Made In Lithgow

In this episode of Made in Lithgow, Brad and Ian sit down with Dan, CEO of the Zig Zag Railway—an icon of Lithgow, NSW and one of the most important pieces of railway heritage in Australia. From its origins in the 1860s as an engineering marvel connecting Sydney to the west, to its rebirth as a heritage railway after devastating fires, the Zig Zag represents resilience, innovation, and community spirit.Dan shares his personal journey leading the railway’s revival, the challenges of restoring century-old locomotives, and the vision for making Zig Zag a world-class tourism experience. We discuss the Railway’s vital role in Lithgow’s history, its impact on local businesses, and the exciting future opportunities with the Western Sydney Airport opening in 2026.If you care about heritage, tourism, or Lithgow’s future, this episode is a must-listen.

From Lithgow to the world stage: journalist and podcaster Lisa Mclean has covered everything from Prince Andrew and Epstein to Vanderpump scandals — but nothing has captivated the nation like the Mushroom Murder Trial.Lisa sat inside the courtroom, tracked Erin Patterson’s lies, and brings us first-hand insight into one of Australia’s most shocking crimes — a Sunday lunch that ended in tragedy, three deaths, and headlines across the globe.In this exclusive chat, we cover:✅ Lisa’s strange online link to Erin years before the murders✅ The chilling details of the fatal Beef Wellington lunch✅ Why this case gripped Australia (and the world) like no other✅ The ripple effect on families, victims, and even the mushroom industry✅ Lisa’s Lithgow roots, journalism journey, and her upcoming documentary, Death CapIt’s raw, gripping, and one you won’t hear anywhere else.

What do you get when you mix a butcher’s apron, a drum kit, a long bus ride to Blue Mountains Grammar, and a love for Lithgow? You get Blake Edgell – musician, family man, and one of the region’s leading real estate agents.In this episode of Made in Lithgow, Brad and Legend take a trip down memory lane with Blake — from late-night gigs with Wide Load, to meeting his childhood sweetheart Kate, to helping locals score their very first home. Along the way, we dive into vacant shops, housing affordability, and the big projects that could reshape Lithgow’s future.It’s a conversation about opportunity, optimism, and why Lithgow is worth investing in – not just in property, but in community, connection, and a way of life.

In this episode of Made in Lithgow, Ian and Brad sit down with Brad’s parents, Robert and Linda Cluff—the visionary couple behind a hospitality powerhouse that started as Black Gold Cabins, evolved into Black Gold Motel, and is now simply known as Black Gold.What they’ve built isn’t just a business. It’s a beacon of possibility—rising from the bones of the decommissioned Wallerawang Public School, where Robert once cried walking through the gates as a child, and where four generations of Cluffs studied, including Brad, Katrina, Derryn, and Robert’s grandmother.Today, that same site is home to:🏨 71 rooms across villas, cabins, suites, and motel-style accommodation🍽️ Tripadvisor’s #1-rated restaurant and accommodation in the Central West & Blue Mountains🏛️ The Barton Centre – a modern training and conference venue used by agencies across NSW🏆 Business NSW’s Best Large Business in the State🌍 Tripadvisor’s Top 1% of Hotels Worldwide – #21 in Australia (2025)👥 A team of 45 staff, welcoming 60,000+ guests each yearRobert, a fitter and former coal mine deputy, brought the shovel and the daring.Linda, a former Police Assistance Line worker and office administrator, brought the structure and systems to grow it.Together, they proved what’s possible with vision, sacrifice, and relentless teamwork.Now joined by Brad and his wife Emily, Black Gold continues to thrive as a cornerstone of regional tourism and transformation—right across from a concrete dispatch plant, a rock-crushing yard, and an old power station. Proof that beauty and brilliance can come from anywhere.At the heart of it all is Robert’s favourite saying:👉 Never say can’t.This is a story of family. Of grit. Of building something bigger than yourself.And of what it takes to turn the unused old… into gold.

In this episode of Made in Lithgow, we explore the fascinating story of Phil Evans, a Lithgow local who is making waves in the world of CrossFit. Despite suffering from debilitating health issues, Phil transformed his life through fitness, mindset, and nutrition, leading him to qualify #21 at the CrossFit Games in Ohio. Listeners will hear about his upbringing in the cold climate of Lithgow, his childhood adventures, and the resilience and determination that helped him overcome his challenges. Phil's inspiring journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and community support.

