEE website: Supporting LGBTIQA+ people during public discussions about suicide loss

CHARLEE (Connection, Hope, Action, Resources and Lived Experience Education) is a project of Switchboard Victoria for LGBTIQA+ community with lived experiences of suicide. Rainbow Door (every day, 10am-5pm). Ph: 1800 729 367 Txt: 0480 017 246

Out Of The Shadows Walk an initiative of Lifeline. Wed 10 Sept, walk 9km for the 9 Australians who die every day by suicide. 

Hope Assistance Local Tradies (HALT) is a national grass-roots suicide prevention charity. Tough Conversations with Henry Rollins - Jeremy Forbes from HALT interview - YouTube

MATES is a charity to address suicide among Australian & New Zealand construction workers. Fly the Flag Week 8-12 Sept.

The 5th Annual Lifting The Lid International Festival of Death and Dying is online 14–16 Nov.

The Mourning After Exhibition and Public Program, continues until 20 Sept, RMIT Design Hub in Melbourne. Week 8 Current Workshops HERE Wed 10 Sept, 11.30-14:00, Kopi Healing Workshop - with Indigenous artist Maree Clarke. Thurs 11 Sept, 11.30 -13.00, Grief Mapping - a reflective postcard-making workshop led by Larissa Hjorth and Tamara Borovica. Fri 12 Sept, 11.30 -13.00, Chat with the Dead - a workshop allowing participants to have a live conversation with a deathbot.

Howl & Hold a radical grief zine, open submissions, due 31 Oct.

PODCAST: Reach In, Reach Out: The Impact of Suicide Loss and Bereavement - Podbean

TRACKS: Fade Into You – Mazzy Star / (iii) moribund – Faetooth / Cathedral – Yellow Eyes

DEAD AIR #138

‘Calls to change Victoria's 'outdated' burial laws to allow for owners to be laid to rest with their pets’ – ABC News

NDAN FAQs – an overview

How War, Medicine, and Funerals Changed Australia Into A Death-Avoidant Culture – TabooEducation

ELM Peer Support Group – for those bereaved by suicide. Last Monday evening of the month, 6-7.30pm. Castlemaine Safe Space, 74 Mostyn St - 25 Aug + 29 Sept + 27 Oct + 24 Nov.

The Mourning After Exhibition and Public Program, 24.7.-20.9.2025, RMIT Design Hub in Melbourne. Thur Aug 21, 11.30-13.00 - A drop in the ocean: attuning for posthuman futures by Fiona Hillary and the Posthuman Lab, an immersive workshop. Fri Aug 22, 11.30-13.00 - BILYA - Creative Lab  by Jen Rae and collaborators from the Centre for Reworlding. BILYA is a non-proprietary relational mapping platform to connect those working at the intersections of climate, adaptation, social justice, culture & the arts. Sat Aug 23, 12.30-14.00 Living skeletons: Exploring environmental connection and loss with coral bones by Claudia Benham and Chloe Watfern focusses on the Great Barrier Reef and climate grief.

Community Planting Day, Melbourne General Cemetery Sat 30 Aug, 10am–1pm; arrive anytime, stay as long as you like. Melbourne General Cemetery, Macpherson Street entrance. RSVP by Wed 27 Aug, register HERE

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

‘Recognise and regulate Human Composting as a death care option’ petition. If in NSW or know someone who is, please sign and share! SIGN HERE

NDAN Presents: Human Composting in Australia Sat 11 Oct 2025, 9-11am AEST (Bookings will open for this event shortly)

ACHLR Public Lecture - International Perspectives on Assisted Dying. Mon 8 Sep, 5pm - 6pm AEST. In person Brisbane, or online – Register HERE

The Melbourne Inner North End-of-Life Doula Hub runs monthly “Talking about Life and Death” discussions, Alphington Community Centre - the last Thursday of the month,1pm. Thur 28 Aug, details HERE

POEM: Love After Love by Derek Walcott

TRACKS: Survivor – Klaus Weiss / Detroit Snackbar Dreamer – Edgar Froese