natural organic reduction

DEAD AIR #189 /  by The Departure

In incredibly exciting news - a huge congratulations to 94.9MainFM, recipient of the prestigious CBAA 2026 Tony Staley Award for Excellence in Community Broadcasting!

Tony Staley was instrumental in the development of the community broadcasting sector. The award recognises a community broadcasting organisation or initiative that actively promotes the values of community broadcasting: democracy, diversity, access and independence.

From CBAA – “Over 25 years, MainFM has built a vibrant community station powered by more than 100 volunteers and over 70 programs each week, with a strong commitment to local arts, access and emergency response. MainFM represent a remarkable embodiment of community broadcasting values.”

DEAD AIR #189
Hayley West, 94.9MainFM

NSW passes ‘human compost’ laws with several MPs saying they will utilise practice after they die – The Guardian

From dust to soil: NSW says yes to human composting – ABC Radio Nightlife

'Terramation': New bill aims to offer alternative to burial and cremation – ABC Radio National

Earthly Legacy - NSW & Earthly Remains - ACT

AFHA presents: The Lonely Funeral Project, Amsterdam. Bringing voices to the unclaimed dead. with Joris van Casteren, Amsterdam. Tues 17 Nov, 7pm-8.30pm AEDT. Book HERE

Golden Wellness Festival, Sunken Oval Castlemaine, Sat 31 Oct, 10am-4pm. Free panel discussions, classes and ticketed deep sessions in The Temples.

Life's2short - our Mums are Dead with Teamo Henderson & Deidre Gibb performing as part of Seniors Festival Sat 31 Oct, 2pm at Thompson Family Funerals Mostyn St Castlemaine. $20 cash at door. No booking required.

Castlemaine is officially recorded as the first place in Australia to celebrate Halloween, with the inaugural documented Castlemaine Select Scottish Ball held on 29 October 1858 at the Red Hill Hotel Chewton. Organised by Scottish gold rush migrants and local Caledonian societies who brought the traditions over, featuring traditional Scottish dancing with around 50 couples, bagpipes, festive decor, and poetry.

Castlemaine Fringe presents: Halloween Glitz and Glam, The Old Castlemaine Gaol, Sat, 31 Oct, 7:30pm - midnight. Tickets HERE

1st Death Doula Conference Australia Sat 14 Nov, Daylesford Town Hall. A weekend of deepening, widening, and strengthening the Australian death‑doula movement. E: ask.deniselove@gmailcom Info HERE

TRACKS: The Bog Bodies - Rabbitology / Soil - Cosmo Sheldrake + NATURE / Wild Magnolia - The ExIsles

DEAD AIR #138 /  by The Departure

DEAD AIR #138
Hayley West, 94.9 MainFM

‘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 

DEAD AIR #102 /  by The Departure

DEAD AIR #102
Hayley West, 94.9 MainFM

DEAD AIR is sponsored by Trash Cult; venue, bar, film, book & record store. 15 High Street, in the Burra of Eaglehawk.

Open discussion with HUUM founders (NOR/human composting)

Contribute to discussions on NOR with Zach & Luke, submit form HERE

Centre for Death and Society's 2024 Conference - Death and Communities FULL PROGRAM

What are Your Chances of Being BURIED ALIVE Today? Taboo Education

PODCAST Don’t Be Caught Dead

Art of Grieving Workshop series in Castlemaine!

Six Feet Under: Design + Death, two-day symposium Open House Melbourne, and Design Week.

PSA Coffee Hearse Business for sale in country Victoria

Free Palestine Rally every Sunday 12pm Jarra/Victory Park, Castlemaine. Insta: @freepalestinecentralvic  

Oni Street Wear – DEAD & Electric Heads (Chewton Primary School!) Sunday 21 April 1.30pm ALL AGES then Fundraiser for Palestine – at Theatre Royal 3-6pm

TRACKS: Tail Spin – DEAD / The Silent Dark - Scattered Order