What happens when a retail veteran and her ambitious daughter trade the chaos of Sydney for the charm of Lithgow? In this episode, we sit down with Lara and Paris Hall, the powerhouse pair behind TWIG boutique and a rising real estate career. From Ironfest epiphanies to raising kids and reshaping Main Street, their journey is a heartfelt tale of risk, resilience, and regional opportunity. We dive into the struggles of small-town retail, the housing market squeeze, and how community, creativity, and connection are carving a new future for Lithgow.

Born, bred & raised in Lithgow, Makenzie Denley is shaping the future from the ground up—literally. As an Environmental & Community Officer at Centennial Coal, she’s one of the youngest and most grounded voices in the mining and energy conversation. In this wide-ranging episode, Makenzie shares what it’s like to grow up in a changing regional town, navigate online university, work in a male-dominated industry, and speak up for her generation in rooms where decisions are made. We dive into everything from community consultation and energy security to mental health, practical education, and what our youth need from their hometown. This is an honest and hopeful look at the future of Lithgow—from someone who’s living it.

In Episode 30 of Made in Lithgow, Brad and Legend go guest-free to reflect on the stories shaping their hometown. This candid conversation covers everything from a huge maintenance shutdown at Mt Piper. Black Gold’s rise to the global top 1% on TripAdvisor, broken lookouts, blocked roads, and tourism potential bursting at the seams. They spotlight local legends making waves in sport, share the behind-the-scenes fight to save the Small Arms Factory Museum, and issue a challenge to get the basics right. Whether you're here for grassroots grit or big-picture hope, this episode is a celebration of community, progress, and pride.

Ben Houlison’s journey is everything Made in Lithgow stands for — resilience, purpose, and the strength of community.After a life-altering mining accident in his early twenties, Ben was stripped back to bare basics — but never alone. Surrounded by the love and support of his entire family — including his parents Geoff and Robyn, brother Matt,, sister Amanda, and eventually the love of his life, Gemma — Ben rebuilt his life one determined step at a time.He found his purpose again through wheelchair basketball, then discovered new calling on the water. In 2009, Ben proudly wore the green and gold, winning a bronze medal for Australia in adaptive rowing at the World Rowing Championships in Poznań, Poland.Today, Ben runs a cattle farm at McKanes Falls, raises his daughter Clancy, and travels the country as a respected workplace safety speaker. His story is not just about surviving—it’s about choosing to thrive and building a life defined by meaning, memories, and the people who stood by him.This episode powerfully reminds us that real strength isn’t in what we’ve endured—it’s in what we create next.

From the basketball courts of Lithgow to the Australian Army and into boardrooms across the nation, Scott Simcoe has spent a lifetime mastering structure, leadership, and clear communication. In this episode of Made in Lithgow, we uncover the story behind Message Train — the regional business delivering custom, large-scale, immersive digital training to some of Australia’s biggest companies and government agencies.Shaped by his time in the Army and grounded in the values of sport, community, and family, Scott — alongside co-founder Sharon Simcoe — built a tech-enabled learning company that simplifies complexity and turns critical knowledge into action. Whether it’s health and safety, leadership, or change management, Message Train designs training that sticks.In this episode:How a workplace accident became the catalyst for a national learning platformThe Army’s influence on communication, systems, and leadershipHow Lithgow Basketball and community values shaped Scott’s business DNAWhat makes great training fail — and how Message Train solves itBuilding a scalable, and immersive training solutions business from regional NSWPerfect for listeners searching for:Scalable corporate training & eLearning strategiesBehavioural science in workplace learningDigital innovation in safety, leadership & communicationRegional entrepreneurship with national impactFamily-led business success stories from LithgowNow streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.#MadeInLithgow #ScottSimcoe #MessageTrain #CorporateTraining #DigitalLearning #ArmyToEntrepreneur #LeadershipCulture #LithgowBusiness #CustomTrainingAustralia

What do you get when you cross two third-generation Italo-Aussies, a tonne of work ethic, a few pallets of tomatoes, and a national TV appearance? You get Frank Capamola and Frank Inzitari—the brains behind the Fire Halo, and the hearts behind some of Lithgow’s most iconic family-run businesses.In this episode, we dive deep into the post-war immigrant grit that shaped their families’ arrival in Lithgow, the rise of their fruit shops and roadhouses, and the hilarious and heartfelt stories that made them who they are. From driving forklifts at age 9 to bagging spuds for love, to landing on Shark Tank with a game-changing fire protection system—this is a story of hustle, humour, heart, and home.Whether you’re a fan of clever inventions, small-town legends, or just bloody good blokes, this episode is for you.

