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 #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

DEAD AIR #143

Chatting with Mikaela Grant, Psychotherapist and Director of Care For Your Mind & Creative Arts Therapist, Marita Jacobsson in the studio about 'Making Spaces For Grief' a five-week group therapy program. Mondays October 6, 13, 20, 27, November 3 (1-3pm), Castlemaine Office, $280 per person, concession $200 per person (all materials included).

The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief By Francis Weller.

'Bone lady' who helped find Daniel Morcombe still unearthing stories of the dead – ABC News

Sensing the Supernatural Dead: Relic Veneration and Corpse Inspection, with Historian Jamie L. Brummitt. Six-week online class via Zoom, all classes recorded. Friday mornings starting 26 Sept, through to 31 Oct. 9-11am AEST, AUD$227. [NY Thursdays, 25 Sept-30 Oct, 7-9pm EST/NYC Time, US$150] Register HERE

Haunted Halloween at The Old Castlemaine Gaol - Fri 31 Oct, 7:30-11pm! Castlemaine Fringe presents Haunted Halloween - a spine-tingling night of freaky fun and after dark DJ's. Haunted Halloween will feature a live bluegrass band followed by a selection of Castlemaine's finest DJ's and a dance act or two! Join us in the gaol atrium because it's SPOOKY in there, and we love a dance floor kick-on, with Creepy cocktails, Spooky Sounds and definitely a ghost or two. Dress ups encouraged but not mandatory! Book HERE

The 5th annual Lifting the Lid International Festival of Death and Dying, 14-16 November 2025 is looking for volunteer moderators to help with online sessions at the. Lifting The Lid is an annual, online festival that lifts the lid on everything death & dying, through conversations, interactive events, workshops, art and craft sessions, live music, poetry and performance from around the world. If you are interested in volunteering a few hours of your time to facilitate for our presenters and audience from over 40 countries worldwide, please do drop us an email at liftingthelid2021@gmail.com

TRACKS: Shut Up – ALX;GoSlow / Nimrod Workman performs 'Oh Death' / Jon’s International Marketspace – Party Dozen / Time – Good Moon