The People We Meet

At sixteen, Ron Smith left home for a life of adventure at sea that has spanned 54 years and counting. From serving in the New Zealand Navy to mastering saturated diving and commanding tugboats, this unassuming man has lived a remarkably daring life.

Alan Mcdonald joined the Victorian Police Force in 1961 and after an interesting and varied career in the Force he ended up as the OC of "D24" in Russell street Melbourne.The name "D24" for the major police communications center in Melbourne during the 1980s originated from its physical location within the Russell Street Police Headquarters. Specifically, it referred to the Victoria Police Information Bureau, which was housed in Corridor D, Room 24 of the headquarters. This designation became the callsign for the central radio dispatch center, which managed all emergency calls (via 000, 11444, or from police stations) and coordinated communications with police units across Victoria. The D24 center was staffed by experienced serving police officers and used a dedicated "Batphone" speed-dial system to contact stations, with all communications and calls being tape-recorded. The name "D24" stuck as a shorthand for this critical hub of police operations, which was also featured in a popular radio drama series in the 1950s and later in the TV series Homicide.

I met Mark at his art studio in Derby, Western Australia We sat by his giant Boab tree chatting and listening to the birds.Such a nice, unexpected place in Derby.Mark is a renowned artist and former art teacher who has lived in Derby, the Kimberley region of Western Australia since 1981. Mark's artworks have been exhibited widely around Australia, and overseas, and has won over 50 Awards.@norvalgallery (instagram)

I met Michael in the Norval Gallery gardens in Derby Western Australia, Michael started the conversation (as he has been advised to do) about his life on the Gibb River road.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-22/how-broome-left-the-kimberley-and-came-back-again/9571056#godbeforegugeri#michaelgugeri#gibbriverroad#derbypodcast

I met Rita early one morning in the dark as she was banging on my car window, I thought she was a crazy woman.Within an hour I started to think she just might be one of the funniest women I've ever met!

I met Steve through my sister Lisa (podcast #41) who is working with him. He is a an Australian country rock singer-songwriter whose life has recently taken some unexpected twists and turns.Like the time he died!

I've never met Ian but I look forward to the day we do. He is such a nice, genuine man who is very generous with his time who just cares about people being healthy.He is in his 70's and on a mission for a healthy World.https://wowintl.orghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaCc8NobSvk

I met Danny years ago when we were flying the Adelaide rescue helicopter. He was possibly the only helicopter rescue crewman in the world who is completely deaf ( podcast #5)Unfortunately for Danny things have recently changed in the world.https://www.sacic.com.au/for-clients/recipient-stories/daniel-clarke

A recently discovered letter, written in 1978 prompted this lovely conversation with Julie Anthony, the iconic Australian singer. She met my dad during a film shoot for South Australian Tourism at Wilpena Pound.He was the helicopter pilot on that shoot. This story isn't just about a film shoot; it's about how fleeting encounters can have lasting impacts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RRpSB7tOBI

Brett and I are both instructors for RHO Aviation's, a company that teaches aircrew and passengers how to escape from an aircraft that may have ditched at sea. We met while flying the ambulance helicopter in Adelaide.Years before he was the Flight Air-crewman aboard a naval Wessex 31B Helicopter when it encountered an engine failure and had to execute a controlled ditching off the coast of Malaysia.

Laureen Lawlor-Smith has been a doctor since 1982. She has owned and managed her own General Practices in Adelaide’s southern suburbs for much of her career. She is passionate about helping people change their lives and improve their health through lifestyle medicine. Laureen has been using a low carbohydrate/ketogenic approach for years and has experienced both personally and professionally the dramatic health transformation this dietary change can produce. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzdJnjN06Ro https://baszuckigroup.com/ https://www.chrispalmermd.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDq3HHExpnY

Fiona Marlow is an Occupational Therapist with a Master's degree in Nursing and Postgraduate studies in Midwifery. Her career spans various healthcare sectors, where she has passionately served families, particularly in midwifery. Fiona's commitment to normalising pregnancy and birth as natural processes led her to establish a Birth Hub, focusing on educating and supporting birthing women. https://lighthousedeclaration.org/lighthouse-keeper/fiona-marlow/

Do you find yourself drowning in the constant stream of social media updates? Have you considered what life might look like without the constant digital noise? Maybe you are ready for a technology cleanse.Adam Yardley has chosen to navigate life without any social media presence, embracing what he calls a 'technology cleanse.'