NRL Front Rower. Business leader. And just a bloody good bloke.In this episode of Made in Lithgow, we sit down with Tim Maddison — a former first-grade enforcer who played 115 games across five clubs, including the Knights, Roosters, Sharks, Cowboys, Mariners & a stint in France. But that was just the first chapter.After hanging up the boots, Tim tackled something just as tough — business. Today, he runs Maddison Safety, one of Australia’s leading PPE suppliers, and now proudly owns Lithgow Fire & Safety.But the biggest twist? Tim recently discovered deep family roots in Lithgow, including a great-grandfather who played against the touring English rugby league team in 1932 and helped build the town’s early Mines Rescue legacy.We talk:💥 Old-school NRL stories (and a few good hits)🛠️ Building a business on values and hard work🧬 Uncovering a legacy buried in Lithgow’s coal and footy fields🤝 Why your network is your net worth💡 And why being a good bloke still matters most

When we first kicked off Made in Lithgow, Brad De Losa was our white whale. Not just because of his world records or championship titles, but because he embodies what this region is — calm, grounded, and quietly extraordinary.In this episode, we sit down with one of the world’s most successful timber sports athletes — a 3× Individual World Champion, 9× Team World Champion with the Chopperoos, and Australian record-holder in the sport’s most explosive discipline. Yet when you meet him, it’s not the records that hit you — it’s the humility, the clarity, and the deep pride in his roots.🪓 Brad’s Achievements:3× STIHL Timbersports World Champion9× Team World Champion (Chopperoos)Set a world record: 4 logs cut in under 58 seconds3× Australian Champion2023 World Trophy Bronze MedallistAustralian Hot Saw Record: 5.78 secondsCompeted in 20+ countries, representing Lithgow on the global stageAs we sit back and reflect, it’s hard not to ask:How is it that we place such high cultural value on rugby league, netball, soccer — all brilliant but ultimately entertainment — while a sport like this, with deep practical roots in our working history, flies under the radar?This conversation isn’t just about sport but character, craftsmanship, and carving a legacy. It’s about quiet power and a life shaped by timber, steel, and purpose.

In this episode of Made In Lithgow, we sit down with Lithgow Golf Club President and former coal industry stalwart, Greg Guest.Greg takes us through the long and proud history of the Golf Club — from a time when Lithgow had three golf courses, to the challenges and milestones faced over the decades, and its evolving role in the heart of the community today.With a lifetime spent in the coal mines, Greg also shares his reflections on life underground, the bonds forged in tough conditions, and his thoughts on the changing energy landscape and what the future might hold for Lithgow.Just hours before recording, Brad ran into eight former colleagues from both the mines and the power station. When Greg’s name came up, they all said the same thing — “He’s one of us.” That’s the kind of quiet respect Greg commands.We were both sincerely impressed with Greg’s intellect, his thoughtful and considerate responses, and his willingness to say what he thinks — in a time when many stay quiet in the face of negativity. It was a grounded, insightful conversation with a true local legend.It is one for anyone invested in Lithgow’s past, present, and future.

In this episode of Made in Lithgow, Brad and Ian chat with Craig Flynn—coal miner, canyoning enthusiast, bushwalker, and president of the Central Tablelands Mountain Bike Club. With Lithgow’s rich history and stunning natural terrain, Craig shares his vision for the region’s future, balancing industry, tourism, and recreation. We dive into the exciting $6 million mountain bike transformation project, Lithgow’s potential as an adventure tourism hotspot, and what it means to grow up and stay connected in a tight-knit town. Whether you’re into mountain biking, the great outdoors, or Lithgow’s evolving identity, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

