Big Little Small Talk

Chris Meyer is a Christian Cowboy. With a degree in theology and a history of rodeo bronc riding, he managed to combine his two passions; horses and Jesus.

Chris was appointed the first official Chaplain of the National Rodeo Association of Australia, a job he did for 25 years. He conducted funerals, married people on the circuit, even baptised baby cowboys and girls.

A thoroughly delightful interview.

Gunter Glaser is a snake catcher. He even wears a shirt with the inscription “Keep Calm - Let Gunter handle it”.

Gunter tells Megan some incredible stories of close encounters with reptiles. One story involved Gunter being called out to collect a snake which turned out to be the neighbour’s pet. Another of snakes eating the family pets (think guinea pigs and chickens).

A delightful interview with someone who genuinely loves his job and the subjects he works with.

Trish Mullins is passionate about her work as the coordinator of the Kath Dickson Community Toy Library and Mobile Library.

She drives a van, kitted out with over 1600 toys, on a 1500km round trip to bring joy to western Queensland families.

Trish was born and raised in the bucolic Norfolk (UK) countryside, the daughter of a Vicar and a Bishop’s daughter. At 8 her family moved to Zululand in South Africa.

It’s fair to say…everything that has followed in Trish’s life has been an adventure. From marrying an Australian cowboy to saving koalas, it’s been quite the rollicking ride.

Louis Gilshenan is one of Toowoomba’s much loved and hard working veterinarians. He’s been guilty of calling people by their pet names but there’s nothing he loves more than having a genuine friendship with their owners.

Louis’ enthusiasm for his work is infectious and he tells Megan stories that made her think long and hard about the role of the local vet in our community.

A delightful interview….more “All Creatures Great and Small” than “Bondi Vet” thankfully.

Helen Cowley has written a book “Behind Every Great Tradie is a Woman Rolling her Eyes”. She describes it as a love letter to the women holding businesses together behind the scenes.

Helen tells Megan how she balanced babies, business and board meetings. It was at times, all consuming and she often felt she was feeling lost and burnt out.

Pink hair and lots of laughter seem to be part of the reason Helen has lived to tell the tale.

Senior Constable Catherine Nielsen’s story is a chilling one. On 29 May 2017, she and her work partner, Brett Forte were in the Lockyer Valley pursuing a fugitive killer. They followed him down a dirt track only for him to stop his vehicle, get out and open fire upon them. Brett was fatally shot. The fallout from this tragedy and the subsequent inquest has left Catherine with more questions than answers.A moving interview told with courage, grace and true grit.

What motivates a group of mild mannered older Australian women to protest outside their local member of parliament’s office every week? Rhonda Allen, Morley Grainger & Franziska Charteris explain to Megan; it’s the fear of what coal and gas mining is doing to our precious planet and what our future generations will inherit.Knitting Nannas call themselves a “disorganisation”, they are not party aligned and vow to “annoy all politicians equally”. They sit, they knit, they plot. Knit in, knit on Nannas!!

Sharyn Howard has lead an incredible life and she’s written a book; “What’s in the Box” to document her journey so far.From a childhood marred by trauma and loss, Sharyn embarked on a path of liberation that would take her to the farthest corners of the world and into the depths of her own soul. From the monasteries of Tibet to meeting the Dalai Lama in India... from volunteering on Mother Theresa's missions in Kolkota and starting her own Prison Project in Nepal.

Sharyn has a wealth of stories, only skimming the surface with Megan here today.

Ahri Tallon is the coordinator of Darling Downs Environment Council. He grew up in the Northern Rivers region of NSW with parents who valued the environment. Ahri has a strong sense of community and the components that make a “rich” one. From his youth work to programs around healthy masculinity, his advocacy and activism is admirable and inspiring.

In his own words Michael Harrison is a Brisbane-based community advocate, husband, and dad who has found his purpose in supporting people with Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disabilities.

His life has been shaped by family, career, and the journey he’s been on since becoming a father 18 years ago.

A charming interview with a man who can see a silver lining at 100 paces.