Stars and Stories: The Black Star Radio Podcast

Stars and Stories Podcast

Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland.

Meet Gerald

Gerald Quigley is a practising Community Pharmacist, as well as an Accredited Herbalist.

Gerald is a Pharmacist and Master Herbalist based in Melbourne. He is a media health commentator heard each week on many radio stations.   

He is co-hosts the House of Wellness radio program heard each Sunday on the Nine Radio Network live across Australia. 

Gerald is a Fellow of the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia and Fellow of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society. 

Gerald’s passion is to empower each person to make sensible health decisions, and to continually maintain and improve their quality of life, especially as they age. 

In this mini-episode of Stars and Stories, MJ and Gerald Quigley explore the impact of food on heart health.

Eating more fruit and veggies supports a stronger heart. As Gerald says, “We call heart-healthy food a package of goodness.”

Think fresh produce, lean proteins, and whole grains—it’s a simple recipe for better health.

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Stars and Stories Podcast

Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland.

Meet Gerald

Gerald Quigley is a practising Community Pharmacist, as well as an Accredited Herbalist.

Gerald is a Pharmacist and Master Herbalist based in Melbourne. He is a media health commentator heard each week on many radio stations.   

He is co-hosts the House of Wellness radio program heard each Sunday on the Nine Radio Network live across Australia. 

Gerald is a Fellow of the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia and Fellow of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society. 

Gerald’s passion is to empower each person to make sensible health decisions, and to continually maintain and improve their quality of life, especially as they age. 

----more----

Stars and Stories Podcast

Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland.

Meet Gerald

Gerald Quigley is a practising Community Pharmacist, as well as an Accredited Herbalist.

Gerald is a Pharmacist and Master Herbalist based in Melbourne. He is a media health commentator heard each week on many radio stations.   

He is co-hosts the House of Wellness radio program heard each Sunday on the Nine Radio Network live across Australia. 

Gerald is a Fellow of the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia and Fellow of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society. 

Gerald’s passion is to empower each person to make sensible health decisions, and to continually maintain and improve their quality of life, especially as they age. 

In this mini-episode of Stars and Stories, MJ is joined by Gerald Quigley, a practising Community Pharmacist and Accredited Herbalist, to talk heart health.

Want a stronger heart? Start with the basics:

The best part? Many of these are manageable without medication. Start small. Your heart will thank you.

Listen now. 

----more----

Stars and Stories Podcast

Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland.

Meet Gerald

Gerald Quigley is a practising Community Pharmacist, as well as an Accredited Herbalist.

Gerald is a Pharmacist and Master Herbalist based in Melbourne. He is a media health commentator heard each week on many radio stations.   

He is co-hosts the House of Wellness radio program heard each Sunday on the Nine Radio Network live across Australia. 

Gerald is a Fellow of the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia and Fellow of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society. 

Gerald’s passion is to empower each person to make sensible health decisions, and to continually maintain and improve their quality of life, especially as they age. 

Stars and Stories Podcast

Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland.

Meet Gerald

Gerald Quigley is a practising Community Pharmacist, as well as an Accredited Herbalist.

Gerald is a Pharmacist and Master Herbalist based in Melbourne. He is a media health commentator heard each week on many radio stations.   

He is co-hosts the House of Wellness radio program heard each Sunday on the Nine Radio Network live across Australia. 

Gerald is a Fellow of the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia and Fellow of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society. 

Gerald’s passion is to empower each person to make sensible health decisions, and to continually maintain and improve their quality of life, especially as they age. 

Rethinking Generosity, Justice, and Safety in Australia — with Nicola Stokes

In this thought-provoking episode of Stars and Stories, MJ is joined by Nicola Stokes, CCA Board Member, General Manager AMP Foundation, to talk about the challenges facing Australia’s charity and community sectors.

With the rising cost of living, Australians are giving less, volunteering less, and increasingly feeling like they don’t have the time or resources to help. Nicola highlights that charities—once the backbone of our communities—are now being stretched thin by funding gaps, government red tape, and public disengagement.

But this episode goes even deeper, exploring systemic issues that affect community wellbeing.

“Australia now has 18,000 un-sentenced prisoners waiting to be sentenced.  A third of our prisoners have disabilities and chronic health conditions.  Over a third are Indigenous.  80% of prisoners have not completed secondary schooling.” https://communitycouncil.com.au

This episode asks a simple but urgent question:

What kind of country do we want to be—and what will it take to get there?

Listen now on Stars and Stories

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Stars and Stories Podcast

Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland.