With Cyclone Alfred looming, we felt this conversation was too important to wait, so we’re releasing it early. This episode dives deep into community resilience, disaster response, and what it takes to rebuild after catastrophe.We sit down with Lyndall Murray, proudly born and bred in Lithgow, whose career has taken her from marketing roles with the NRL’s Wests Tigers and the launch of the GWS Giants under Kevin Sheedy to playing a pivotal role in the launch of Wet’n’Wild Sydney. But it was during Australia’s largest natural disaster—the Northern Rivers floods—that she truly stepped into leadership.In this episode, Lyndall shares:🏡 Her upbringing in Lithgow and how it shaped her resilience🌊 First-hand experiences from the Northern Rivers floods and the failures of emergency response🤝 How Mick Fanning and community-led action saved thousands of lives⚡ What Lithgow can learn from disaster recovery and economic transitionThis is a must-listen conversation about leadership in crisis, the power of community, and how to prepare for an uncertain future.📣 Learn more and watch the award-winning documentary at washedaway.com.au.#MadeInLithgow #CommunityStrength #DisasterRecovery #Leadership #RegionalResilience #WashedAway #CycloneAlfred

Now is the time for mature conversations. Debate is good. Respect is important. At the core of it, we’re all human—we might have different views, but at the base of it, we all want the same things: a thriving town, opportunity for our kids, and a strong future for Lithgow. The fact is, our town is in another transition. It’s not the first time, but it might be the biggest. We’re about to lose 42% of our GDP, and anyone who knows Lithgow can see the slide downhill while our neighbouring towns are booming. In the past few weeks, we’ve lost our two major festivals, and our Small Arms Factory Museum is under serious threat. The writing is on the wall. So, what do we do about it? This week, we sit down with Councillor Tom Evangeledis, who has strong—and sometimes opposing—views on how Lithgow should move forward. Rather than let these conversations play out in social media arguments, we’re bringing them to the table with respect. We cover: ⚡ Energy transition – nuclear, renewables, and energy-from-waste 🏭 Why industry and manufacturing need to be part of the plan 🏛️ The future of the Small Arms Factory Museum – a piece of history at risk 🏡 The real challenges Lithgow is facing, and where we go from here

Lithgow is at a crossroads, with major events and attractions facing an uncertain future and a transition in which we seem to be forgotten. In a town promised that “No-one held back, no-one left behind,” it's hard not to feel like we’re being left in the dust.In this episode, Brad & Ian tackle some hard truths, including: 🎸🏛 Ironfest canceled & Beatlesfest moved to Bathurst – two significant losses for the region’s event calendar. 🛠️ The fight to save the Small Arms Factory Museum – a nationally significant site under threat after a devastating security breach and an ongoing lease battle, with very little community support. (Read more: https://www.echo.net.au/2025/02/goodwill-lost-over-museum-backflip/) 🧱 The call for action – why Lithgow needs to stop talking and start laying bricks to bridge the looming $400M GDP gap. 🌄 Opportunities on the horizon – from the Lost City upgrades to a $6M mountain bike investment. 🌏🏉 Local legends making waves – from Emmy nominations to NRL debuts, Lithgow’s talent continues to shine on the national stage.🔥 It’s an unfiltered, passionate conversation about what Lithgow must do to secure its future.🎤 We want your feedback! Got thoughts, ideas, or challenges? We’d love to hear from you!

In this episode of Made in Lithgow, we sit down with the one and only Uncle Bob Sutor—a local legend who's done it all. Uncle Bob has left his mark on Lithgow and beyond, from musician to comedian, film producer, film director, Aboriginal elder, and teacher. We dive deep into his heritage, his experiences growing up in Lithgow, and the evolution of the town’s once-thriving music scene. Uncle Bob shares his memories of the golden days of pub gigs, the battle of the bands, live rock acts at Workies, and the challenges musicians face today. We also discuss Lithgow’s rich Aboriginal history, including the significance of Maiyingu Marragu – Black Fellows Hands Reserve, the importance of cultural preservation, and Bob’s work with One Mob at Secret Creek. This is a conversation full of stories, laughs, and history, with a man who’s been a part of Lithgow’s cultural heartbeat for decades. Tune in now! 🎧🔥

In this episode of Made in Lithgow, we sit down with Sue Murdoch, the heart and soul behind Nana’s Touch Community Connection. What started as a grandmother's journey to find support for her grandson with autism has grown into a vital lifeline for the Lithgow community. From disability advocacy and social connection groups to a thriving community kitchen and food rescue program, Sue and her team are filling the gaps that often leave people behind. Join us as we explore the power of grassroots action, the importance of local support, and the incredible impact one person can have on a town