FIRAS FAYYAD - SYRIAN JOURNALIST. A FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT STORY
Firas Fayyad is a Syrian Journalist who was imprisoned and tortured by the Syrian regime.
Undeterred and at peace with all he saw and endured he was willing to speak to me openly about his experience, the Syrian Regime and how he found peace.
One of the most captivating stories I have ever had the privilege of writing, Firas Fayyad's journey from imprisonment to escaping to Jordan is one of the most incredible and moving stories I have ever listened to.
Despite everything he has been through he holds no malice or revenge for those who persecuted him or inflicted pain on him. He hopes to one day return to his home country, Syria.
Read the full Interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
Undeterred and at peace with all he saw and endured he was willing to speak to me openly about his experience, the Syrian Regime and how he found peace.
One of the most captivating stories I have ever had the privilege of writing, Firas Fayyad's journey from imprisonment to escaping to Jordan is one of the most incredible and moving stories I have ever listened to.
Despite everything he has been through he holds no malice or revenge for those who persecuted him or inflicted pain on him. He hopes to one day return to his home country, Syria.
Read the full Interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
JASON EDWARDS - NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHER
'A picture is worth a thousand words' is how the expression goes. For National Geographic photographer Jason Edwards, photography is a way of life.
It is a passion and an addiction which has seen him travel to wild and exotic places to document various fascinating cultures and animals.
To great photographers photos are a universal language, a language that has the ability to transcend all barriers of human life.
Once taken, a photo does not require translation or communication, it is universally absorbed by those who see it - seeing is believing. While Journalists create stories by scribbling words on a notepad, Jason writes in photos, photos which are worth far more than a few thousand words.
Read the full Interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
It is a passion and an addiction which has seen him travel to wild and exotic places to document various fascinating cultures and animals.
To great photographers photos are a universal language, a language that has the ability to transcend all barriers of human life.
Once taken, a photo does not require translation or communication, it is universally absorbed by those who see it - seeing is believing. While Journalists create stories by scribbling words on a notepad, Jason writes in photos, photos which are worth far more than a few thousand words.
Read the full Interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
LEUNIG, ON LIFE AND CARTOONS
Michael Leunig is an Australian cartoonist, writer, painter, philosopher and poet.
In this interview he talks about his political, cultural and emotional life which spans more than forty years, and together we explore the idea of an innocent and sacred personal world.
"I like to think, there’s something traditional in what the good cartoonist does and that is to be the voice of the outsiders, to notice something that no one else thinks is important, but really is important."
Read the full interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
In this interview he talks about his political, cultural and emotional life which spans more than forty years, and together we explore the idea of an innocent and sacred personal world.
"I like to think, there’s something traditional in what the good cartoonist does and that is to be the voice of the outsiders, to notice something that no one else thinks is important, but really is important."
Read the full interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
JOHN HARVEY RECEIVES MEDAL OF ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Holden or ford?
It’s a question that’s divided Australians for millennia. But, if you ask ex-Holden race car driver John Harvey, it’s the wrong question.
“I loved open wheel cars, open cockpit cars – that was my go,” said Australian motor racing legend and Wandin resident, John Harvey.
“It’s a real race car. It goes around the corners faster than a touring car, brakes harder and compared to an open-wheel F1 car, they were slow racers. I didn’t want to be in the slow races, I wanted to be in the fast races,” he joked.
Read the full story here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
It’s a question that’s divided Australians for millennia. But, if you ask ex-Holden race car driver John Harvey, it’s the wrong question.
“I loved open wheel cars, open cockpit cars – that was my go,” said Australian motor racing legend and Wandin resident, John Harvey.
“It’s a real race car. It goes around the corners faster than a touring car, brakes harder and compared to an open-wheel F1 car, they were slow racers. I didn’t want to be in the slow races, I wanted to be in the fast races,” he joked.
Read the full story here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
INTERVIEW WITH DAVID CLOKE
David Cloke is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the VFL/AFL for Richmond and Collingwood.
Cloke was a ruckman and occasional forward who began with VFA club Oakleigh where he played alongside his brother Peter, and in 1974 he went to Richmond.
Cloke was a premiership player in his debut season with the Tigers and went on to play 219 VFL games from 1974 to 1982 (including another winning Grand Final in 1980) and in 1990–1991.
Read the full interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
Cloke was a ruckman and occasional forward who began with VFA club Oakleigh where he played alongside his brother Peter, and in 1974 he went to Richmond.
Cloke was a premiership player in his debut season with the Tigers and went on to play 219 VFL games from 1974 to 1982 (including another winning Grand Final in 1980) and in 1990–1991.
