DEAD AIR #185

DEAD AIR #185

Hayley West, 94.9MainFM

‘I created my mom and talk to her’: AI ghosts and deathslop are changing the way we mourn – The Guardian

Back from the dead: could AI end grief? On the Ground YouTube

‘We thought death could do with a bit of dancing’: welcome to Sondering, the arts festival with its own funeral march – The Guardian

Love & Loss - a 5Rhythms® exploration of the loving, broken heart with Meredith Davies & David Juriansz. Through 5Rhythms dance, reflective practice and ritual you will be guided through the terrain of love and loss. A 2-day workshop to dance with our grief, our gratitude and be held in community in grace. Dates: Sat 31 Oct & Sun 1 Nov, 10-5pm. Early Bird - $200 Before Sep 30 or until sold out. e: 5Rhythms@movingessence.com. St.Marys Hall, Castlemaine.

ONLINE: AHFA and Queer as Death Collective (Naarm) Presents - ‘A Joyous Death’ with Alex Antunes. Sharing a documentary 'HARD/SOFT/STICKY WET: A Joyous Death' (2025) documenting the Corpse Couture event. Mon 19 Oct, 7-8.30pm AEDT Book HERE

PODCAST: ‘For The Love of Brick’ Ep14. For the Love of Alby A Father's Day special episode dedicated to their late son Alby, who unexpectedly died in 2021. Greg shares how LEGO played a role in their relationship and in the weeks after Alby's death.

The Death Worker Summit Turn Your Calling into a Sustainable Practice. Join 20 death workers for honest conversations and practical steps to help you get hired, build meaningful relationships, and build the business around your end-of-life work. A virtual gathering for death doulas, end-of-life educators and planners, grief workers, celebrants, funeral professionals, home funeral guides, holistic practitioners, and others whose work supports people through death, dying, grief, and remembrance. ONLINE: 24-27 Sept. Book 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. 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: Mizmar - Aswan / Tango Whiskeyman - CAN

DEAD AIR #184 - Radiothion Special

DEAD AIR #184 RADIOTHON SPECIAL

Hayley West, 94.9MainFM

A very special episode with fellow deathies in the studio - Barb Ferguson, Carolyn Bathurst and Nici Wright.

Since Nov 2021, I have been dedicated to presenting my show DEAD AIR every Monday 10-11am on Castlemaine’s favourite community radio station 94.9MainFM. Our presenters are a rad bunch of humans made up of locals who know and love our region. We have over 100 amazing volunteers presenting over 70 shows a week - for a regional station, that is a BIG deal - it’s actually huge!

Radiothon is a dedicated period every year where we ask the community (and beyond - you don’t have to live in Castlemaine!) to demonstrate their support of MainFM by re/subscribing to our Station, which directly contributes to keeping us on the air. Subscribers are the beating heart and soul of MainFM. We adore our subscribers! Radiothon 2026 is running from 11th Sept - 19th Sep, with a daily prize pool, drawn each day. Everyone who subscribes during the whole month of September is eligible for the major prize pool too. Subscribe yourself, your pet, your lover, your child, your neighbour, your workmate… join in the fun!

Subscribe now by calling the station on (03) 5472 4376 or online mainfm.net/subscribe

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‘Psychs on Bikes’ have a free presentation on mental health and suicide prevention, 4-6pm,Tuesday 15 September at the Castlemaine RSL.There are also free heart and diabetes checks, and afternoon tea is provided by the RSL.

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. 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

AHFA presents: ‘Death Literacy as Community Practice. What if caring for people at the end of life was understood not only as a health service responsibility, but as a shared community practice?’ ​With Dr. Kerrie Noonan, online, Tues 15 Sept, 7-8.30pm AEST Details HERE Book 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

TRACKS: Copan, Kangaroo Apple & Bottle Green by local artist Ronny Quasar

DEAD AIR #183

DEAD AIR #183

Hayley West, 94.9MainFM

Woman laid to rest in coffin made from mushrooms in Australian first – The Guardian

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

The Missing Navigator: Why End-of-Life Doulas Belong at the Heart of Compassionate Communities – Your Path Guide

When a Narcissist Is Dying You Don’t Have to Be There - Hospice Nurse Julie, YouTube

‘The Digital Life of Grief - Online Mourning in the Age of Hashtags, Algorithms, and Social Media’ - Open Access link HERE

The Role of Men’s Sheds in Supporting Men Through End-of-Life Experiences – Seminar hosted by The Good Death Impact Network and The Care Lab at UNSW. Presenter: Dr John MacArtney, Associate Professor, Warwick Medical School, UK. - in person & online, Tues 8 Sept, 2-3pm, book HERE

AHFA presents: ‘Death Literacy as Community Practice. What if caring for people at the end of life was understood not only as a health service responsibility, but as a shared community practice?’ ​With Dr. Kerrie Noonan, online, Tues15 Sept, 7-8.30pm AEST Details HERE Book HERE

The theme of World Suicide Prevention Day (10 Sept) is Changing the Narrative on Suicide, with the call to action: Start the Conversation. Castlemaine resources: Castlemaine Safe Space, 74 Mostyn St on Tuesdays 4-6.30pm, Thursdays 9.30am-12pm & Saturdays 1.30-4pm. ELM - Every Life Matters, Peer Support Group which meets on the last Monday of every month at Safe Space. Email: theelmpsg@gmail.com

Remembering Rainbow: LGBTIQA+ Memorial for World Suicide Prevention Day 2026. Collingwood Town Hall, 140 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford. Thurs 10 Sept, 6-8pm, details 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. 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: Paradise – Vague Rituals / Stupid Thing – Good Moon