Meet Nicola

Nicola Stokes, CCA Board Member, General Manager AMP Foundation

Nicola has held national and international leadership positions as CEO, senior executive, and director. With a track record in the banking, financial services and for purpose arenas, Nicola believes that developing partnerships which result in increased market share or revenue, in addition to operational excellence, are key capabilities for any executive.

Nicola practices a leadership philosophy with positive psychology at its core as a way of creating environments within which individuals and ideas thrive.  

Nicola thrives in the complexity of positive and intelligent engagement with a variety of competing stakeholders, while effectively balancing the positive tension between relationship driven and governance focussed organisations. Nicola is a graduate of Monash University Melbourne, INSEAD and AICD.

When not focussing her energies in the for purpose sector, Nicola runs a merino sheep farm, with her husband George, in the southern table lands of NSW.

Honouring History — Frontier Wars Commemoration with Neville Reys

In this powerful episode of Stars and Stories, Mark Hogan is joined by Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Elder Neville Reys to share the story behind this year’s Frontier Wars Commemoration—taking place on ANZAC Day eve, Thursday 24 April 2025, from 5pm–6.30pm at the corner of Abbott & Shield Streets, near the shields.

Frontier Wars impacted all Australia’s Tribal Nations who suffered enormous losses – Elders, parents, children and babies – were murdered and lost to us forever. Neville shares why remembering this history matters, not only for recognition but for healing.

"The importance of presenting the Frontier Wars in a public space to educate the public about this history is not only beneficial for any person who sees or hears it, it also allows for healing."

This is an opportunity for our local community to truly appreciate the resilience of the Gimuy Walabara Yidinji bama and every other tribe across Australia who survived the Frontier Wars with their identity and knowledge of their ancestral connection and responsibility to land and sea Countries intact.

Listen to the full conversation on Stars and Stories and learn more about the upcoming commemoration.

Everyone is welcome.

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Stars and Stories Podcast

Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland.

Normanton Barra Classic Wrap-Up with Greg Cameron

In this episode of Stars and Stories, MJ is joined by Greg Cameron for the full wrap-up on this year’s Normanton Barra Classic, held over the Easter weekend.

It was a huge few days packed with live music, great vibes, and record fish catches—and a big win for community spirit. This year’s event raised over $40,000 to give back to local initiatives.

And in true Barra Classic style, the $10,000 winning ticket was one of the last sold—claimed by Gus from Chinchilla!

Catch all the highlights, hear about the action on the water, and find out why the Normanton Barra Classic continues to be such a standout event.

Listen to the full episode now on Stars and Stories.

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Stars and Stories Podcast

Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland.

Stars and Stories Podcast

Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland.

Gerald Quigley is a practising Community Pharmacist, as well as an Accredited Herbalist.

Gerald is a Pharmacist and Master Herbalist based in Melbourne. He is a media health commentator heard each week on many radio stations.   

He is co-hosts the House of Wellness radio program heard each Sunday on the Nine Radio Network live across Australia. 

Gerald is a Fellow of the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia and Fellow of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society. 

Gerald’s passion is to empower each person to make sensible health decisions, and to continually maintain and improve their quality of life, especially as they age. 

In this episode of Stars and Stories, MJ is joined by Gerald Quigley, practising Community Pharmacist and Accredited Herbalist, to talk about the essential role magnesium plays in our health.

Magnesium is involved in over 300 vital reactions in the body, but as Gerald explains, many people assume they're getting enough from foods like green leafy vegetables or fruit. In reality, low levels are more common than we think. When this happens, the body may try to maintain balance by drawing magnesium from your bones.

The 300+ vital reactions in the body include:

Common signs of low magnesium include night-time leg cramps, eyelid twitches, fatigue or low energy, and even poor quality sleep. Gerald shares how safe and effective magnesium supplements can restore your levels—often within just a day or two—so you can feel better, sleep better, and get back to enjoying life.

He also encourages listeners to seek professional advice to ensure they’re choosing the best option for their individual needs.

----more----

Stars and Stories Podcast

Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland.

Meet Gerald

Gerald Quigley is a practising Community Pharmacist, as well as an Accredited Herbalist.

Gerald is a Pharmacist and Master Herbalist based in Melbourne. He is a media health commentator heard each week on many radio stations.   

He is co-hosts the House of Wellness radio program heard each Sunday on the Nine Radio Network live across Australia. 

Gerald is a Fellow of the Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia and Fellow of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society. 

Gerald’s passion is to empower each person to make sensible health decisions, and to continually maintain and improve their quality of life, especially as they age.