Read the full interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
SASSAFRAS MASTERCHEF TATI CARLIN WINS HEARTS DESPITE SHOCK ELIMINATION
Curry connoisseur and peanut cracker aficionado Tati Carlin was eliminated from MasterChef Australia on 1 July, despite the judges heralding her curry as the best recipe of the season.
Tati tumbled last night after battling to recreate a complex apple crumble set by renowned pastry chef and chocolatier, Kirsten Tibballs.
She left behind the top nine but already has her sights set on a new challenge.
Read the full interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
Tati tumbled last night after battling to recreate a complex apple crumble set by renowned pastry chef and chocolatier, Kirsten Tibballs.
She left behind the top nine but already has her sights set on a new challenge.
Read the full interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
THE MAN WHO MADE OZZY
He’s arguably the most famous puppet in Australia. That memorable pink oval feathered body, who on Saturday nights would charm viewers with his wit and cheek. He is none other than that ostentatious ostrich named 'Ossie' who Australians have fallen in love with.
And, although Darryl Sommers and Ernie Caroll became names synonymous with the show and the big headed bird, one name went unseen - Axel Axelrad - a 97-year-old Olinda resident, who despite creating the most notorious puppet Australian television has ever seen has gone largely unnoticed.
Read the full interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
And, although Darryl Sommers and Ernie Caroll became names synonymous with the show and the big headed bird, one name went unseen - Axel Axelrad - a 97-year-old Olinda resident, who despite creating the most notorious puppet Australian television has ever seen has gone largely unnoticed.
Read the full interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
ILANA'S WORLD OF IMAGINATION
To enter children’s illustrator, and writer Ilana Payes world is to fall backwards through time to more innocent days.
You see, Ilana’s world is one inhabited by bright characters with appealing adventures, fierce outfits and warm, loveable animals – a world made from a child’s imagination.
As we chat, sitting on children’s stools on her balcony, overlooking the emerald green Sherbrooke forest, Ilana pays attention to the muddled scene of children’s toys lying around the balcony.
Read the full interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
You see, Ilana’s world is one inhabited by bright characters with appealing adventures, fierce outfits and warm, loveable animals – a world made from a child’s imagination.
As we chat, sitting on children’s stools on her balcony, overlooking the emerald green Sherbrooke forest, Ilana pays attention to the muddled scene of children’s toys lying around the balcony.
Read the full interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
THE LEGEND OF LES
When Les Fenwick visited Puffing Billy on 9 November he was all cheer and chatters and could barely move without being greeted by other volunteers and old friends. That’s because after 26 years of volunteering for the century-old railway Les is part of the furniture, with many current volunteers remembering his stories and shiny conductor’s shoes.
For Les returning to the station after retiring in 2014, and being able to ride the train once more brought back many fond memories.
Read the full interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
For Les returning to the station after retiring in 2014, and being able to ride the train once more brought back many fond memories.
Read the full interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
SHAKEN NOT STIRRED-A MOTTO TO LIVE BY
As a former naval marine engineer, John Young from Ferntree Gully has seen more horror than most.
He was stationed in the Persian Gulf following 9/11, in Bali at the time of the 2002 bombing, and in in Surabaya, Timor and Manus Island during times of civil unrest.
But, it was the diagnosis of Parkinson’s – an unexpected 50th birthday gift – that affected him most.
Read the full interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
He was stationed in the Persian Gulf following 9/11, in Bali at the time of the 2002 bombing, and in in Surabaya, Timor and Manus Island during times of civil unrest.
But, it was the diagnosis of Parkinson’s – an unexpected 50th birthday gift – that affected him most.
Read the full interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
LONG-TIME JUSTICE
Of the 91 years Keith Thomas has lived in Warburton, 55 of those have been dedicated to being a Justice of the Peace.
In August at the annual dinner of the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices, Mr Thomas was presented with an award to recognise his 55 years of continuous service to the community as a Justice of the Peace.
I was able to speak to Mr Thomas about his experiences over those 55 years and how the role has changed since 1961.
Read the full interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
In August at the annual dinner of the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices, Mr Thomas was presented with an award to recognise his 55 years of continuous service to the community as a Justice of the Peace.
I was able to speak to Mr Thomas about his experiences over those 55 years and how the role has changed since 1961.
Read the full interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
BABA DESI - THE BELGRAVE WIZARD
This interview was with a particularly notable person in the small town of Belgrave, which is nestled amongst the gentle hills of the Dandenong Ranges.
Baba Desi - aka the Belgrave Wizard - is a person who is known all throughout the hills as a unique individual and local icon.
I sat down with the infamous hills legend and had a chat with him.
Read the full interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt
Baba Desi - aka the Belgrave Wizard - is a person who is known all throughout the hills as a unique individual and local icon.
I sat down with the infamous hills legend and had a chat with him.
Read the full interview here.
By Derek Schlennstedt