Town Criers

We continue our adventure through Portland, this time getting into the sport of the town. Whether you’re into footy, basketball, surfing… or even walking, Portland does it better than most.

The surf beaches are so good, Damian gets put in a car boot for a secret tour from a local surfer, who cannot be named, for fear of retribution. While Kirsten goes to Cape Bridgewater to experience the Great South West Walk.

We also hear the incredible story of how nearby Budj Bim, the world’s oldest aquaculture system, came to be listed on the World Heritage List in 2019… a process which took nearly two decades.

Damian and Kirsten finally make it up the corkscrew and witness the mysterious ‘truck rocket launchers’. 

Featuring:

• Bill Golding  - One of the Founders of the Great South West Walk and former Principal of Portland High School.

• Dr Denis Rose - Gunditjmara man and former Project Manager for the Budj Bim Sustainable Development Partnership.

• Cr Karen Stephens - Mayor of the Glenelg Shire, who takes us up the corkscrew and to the rocket launchers!

• Chris ‘Lefty” Wright - Portland’s most prolific local footy player.

• Unnamed Portland Surfer - who wishes to remain anonymous for his own safety.

And the verdict’s in! Damo and Kirsten give their Town Criers’ small town criteria assessment. So, how will Portland fare on their unique scale?

If you haven’t listened to our first episode, make sure you catch up!

Thank you to The Committee for Portland for sponsoring this episode (and special mention for Portland Women in Business).

Would you like the Town Criers to come to your town? Visit our website.

This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production.

We’ve stopped in Portland, on the south-west coast of Victoria. On this adventure, Damian and Kirsten gain access to the Port of Portland, learn about Portland’s very own Town Crier and in an exclusive, find out about a Premier who had a rather embarrassing moment at a 1984 parade.

We learn about the fierce women of the Digby Rifle Club, zoom around town on the Portland Cable Tram (at the speed of 1km/per hour) and shop at some of the best-named stores, such as Men’s Beer and Gear, Blush Stuff on Percy and the Shoe Cove.

Featuring:

• Cr Karen Stephens - Mayor of the Glenelg Shire, who we took on a spin around town and to Portland’s main attractions.
• Lynda Cooper - Portland resident who was part of the organising committee for the 1984, 150 years of European Settlement of Portland event.
• Vern McCallum - Keeper of the largest collection of historical photographs covering south-west Victoria.

This episode leaves us with more questions than answers, like:

• What is this ‘corkscrew’; everyone keeps telling us about?
• What is a truck rocket launcher and who is responsible for OHS?

So, we did another Portland episode! Make sure you listen to Portland, part 2.

Thank you to The Committee for Portland for sponsoring this episode (and special mention for Portland Women in Business).

Would you like the Town Criers to come to your town? Visit our website.

This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production.

Hey there, we’re Kirsten and Damian! Join us as we embark on a road trip to discover Australia’s hidden gems.

From tiny towns with just a hall and footy field to larger rural communities with arts centres and multiple Aldis, each episode offers a humorous, yet insightful look into the unique stories and characters that make these places tick.

With Damian Callinan's comedian knack for finding the quirkiest details of country life and Kirsten Diprose's journalistic eye for a good story, Town Criers delivers a fresh perspective on Australia’s smaller communities.

Our first episodes drop on September 26, 2024! Hit follow now, so you don't miss out.

Would you like the Town Criers to come to your town? Visit our website.

This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production.