DEAD AIR #182 / August 31, 2026 by The Departure

NEW SHOW SPONSOR - BARKERS CREEK AUTO REPAIRS!

Historic vote completes VAD journey – but NT law falls short – Go Gentle Australia

Where does the artist begin and end? At Revivification at Now or Never, the answer’s far from simple – ArtsHub

Importing human remains and biosecurity – Dept of Health, Disability & Ageing

Also see: Importing human remains or ashes – Australian Border Force

Fact vs. Myth: Rigor Mortis Is Not Permanent – Home Funeral Alliance Substack

Make-up on corpses – Trish & Tracey from Are You Dying To Know Instagram

Are you an early career professional working in or alongside Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) in Victoria? DWDV is offering one fully funded 2-day pass to attend the VAD Conference (VADCON 2026) in Melbourne on 19–20 Oct, plus a travel bursary for regional applicants. Apps close: Fri 11 Sept, details HERE

NDAN Presents - How Mushrooms Are Changing the Way We Say Goodbye with Bob Hendrikx, founder & CEO of Loop Biotech, award-winning inventor, architect and bio designer. Fri 18 Sept 7-8pm AEST. Details HERE book HERE

This year’s Spring Ball theme is ‘Castlemaine Gothic.’ Spring Ball is a major annual fundraiser for Castlemaine Community House and a highlight of the local calendar. Don’t miss it. Sat 12 Sept, Castlemaine Town Hall Tickets: $50 (full price); $35 (conc.) Purchase tickets HERE

A weekend immersion into shrouding and weaving hosted by master weaver of 30+ years Zimmi Forest from NSW and facilitated by local, independent death worker Hayley West of The Departure (and host of Mainfm show DEAD AIR). Together, we will weave a shroud carrier and/or a coffin out of the invasive Cats Claw vine. An opportunity to learn and share curiosities and questions around the practice of shrouding and open up conversations anything death, dying and grieving. All materials and morning teas are provided. Book via Humantix, search for 'Coffin Weaving Castlemaine' or contact Hayley directly at hello@thedeparture.com.au Sat 10 Oct, 9:30am – 4pm & Sun 11 Oct, 10am-3.30pm. Venue: The Old Gaol, Castlemaine. Book HERE

TRACKS: Did you ever want to go to your own funeral? – James Ellis Ford / Man is like a spring flower demo – Lingua Ignota

DEAD AIR #169 / May 13, 2026 by The Departure

The Political Language of Grief, CDAS blog post by Jane Ribbens McCarthy

Know Your Rights: VAD in Aged Care – GoGentle Australia

Celebrating Culture: Japanese Kotsuage Ceremony – Tobin Brothers

Morbid Anatomy Museum - Ghosts, Anomalous Experiences and Mysterious Encounters Open Mic, become a member HERE, 12 May 7-8pm GMT (Wed 13 May 5-6am AEST)

Bundanon Trust, Make Good Festival talk: ‘What Death Can Teach the Living’ Dr Hannah Gould, Chanelle Collier, Amy Firth & Zimmi Forest. Bundanon, NSW, Sat 30 May, 10am – 10.50am. Info HERE

Dhelkaya Health monthly walk at Maldon Historic Cemetery. Thurs 28 May, 10:30am, inside gates at Maldon Cemetery. No RSVP required, just turn up or call 5479 1000 for further info.

The annual Memorial Service of Reflections and Memories. Dhelkaya Health, Cornish Street, Castlemaine, Tues 19 May, arrive 6.30pm, 7pm start. The service will go for approximately 30 minutes and will be followed by light refreshments. Further info 5471 3542 or email pastoralcare@castlemainehealth.org.au

For National Palliative Care Week, Dhelkaya Health, in partnership with the Palliative Care Consortium, will host a free community panel discussion Getting to the heart of it – big questions, real answers - Adam Rutnya, Voluntary Assisted Dying Navigator for the Loddon Mallee region, Hayley West, a local death literacy advocate, ceremony creator and independent death worker, and Jane Furze, Team Leader of Dhelkaya Health’s Community Palliative Care Program. A local GP will also join the discussion. Phee Broadway Theatre, Castlemaine Library foyer, Thurs 14 May, 11am -12noon. FREE no bookings required, Community Palliative Care services 5471 3495 or visit the Dhelkaya Health website.

TRACKS: Jealous Guy - Donny Hathaway / Your Power - Billie Eilish