All The Best

This week we’re bringing you stories that question and expand our national identity.

A content warning, this episode contains racial slurs, racism, and violence so please listen with care.

The Ocean and the Desert Flower

In our first story, Zeinab shares the things she loves about her home, and ruminates on the various contradictions involved within the so-called Australian identity.

This story was produced by Zeinab Mourad as part of Season 1 of Braided, a project by Artful Dodgers Studios in Naarm.

The supervising producer was Bethany Atkinson-Quinton.

You can listen to more stories by Braided by visiting www.braidedpodcast.com

Navigating the Shire

Our next story explores the legacy of the 2005 Cronulla Race Riots - where over 5000 people spread across suburbs descended upon Cronulla to spout Anti-Arab and Anti-Immigration sentiment. While this story was recorded in 2018, parts still feel relevant today.

This story was written by Rohan Simpson.

The supervising producer was Allison Chan.

The story was originally published in the USYD student paper, Honi Soit

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

Mixed by Emma Higgins

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re bringing you another feature from our partnership with the podcast ‘177 Nations of Tasmania’. In this podcast, host and producer Mark Thomson aims to interview subjects from each of the 177 nationalities represented in Tasmania’s last census.

This story belongs to Anne from Papua New Guinea. She enthusiastically shares her childhood traveling all around the island, and the ins and outs of PNG family life.

To hear the full episode head to Markthomsonmedia.com or search ‘177 nations’ wherever you get your podcasts.

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

Mixed by Emma Higgins

Image Credit: Anne

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Please listen to this week's episode with care as it includes accounts of displacement and detention in Palestine. 

Last week, we heard about Amal's everyday life growing up in Aida Refugee Camp, in the West Bank Palestine. We heard stories of regular young people, living between wars, with hopes for the future.

Amal no longer lives in the camp, so this week she tells us about yearning to return to her homeland. She shares what it’s like to visit and how she holds onto connection to her family’s land.

Amal also tells us about her brother, Anas, a community leader and young father who was taken into Administrative detention late last year. That‘s Israel’s term for being arbitrarily imprisoned. 

The person is taken to military court, with a military judge. There is no fair trial, no charge, no disclosure of evidence and no assurance of the actual length of their sentence. Anas is one of around 3 thousand 5 hundred administrative detainees in Israeli Occupation Prisons. These include children. As of February 24, they have detained over 6,500 Palestinian residents of the West Bank and Jerusalem.

So Amal doesn’t know when she’ll see her brother again. 

Throughout Amal’s contemporary reflections are stories from Radio Lajee made in the mid 2000s, all about strength in knowing your land and where you come from. 

The stories you will hear include:

My Nakba by Amaja El-Ozzo, Layan Al-Azza & Pernille Sørensen where you’ll hear grandchildren interview their grandparents, about memories of this violent land and property seizure by Zionist militias in 1948 that displaced and dispossessed over 700,000 Palestinians. 

Why I read Ghassan Kanafani by Athal Al Azza. This story is  about a Palestinian author and politician who inspires young people to feel pride in being Palestinian today. He was assassinated by car bomb in Beirut, Lebanon, by Israeli special intelligence on 8 July 1972.

On Gaza, while this story isn’t about Gaza today, it sounds to us like it could be. In this radio story from 2009, you’ll hear the reactions of young people from Aida camp, to what is known as Operation Cast Lead – a 22 day military assault on the Gaza Strip that began on 27 December 2008. It was the first time Israel used white phosphorus, and their actions resulted in 1400 deaths, many of them children. In a now familiar story, a UN fact-finding mission sent in the aftermath found numerous breaches of international human rights and humanitarian law.

Special thanks to Amal Abu Srour and Daz Chandler. You can listen to more stories from Radio Lajee  at www.radiolajee.com.

Further Resources:

- APAN: https://apan.org.au/resources/ 

- PARA: https://para.org.au/give-support/ 

- Calls To Action Palestine Toolkit: https://palestinetoolkit.org/ 

- ADDAMEER: https://addameer.org/

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

Mixed by Emma Higgins

Image Credit: Daz Chandler at Aida Refugee Camp

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A content warning for this episode, we’re going to be talking about the past and present of Palestine, which may be difficult for some listeners to hear. Discretion is advised. 

