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 #181 / August 26, 2026 by The Departure

White in Japan: why is it the colour of mourning? – My Japan Clothes blog

The Victorian Book of the Dead - A book on the popular and material culture of Victorian death and mourning.

Exploring Greenland's Death Culture: From Taboos to Tradition – Taboo Education

What end-of-life experts know about living well: love your wrinkles, celebrate birthdays and don’t obsess over work – The Guardian

ABC Radio National Law Report – The Law Report's special series Over My Dead Body explores what happens when wills go wrong.

A Words in Winter event - The Last Good Conversation: Death, Ritual and What Comes Next. E A Gleeson and Hannah Gould with Amy Pagett. Sun 30 Aug 11:30am - 12:30pm, Daylesford Town Hall. Book HERE

This year’s Spring Ball theme is ‘Castlemaine Gothic.’ Hosted by Castlemaine Community House, the Spring Ball is the biggest and most spectacular night of the year, a major annual fundraiser and a true highlight of the local calendar. Sat 12 Sept, Castlemaine Town Hall Tickets: $50 (full price); $35 (conc.) Purchase tickets HERE

Weaving a Shroud Carrier - a weekend immersion into shrouding Castlemaine with Zimmi Forest, d’Vine Creations and facilitated by Hayley West of The Departure. Sat 10 Oct, 9:30am – 4pm & Sun 11 Oct, 10am-3.30pm. Venue tbc, Castlemaine. $380/ $730 if booking for 2 people. Book HERE

TRACKS: Pony - Annette Peacock / Places of Light - Brainticket

DEAD AIR #180 / August 17, 2026 by The Departure

Palestinians hold mass funeral for 112 victims of Israeli strikes on Sabra three years ago – ABC News

Mornington Green Living Legacy Gardens – cremains in already established trees

Ecoash – treat the cremains so they can be planted in a garden.

Would you like to better understand the complexity of suicide and learn how to support someone impacted by suicide? Join Roses in the Ocean's TouchPoints Community Workshop and gain practical knowledge, tools, and confidence to recognise and respond to suicide in your community. Together, we can create more compassionate, informed, and supportive communities. Read this: READINESS TO BE INVOLVED IN SUICIDE PREVENTION Find out more information and register to attend this free online workshop. Wed 9 Sep AEST, register HERE

Bookings are now open for Death Literacy as Community Practice hosted by the Australian Home Funeral Alliance. What if caring for the dying wasn't just a health service job, but something we all do together? Dr Kerrie Noonan shows how everyday relationships build the skills and confidence we need to navigate death, grief and caregiving. She’ll share insights from the global Death Literacy movement, and explain how communities can reduce fear and isolation, and strengthen our collective capacity to care. Online, Tues 15 Sept, 7-8:30pm AEST. Dr Noonan is a research fellow at La Trobe University and Director of the Death Literacy Institute. Don’t miss it. Register HERE.

AHFA presents "Global history and evolution of euthanasia and assisted dying" with Dr Philip Nitschke – Register HERE Online, 7pm AEST Friday 28 August.

Have you contributed to the Go Gentle Australia 2026 National VAD Survey? This survey is for patients, families and the general public. It only takes a few minutes and all your answers are de-identified. Survey HERE

A Words in Winter event - The Last Good Conversation: Death, Ritual and What Comes Next. E A Gleeson and Hannah Gould with Amy Pagett. Sun 30 Aug 11:30am - 12:30pm, Daylesford Town Hall. Book HERE

Great Stupa Death Festival A day to come together as a community to reflect, connect and celebrate life. Sat 19 Sept, 11am-3pm, Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Myers Flat, FREE.

The Final Course - a guided online workshop in end of life and death care planning, Thurs 27 August 7-9pm AEST– Nyx Funerals

Weaving a Shroud Carrier - a weekend immersion into shrouding Castlemaine. Join us in Castlemaine for a weekend immersion into the art of shrouding, where we will collectively weave a shroud carrier from invasive Cats Claw vine. Led by master weaver Zimmi Forest, d’Vine Creations and facilitated by Hayley West of The Departure, this open and inclusive workshop explores the how, why, and when of shrouding, alongside broader conversations about death, dying, and grief, with an optional opportunity to experience being shrouded. All materials and morning teas are provided; bring your own lunch, your questions, and your personal experiences. Sat 10 Oct, 9:30am – 4pm & Sun 11 Oct, 10am-3.30pm. Venue tbc, Castlemaine. $380/ $730 if booking for 2 people. Book HERE

TRACKS: 2 Wheel Nation & On To Everafter - Acid King / Ash Souvenir - Ragana & Drowse