Show your appreciation and support us in continuing to produce high quality content by sponsoring an episode or simply "buy us a coffee" - donate here [Timestamp: 00:05:10] A research paper published in the Journal of Audio and Radio this month examines the opportunities and challenges that podcasts hold for amplifying rural women's voices. Kirsten Diprose (pictured), founder of the Rural Podcasting Co and host of Ducks on a Pond, worked with Dr. Maria Ray, a senior lecturer at Deakin Uni, to explore podcasting's impact on rural communities. Eleven women met the criteria o ..read more

WORDS NAT DOWLING  | IMAGES CLAIRE EASTMAN PHOTOGRAPHY No one ever believed in little Kazz Rasmussen. Now, through Kazz & Co - an NDIS registered disability and special needs support service - she's instilling believe in herself and the regional Victorians who have been put into the too hard basket. It was more than middle child syndrome. Kazz had four high flyer siblings. She was the “short little fat one”, the kid told by everyone that she had no value. “Growing up, no one ever believed in me, to the point that I never believed in myself,” says Kazz. The flip side of that ..read more

Show your appreciation and support us in continuing to produce high quality content by sponsoring an episode or simply "buy us a coffee" - donate here Ceramic artist and TikToker Shelby Sherritt has opened a 'paint your own pottery' studio in Ballarat, Victoria. Shelby says the idea for The Pottage came to life after receiving numerous requests for workshops and studio visits. "The decision to open up The Pottage has been a long time in the making," says Shelby. "I was always doing pottery and sharing the joy for creativity and making things with joy, and would often get a ..read more

Sara Carney is the founder of Desert Lily Vintage, an Australian-designed and made online women's fashion label. The sustainable resort wear is made from linen and renewed vintage bed linen.  Tell us about your business and how it started? I am the owner, designer and manufacture of a sustainable resort wear fashion label for women. I create beautiful, size inclusive and comfortable clothing from vintage bed linen and linen in neutral tones. It all started 10 years ago with a sewing machine and a dream. It has taken me years of learning the art of sewing and dressmaking and with a qu ..read more

WORDS GABRIELLE HALL | IMAGES NADINNE GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY First published in OAK Magazine Issue 12 For 26 years, rural South Australian woman Nikki Atkinson has been making her mark in the bridal, after-five and special occasion fashion wear industry. Nikki has worked for a range of fashion design businesses, started a hugely successful bridal store in Adelaide alongside a fellow fashion school student, and run her own retail outlet. She remains in-demand to design and create unique couture from her family property at Wilmington in South Australia’s Southern Flinders Ranges. You could be forgive ..read more

WORDS NAT DOWLING | IMAGES HONEY ATKINSON PHOTOGRAPHY In over 20 years as a professional photographer, Honey Atkinson has heard every reason why women hate themselves and don’t want their picture taken. With her online phone photography course, she’s sharing skills and ideas so they can show up as their best self(ie). It’s all Honey ever wanted to do, and she’s still doing it – photographer, videographer and educator. “I love telling stories. I like turning up to a business or area I know nothing about and learning about someone completely new. On a broader scale, my purpose is ..read more

Show your appreciation and support us in continuing to produce high quality content by sponsoring an episode or simply "buy us a coffee" - donate here [Timestamp: 00:05:50] South Australia has announced its winner of the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women's Award. Nikki Atkinson has taken the top honour for promoting the merino wool industry through her sustainable wedding dress and special occasions brand, Horrocks Vale Collections. "This is just incredible because I've actually seen what it has done to the likes of other rural women and how it's escalated their businesses and their ..read more

Show your appreciation and support us in continuing to produce high quality content by sponsoring an episode or simply "buy us a coffee" - donate here [Timestamp: 00:00:50] During the mammoth pack down of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, Ellen Douglas from Botany Florist filmed the waste left over from just one display. That Instagram Reel has clocked over 125,000 views and sparked a lively discussion around the proper disposal of flowers and sundries. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BOTANY (@botany.florist.melbourne) “What I saw during ..read more

Show your appreciation and support us in continuing to produce high quality content by sponsoring an episode or simply "buy us a coffee" - donate here. [Timestamp: 00:07:05] The Reserve Bank of Australia announced on 19 March 2024, they are holding the cash rate at 4.35%. Bendigo mortgage broker and director of Proactive Finance Group, Hayley DeJong, explains how the RBA uses the cash rate as a tool to control inflation.   "The RBA are trying to get inflation under control. Inflation target is around 2 to 3%. What that means is they do not want the cost of servic ..read more

WORDS KIMBERLEY FURNESS | IMAGES ROSIE HENDERSON (MAIN) + JODIE BERRY Louise O’Neill has transformed a profound personal lesson into a catalyst for positive change in the mental and physical wellbeing of farmers and their families across rural Australia. As a qualified sports therapist and mental health coach, Louise has dedicated the past six years to empowering men and women in rural areas to reshape their mindset and challenge the unconventional norms prevalent in farming communities. “There is this perception that farming is a 24 hours a day, seven days a week job, and I just don't th ..read more