Over the next two weeks, we’re playing stories from a radio project from the Aida Refugee Camp in the West Bank, Palestine. It’s called Radio Lajee.

It began in 2008, when Australian media worker Daz Chandler visited the camp and equipped young people with the recorders and the skills to create radio. 

You’re going to hear from Amal, one of the young people who made a story with Radio Lajee back in 2008. Amal will speak about her life growing up in the camp. 

Throughout her interview, we’ve interwoven stories from Radio Lajee - first stories about the everyday, and then next week we’ll hear stories about history and resistance. 

In order, you'll hear: 

The Camp, Way Back When by Layan Azza

This story features a Palestinian man’s memories of being forcibly displaced from his village in 1948 during the Nakba, and his arrival at Aida Refugee Camp. He is being interviewed by his granddaughter, who still lives in the camp. He describes the initial temporary nature of the camp, and it’s original population of 160 refugees. 

Four generations of Palestinians have since lived in the camp. The tents have given way to concrete housing and infrastructure. And a population of over 5000 people. 

This story mentions UNRWA. UNRWA was established in 1949 as a dedicated UN entity to support over 700,000 Palestinians displaced by the 1948 Nakba. UNRWA continues to provide education, health, and social support services to Palestinian refugees. 

A Day In The Life by Saja Ajarma

Amal’s Kitchen by Amal Abu Srour

The Cats and the Wall by Mohammad Waleed

This last story features descriptions of the apartheid wall, built by Israel in 2005. In 2004 the ICJ issued an advisory opinion that the wall’s construction was contrary to international law, deviating from the former boundary established after the 1967 war. 

Next week, we have more stories from Radio Lajee and Amal about Palestinian Storytelling as remembering and resisting -  hit subscribe, follow or tune in next week wherever you listen to All The Best to hear their stories.

Special thanks to Amal Abu Srour and Daz Chandler. You can listen to more stories from Radio Lajee  at www.radiolajee.com or look out for Daz’s article in Overland at www.overland.org

Further Resources:

- APAN: https://apan.org.au/resources/ 

- PARA: https://para.org.au/give-support/ 

- Calls To Action Palestine Toolkit: https://palestinetoolkit.org/ 

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

Mixed by Emma Higgins

Image Credit: Daz Chandler at Aida Refugee Camp

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we embrace the strange, and delve into those open, uncomfortable parts of life - and death.

The Coffin in the Garage

First up, Miles and his family get into a sticky situation regarding his grandfather’s coffin.

Written and read by Miles Mazzocato, with production support from Phoebe Adler-Ryan.

Ghost Girlfriend

Next, the highs and lows of love can feel supernatural, at least, they do when your girlfriend is a ghost.

Written by Rachel Ang.

The recordist was Kirby with support from Jordan Fennell.

This story was originally aired on FBi’s audio fiction program, Or It Didn’t Happen. You can find more of Rachel’s work at drawbyfour.com. 

Funeral Trees

In our next story, cartoonist Fionn goes looking to find the tree sapling that best represents his late father. 

That story was by Fionn McCabe and recorded at Read To Me - a live storytelling event for cartoonists and graphic artists  - check their socials for upcoming events @readtome_.

MURDERER!

In our final story, our protagonist mulls over the unexpected death of a friend. 

That story was by Zacha Rosen, and recorded for FBi Radio’s audio fiction program Or It Didn’t Happen. Thanks to Krishtie Mofazzal.

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

Mixed by Emma Higgins

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past few months, All The Best has worked with local young people in Bankstown to make an audio walking tour about the places that matter to them. 

Stories From Here is an audio walking tour of Bankstown featuring recorded monologues written by local young people aged 16-24 about their experiences in the area and the places that matter to them. The artists have been mentored by local author Kavita Bedford and director-dramaturg Finn Ó Branagáin. The stories were recorded by All The Best.

In this episode, you'll hear from:

Finn Ó Branagáin - Introduction to the Project

Safa Al-bekaa aka Azraq - Bankstown Central

Ashton Salei - Bankstown Gospel Hall

Rania Omar - Bankstown Library

Zara Hashmi - Bankstown Train Station

Find the complete audio walking tour at Outloud's Website: https://outloud.org.au/projects/stories-from-here-an-audio-tour-of-bankstown/

These stories were recorded by Phoebe Adler-Ryan and Ramon Briant.