I used to watch my daughter Catherine teach an imaginary class in our backyard when she was 5 years old. Back then I knew she could be a great teacher.Fast forward 20 odd years and Catherine finds herself standing at the front of a classroom filled with 30 eager faces. But as she navigated the ins and outs of the education system, she couldn't help but feel a sense of disillusionment. It led her to question the very core of our educational institutions.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PsLRgEYf9E

My eldest daughter Olivia uncovers a love story like a true detective, a story about her Grandmother and the father she never knew.

This story is about a retired man named Gerard Donohue, and his journey involving a concept known as a "writ." A writ is a formal written order or directive issued by a legal authority, such as a court or government agency. In the context of elections and electoral systems, a writ is often used to call for elections, outlining crucial details like the election date, location, and other essential information. Gerard's life story takes a unique turn with his passionate advocacy for electoral reform in Australia. Born and raised in Country Victoria, Gerard's retirement didn't mean he was done with making a difference. Inspired by the imprimatur given to him by his wife and driven by his love for his ten children and grandchildren, Gerard is on a mission to address the issues he perceives within the Australian electoral system.

On September 6th, 2020, Steve Lee, the Australian Olympic downhill skiing champion, experienced a life-changing moment when he woke up on the freezing floor of his bedroom in Falls Creek, paralysed on one side of his body. Now, three years later, Steve and his daughter Layla offer a remarkable update on his journey towards recovery and share their hopes for the future.

Wendy’s flying history is an incredible one – she flew solo across the Pacific in 1986, has instructed at her father, Jim Hazelton’s airfield, flew the world’s first turbo prop airliner in England, and chartered around Australia air safaris. However, her goal of joining the RAAF was hosed down, because at that time, women were not allowed to join. From country girl to horse trainer to international pilot and voluntary supporter of underprivileged Asian communities, Wendy, a mother and grandmother who now runs her own small business, has lived on the Sunshine Coast for the last 22 years.

Professor Ian Brighthope is a retired medical practitioner with over 40 years of experience in natural and integrative medicine.  He graduated in Agricultural Science in 1965 and completed his clinical studies at Monash University in Victoria, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 1974. He founded The Brighthope Clinic and Biocentre in the 1970s. Professor Brighthope is the founding president of Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM) and the official ambassador of ACNEM.23 He pioneered the first post-graduate medical course in nutrition and its related fellowship in Australia. He has acted as an advocate for doctors practicing Integrative Medicine for over 35 years and has extensive experience in crisis management, risk management, public/government relations, and pharmaceutical manufacturing and exporting industry. He is also the Director of the National Institute of Integrative Medicine (NIIM), whose mission is to improve healthcare outcomes for all and empower individuals to take control of their health and create a balanced life. https://wowintl.org/ https://www.reignitedemocracyaustralia.com.au/jprof-brighthope-letter/ https://ianbrighthope.substack.com/p/about-ian-brighthope https://twitter.com/virusfightervi1

Matt Connelly is an entrepreneur involved in several passion projects including Arm Wrestling Promotions, Arm Wrestling Clubs, Podcasts, Content creation and property investments. At the age of 41 Matt has moved into a position of following his interests full time with an obvious infectious enthusiasm. Instagram: mattconnelly13 https://www.youtube.com/@HollywoodMattConnelly/shorts https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=AWE+ARM+WRESTLING Intro soundtrack "play like me" with permission from The Lyrical https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u33wu7zZ3B8