DEAD AIR #149

Lifting The Lid International Festival of Death & Dying – online, 72 hours of conversations, workshops, art, and connection opening up vital, life-affirming dialogues about death and dying.14-16 Nov 2025. Hayley West- ‘Art, Voice, New Ritual’ 6.30pm Sun 16 Nov AEDT. Info & tickets HERE

Gone to a wetter place: the Queenslanders disrupting the death industry with water cremations – The Guardian

Don’t Be Caught Dead podcast – ‘Facing Death Head-on – A Doula’s Guide to End-Of-Life Care’ Catherine Ashton talks to Barb Ferguson.

Shannon’s Bridge, ‘Why saying someone in their end-of-life phase “isn’t allowed to come home from hospital” is complete nonsense’. – Facebook Post

GUESTS: Kate Stones, Jane Montgomery-Griffiths & Stephen Mitchell (Director) are visiting to talk about the new Castlemaine Theatre Company production ‘Piece of Mind’ by Emma Wood. 14-30 November 2025, Fri/Sat 7.30pm, Sun 2pm. Castlemaine Theatre Company, Tickets HERE.

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