With sound design and editing by Thomas Phillips.

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash

Mixed by Emma Higgins

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you had to tell the story of your life, what moments would you share? 

This week we hear from people who have lived well and have the yarns to prove it.

Silence of the Irish

In our first story, Grace brings to light a deeply held secret of her Irish Catholic grandparents.

Produced by Grace Macpherson. 

The supervising producer was Eugenia Zoubtchenko.

Story of Your Life

Death prompts people to reflect on the lives they’ve had, but they aren’t always able to share their stories with those around them. Annie is a volunteer biographer at a palliative care centre and listens to the residents stories, changing her (and storymaker Lee Robinson’s) understanding of death in the process. 

Produced by Lee Robinson. 

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash

Mixed by Emma Higgins

Image Credit: Rachel Macpherson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, tales of open water swimming - from the beauty of plunging into parkland ponds to the freedom of venturing into wild waves.

Wild Swimming

In our first story, Corey needs a swim, and finds themselves wading through British cultural norms to find one. 

This story was written, recited and produced by Corey Green.

Jasmin Alavuk was the Story Editor and special thanks goes to E Coffey and Phoebe Adler-Ryan for production assistance. 

Thanks for sound recordings from: Kangaroovindaloo, Bonnyorbit, Kyles, Brunoauzet, Rthijs. Philbrice, Carlvus, 16GStepankovaS, Nature Notes UK, Kerouac21, jorickhoofd, Nielstii, Mlteenie, Robinhood76, NLM, Nagwense, Joedeshon, anthonyec, strongbot, klankbeeld, Philipmill6, Sageturtle

To find these and many more check out freesound.org and aporee.org

Open Waters 

Up next, we’re wading back into local waters. Pat interviews his Aunt and Uncle about their interest in ocean swimming and the sublime, humbling and breathtaking beauty that can be discovered in the deep blue.

This story was produced by Patrick McKenzie.

Featuring interviews with Annette and Peter McKenzie. 

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash

Mixed by Emma Higgins

Image Credit: Corey Green

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we feature two Australian-Turkish writers, who ruminate on the topic of belonging, home and immigration.

In their distinctive creative ways, Ela Pinar and Eda Gunaydin unpack the confusion of feeling homesick for a land that was never truly ‘home’ to begin with. 

1.10 - In This Version of Home

First, Ela tells the story of her journey to Turkey, a place she does and doesn't call home. 

Find Ela’s artist page on instagram at @elapinar__

This story was written, recited and produced by Ela Pinar

Sound design was by Ramon Briant

The Supervising Producer was Phoebe Adler-Ryan

This story features music by Koray Kiliç

20:16 - Discussions on ‘Root and Branch’

Then, host Mads speaks to award-winning essayist and scholar Eda Gunaydin, to explore her understanding of home and homeland. 

You can find Eda’s work in the Sydney Review of Books, The Age, Meanjin and elsewhere. Her book ‘Root and Branch: essays on inheritance’ is an incredible read we recommend you seek out at your local bookshop.

Follow Eda and keep an eye out for her next work at @edapresents

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash

Image Credit: Ela Pinar

Music: Working for the Knife by Mitski & Mahur Saz Semani by Seyyah

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, stories about breaking the rules of modern society.

And just a heads up - it’s the punk episode - so there might be some swears.

Please Come to My Show

In our first story, we’re gonna hear from five people looking back at their young, punk selves, and how the politics, music, and spirit of this community has continued to shape their lives. 

That story was produced by Mel Bakewell with production assistance by Phoebe Adler-Ryan.

Thank you to all of the contributors to that piece, including Tim Steward.

A shout out to Charlie Fern and Jasper Craig-Adams, hosts at FBi Radio. You can catch Charlie on the Sunday Overhang and Jasper on Real to Reel Wednesdays.

The Ballad of Gary Bamford

Sometimes we encounter people who are like a portal to another world, who show us a completely new way to be. In our next story, Laura shares how a chance encounter with a man at a grocery store changes her life unexpectedly. 

That story was produced by Laura Luck. Find more of her work at lauraluck.com 

The Supervising Producer was Dan Semo. 

Featuring music by Gary Bamford.

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash

Image Credit: Laura Luck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.