Radical Australia

This week's guest, Clovis Mwamba, was a human rights activist kidnapped and tortured under the dictatorship of Mobutu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after it gained freedom from Belgian colonisation in 1960. Clovis grew up in what he describes as an apartheid system in the mineral-rich, eastern Katanga province in a free-thinking household from where he went on to study psychology and other disciplines to come. In this episode, Clovis paints a picture of what it was like on that day back in 1960 when the people chanted 'Vive le Lumumba' for its indepenence leader, Patrice Lumumba. Clovis came to Australia in 2007 as a political refugee with his wife and seven children. We thank him for being our guest this week and we will have him back in the not-too-distant-future as there is more to know about Clovis' life. Thank-you, Clovis.

On this week's show we were thoroughly entertained by the co-producer of 3CRs slick current affairs program Uprise Radio, Jackson McInerney. Jackson was born in the old Jessie McPherson hospital where the skate park used to be in the city. Then the family moved to Yuendumu before returning to Melbourne. Jackson has been telling porkies from an early age and has loved the arts for about as long. These days he disseminates early-morning poetry to his colleagues in his IT job, is busy raising a two-year-old babe and really misses dinner parties where he can be found engaging in those frank discussions others try to avoid. We like it! Jackson was a very entertaining guest and we thank him for being on the show this week.Check out Uprise Radio, every Wednesday fortnight at 5:30pm - 6pm.3cr.org.au/upriseradio 

On this week's show we revisit a conversation from late in 2019 with legendary Australian filmmaker, David Bradbury. David is a self-taught documentary filmmaker with a swag of films and awards under his belt in a career spanning 40+ years. Check out David's film archive at frontlinefilms.com.au We are certain Radical Australia and 3CR listeners alike will find something they like. On this week's show, David and Joe have a sprightly conversation because they are both old baby boomer hippies and we are treated to a few stories and anecdotes from David's life. Thanks once again, David. frontlinefilms.com.au

On this week's Radical Australia we spoke with Ajan, a 3CR brekkie stalwart, trainer and producer of Diaspora Blues, a 2020 show that focuses on black and CALD people and stories. Ayan understands a thing or two about borders and boundaries and knows what it's like to feel alone, having grown up as an African Muslim in Australia. She speaks eloquently about trying to find her place in the world and what it was like as a child back in her mother's homeland of Somalia when she didn't have to think about her colour. These days Ayan has found her passion at 3CR and does whatever she can to make others feel at home, having runs on the board producing both Tuesday Brekkie and Women on the Line. A definite 3CR keeper. Thank you so much for gracing us with your loveliness this week, Ayan, and congratulations for nursing your new show remotely through the pandemic. A great effort. Diaspora Blues: Mondays, 2:30pm - 3:00pm 

This week's guest is Dr. Greg Poulgrain, a well-known lecturer on Southeast Asian history and friend to the West Papua Office in Docklands, Melbourne. On this show we find Greg in conversation about his new book, 'JFK vs Allen Dulles: Battleground Indonesia'. Thank you for joining us, Greg.

We are delighted to welcome 4ZZZ community radio stalwart Blair Martin onto the show this week. Blair is a Shakespearean thespian from Rockhampton who has loved the theatre since he was a teenager and he has a beautiful voice. Blair wears many hats at 4ZZZ from coordinator of its niche digital program grid to trainer and producer/host of 'Queer Radio', the world's longest running radio program of its kind, right there in Brisbane. Check it out. Thanks for tickling our ears with your rounded vowels, Blair, and for keeping up the faith in Queensland. It was a pleasure having you as our guest this week.4zzz.org.au/program/queer-radio4zzz.org.au/grid/ZDBlair as Hagrid from Harry Potter

Calling in from the dead centre of Melbourne, on this week's show we welcome the intriguing and disarming Barbara Hall. Barb is a member of the West Papuan Rent Collective in Melbourne and grew up roaming the streets and waterways of Williamstown. In this conversation, Barbara muses on her early life with her parents as well as her time as a teacher. She extends a warm welcome to one and all to the West Papua Office Open Day in Docklands, Sunday 19th Septermber 1pm - 4pm, for the launch of Greg Poulgrain's new book 'JFK vs Allen Dulles, Battleground Indonesia'. Be sure not to miss it. Thank-you, Barb, for being our guest this week.dfait.federalrepublicofwestpapua.org

This week we're delighted to welcome Brian Laver onto the show. Brian is a long-standing anti-war activist and anarchist from 1960s UQ. He is the Director of the Institute for Social Ecology and has been a part of the fabric of Brissie's radical community for a very long time. In this conversation we find Brian reflecting on his time in Prague '68 and as an international tennis coach, just down the road from Trumpy's place. What a life. Our words don't do him justice - best let Brian speak for himself. Thanks for coming on the show, Brian, and we look forward to you gracing us again once your autobiography is complete. Cheers, mate!

On this week's show we are delighted to have Sally join us from the bush. Growing up in a politicised family, Sally was an early debater and once stopped Pauline Hanson's election bus at the school gates. That was her first taste of the rush of direct action. Sally is a trained educator and has taught both in Australia and in Europe. She knows the value of care for self and others in the struggles of political activism and her insights have lead her to train as a hypnotherapist. Sally has tapped into her own self-power and healing and currently enjoys paddle boarding on the Murray. We thank Sally for sharing some of her life with us this week and being a gracious guest.

