During the gold rush Chinese immigrants made up a quarter of Bendigo’s population, but now only one percent trace their ancestry back to these diggers. The goldfields were a dangerous place in the 19th century particularly for Chinese miners who faced inhibitory discrimination and suffered xenophobic attacks. Despite this many made Bendigo their home and helped shape the city it is today. Their legacy can be seen in the annual Chinese Dragon parade, Golden Dragon Museum, and Chinese gardens. And some miners still haunt the Chinese section of a local cemetery although many of the bodies were ex ..read more

Carbon farming is being touted as a way to slow down and reverse climate change. The idea is that you can suck carbon from the atmosphere and store it in plants and the soil, and farmers are being paid to change the way they farm to promote carbon storage. Advocates of carbon farming say we can literally bury the problem of carbon emissions, and pay farmers at the same time. But critics say the amount of carbon farmers can store is limited and difficult to measure, and that leaning on farmers is not the solution to the climate crisis. This podcast was reported by Soofia Tariq, and produced by ..read more

Plastic waste is a huge and growing problem in Australia. What can't be reused or recycled ends up in landfill. An alternative is to burn it to produce electricity. One of these waste to energy incinerators has been proposed for the small town of Tarago in the NSW southern tablelands, about an hour from Canberra. But the prospect has some locals concerned for their health and their livelihoods. And they question whether setting fire to the problem is the best solution for the waste crisis. Read the article: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7647566/ This podcast was produced by Laura Co ..read more

Coal employs around 14,000 people in the Hunter Valley. Whole communities have risen up out of the dark soil, established on lucrative and consistent mining money. But as Australia and the world move away from coal-fired power what will happen to those jobs and those communities? Despite the imminent decommissioning of power stations in the region, the industry still has a few decades left and so many people on the ground aren't worried. But the question is whether we push on with coal until there’s no more market, or we use this time to prepare the region for the future. For more stories abo ..read more

School should be a safe space, not a peadophile's playground. The community was in shock after the 2013 Royal Commission revealed widespread child sex abuse at Ballarat Catholic schools - St Alipius and St Patrick's colleges. How had this been allowed to happen to our children? Many offenders have since been convicted and jailed. But victims, and the wider community, are still dealing with the trauma and betrayal. Read the article: https://www.standard.net.au/story/7613556/ Buy Monique's book: https://geniusbookpublishing.com/products/the-boy-in-the-presbytery This story from Monique Patter ..read more

The fate of the Barkindji is tied to the fate of the river - the Barka. When it is flowing, the mostly Aboriginal town of Wilcannia in the NSW Far West can practice its traditions again. But too often in recent years the river has ceased to flow, and the people of the river have suffered. As they say in town, when the river is up, the town is up. In episode three of Forgotten River, we introduce you to the people who have made their homes along this river for 40,000 years and who worry that if it dies, they’ll go with it. To see photos, videos, and read more about the Darling visit https://ww ..read more

The way Australia produces electricity is changing. The traditional one-way, centralised market is being disrupted. Small communities are taking part in their energy future, getting together to produce electricity in their own towns. These communities want cheaper, cleaner electricity as well as local opportunities, and they’re tired of waiting. Read the story: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7208720/ Get the transcript: https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/7209759/ Produced by Tom Melville, Laura Corrigan and Ethan Hamilton. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

Before wheat was wheat, it was an introduced grass. Every year it battles our fickle climate. But we do have native grasses that First Nations Australians have cultivated for years, like kangaroo grass. There are experiments taking place around the country, led by First Nations people, to test the viability of native plants as a sustainable, desirable and profitable crop. Get the transcript: https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/7189998/ This podcast was produced by Laura Corrigan and Tom Melville. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

A beloved pig and calf saleyard in Beaudesert, south east Queensland, was recently given heritage status. But in an unusual case, Scenic Rim Regional Council is challenging the heritage listing. The move has outraged some members of the community leading to calls for an investigation into the dealings of the council. Get the transcript: https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/7171502/ Produced by Laura Corrigan and Tom Melville. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information ..read more

Offshore gas rigs have been touted as a solution for the pandemic recession and energy transition. But the PEP 11 exploration licence has received a lot of opposition from coastal communities in NSW. And Launceston tries to find a balance between environment and lifestyle as it grapples with mud build up in the Tamar River. Read the article: https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/7150139/disgraceful-shocking-indigenous-community-appalled-over-gas-plans/ Get the transcript: https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/7154490/voice-of-real-australia-episode-13-transcript/ This episode was prod ..read more