Compulsive artist, musician, storyteller, raconteur, poet: welcome to this week's episode of Radical Australia featuring second-time guest, Mr. Tony Millman. A honey-voiced wordsmith, on this week's show you'll find Tony and Joe engaged in a free-wheeling conversation about everything from art, modern society to living free. Tony also brought in his guitar and treated us to two live numbers: an original inspired by last week's NAIDOC guest, Jack Charles, and the other a rendition of Bonnie Parker's 'Billy the Kid'. Be sure to have a listen. Tony is a prolific musician and will premiere a folk-opera based on Bonnie & Clyde at the end of this month in Richmond. Check out all the links for further details. Thanks for entertaining us today, Tony. It was a treat. tonymillman.com

What can we say about this week's guest, Eirene Tsolidis Noyce? A force to be reckoned with, that's for sure. Eirene is the inaugural secretaty of the Renters and Housing Union (RAHU), Melbourne's new union born in the fire of the 2020 Rent Strike at the beginning of COVID-19. Hailing originally from Moonee Ponds, Eirene played piano from a young age and eventually discovered blues, playing in a range of groups before moving to New York and learning first hand what it's like to live in a country without a safety net. Eirene has given her time to and supported different actions over the last 10 years, from Occupy Melbourne to the Djap Wurrung Embassy and is a super smart, articulate and thoughtful person now raising hell for slumlords across the city! It was great having Eirene on the show and we hope you enjoy her story. Thanks, Eirene!

A lifelong 'fish out of water'. That's how this week's guest, Chris Lynch, desribes himself and when you hear him talk about his journey on planet Earth thus far it's not hard to understand why. Chris spent his formative years growing up in Papua New Guinea and had, by all accounts, an idyllic childhood, engrossing himself in the world of books and faraway places. He has travelled a bit, once walking the entirety of Japan, from south to north, growing a beard. Fast forward to the present day and Chris now finds himself based in Melbourne, teaching English as a second language, writing and volunteering his time to the West Papuan liberation movement. Chris was a lovely guest and it was great to have him on the show this week.Thank-you, Chris!chrislynch.com.au dfait.federalrepublocofwestpapua.org/document'Land of the Morning Star' film screening, Sunday 27th June, 2pm, 838 Collins St, Docklands

This week's guest is Dean Lim, 3CR broadcaster on 'Behind Closed Doors', a peer sex worker show kicking goals since its inception just 2 years ago. Dean has many years experience as a male-to-male sex worker and is a sex positive individual who has lived a thoughtful life learning about himself and others. A great peer educator and broadcaster, no doubt! Dean currently supports other male-to-male sex workers through volunteer outreach and loves getting into a good bit of reading. He also saw Princess Diana once in London. She drove past in a car and had beautiful blue eyes. Dean was a lovely guest with a great laugh and we learnt a lot. We thank Dean for being our guest this week.Behind Closed Doors / Thursdays 6:00pm - 6:30pm @BCD3CR (FB)@BCD3cr (Twitter)@bcd3cr (Instagram) 

This week's guest, Matt Costigan, is a firebrand. He stands up to those who would try to exploit and those who try to lord it over. A golf enthusiast since childhood, Matt has had some success as a competition golfer in Victoria and knows the difference between private and public golf clubs! A self-educated person who has been inspired by the works of Chomsky and Pilger, Matt has striven to be free and true to himself for the last 15 years under an involuntary community treatment order. Matt's advice for others is to also stay true to themselves and 'stay interested'. We like it. Thanks, Matt, for being our lovely guest this week. 'Situation Room' by Something for Kate has a special meaning for Matt. You can watch the video here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t2pM2z3tY0  

This week's conversation with Charandev SIngh was raw, beautiful and powerful. It had a profound effect on us. We were deeply honoured to hear Charandev share some stories about his life, from Malaysia to Melbourne and beyond. A street-trained paralegal, Charandev has used his own difficult experiences as a child to care for others for the last 30 years. As he tells it, he has been 'walking with mob' throughout this time, learning and supporting families victims of state violence.Thank you, Charandev.This episode contains content that some listeners may find upsetting. If you are affected by the show, please reach out to the following support services:Blue Knot Foundation / blueknot.org.au / 1300 657 380 Lifeline / lifeline.org.au / 13 11 14 Here are some links Charandev recommends:dhadjowa.com.au#JusticeforFella (gofundme)flatout.org.auIncarcerated Trans & Gender Diverse Community Fund (gofundme)    

It's always an honour to have an elder on the show and this week is no exception. Max Ogden, born in 1938, was a youngster during WWII and remembers camping and hunting rabbits with his father in Epping. An apprentice fitter and turner in the good old days, Max played for Preston in the VFA and has been a lifelong trade unionist. A long-time member of the Communist Party, these days Max is a short story author who has released a book titled ' A long view from the Left', a memoir of his time in Australia's trade union movement and the colourful characters he knew. It's always a treat to hear stories about the Australia of yore and we thank Max very much for being our guest this week. 

On this week's show we welcome the thorougly nice and thoughtful person, along with exciting political artist, Van T Rudd. Hailing originally from Nambour, Queensland, Van grew up doodling in his school books, surfing and playing 'the world game'. Moving on to study humanities and partying at university, Van had quite a long sting playing in bands in both Queensland and Melbourne. These days, Van enjoys much admiration for his wicked public installations which get right to the heart of the absurdities, corruption and lies inherent within both the political system and capitalism. If you're not familiar with Van's work you must check it out! We thank Van for being our guest this week and sharing some of his formative years with us. It was a real pleasure. Keep being radical, Van!Here are some links Van recommends and to his own sites:van-t-rudd.net / facebook.com/van.t.rudd / @van.nishingSocialist Alternative: sa.org.auVictorian Socialists: victoriansocialists.org.auWorkers Art Collective: @worke

This week we invite you to be our guest on the show by looking back through the Radical Australia archives and talking about just what the show is all about. We look forward to you joining us.