Kiama Community Radio's Podcast

This week Neil interviews UK author Christian Meddleton about his upcoming debut novel 'Dreamwalkers'.

Campbell and Neil discuss the latest instalment of 'Neil’s Magnificently Unnecessary Reference Books', and other things! 

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Jason Beasley Hahn talks to Christina and Paul from Little Betty's, Wine and Cocktail Bar in Collins St Kiama. 

This interview is part of Jason's fortnightly program Around a Table, Tuesday Mornings at 9am. 

Recorded 13th October 2026

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Hosts Campbell McConachie and Karen Lateo plunder their bookshelves for must-read Modernist titles: thought-provokers like Metamorphosis, Mrs Dalloway, In Search of Lost Time, and Ulysses. What distinguishes Modernist works from those of earlier periods? What did Virginia Woolf have to say about it? (hint: a lot!)

Karen's latest pop-culture research throws up the question: what does it mean to be “well read” - and does it matter?

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Bernie Hems talks to newly elected Deputy Mayor Stuart Larkins about the issues occupying  Kiama Municipal Council at the moment. 

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Bernie Hems talks to recently re-elected Mayor Cameron McDonald about the issues that are dominating the Kiama Municipal Council at the moment. 

Part 1 of 2

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Bernie Hems talks to recently re-elected Mayor Cameron McDonald about the issues occupying Kiama Municipal Council at the moment. 

Part 2 of 2. 

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Karen and Neil discuss recent books by Keith Richards, and Clive Cussler's ghost, then unpack the fuss over the addition of Jane Ayre to the mandatory reading list for high school students in China.

And with Banned Book Week about to kick off in the US, our presenters explain why banned books are back in the news.

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

(full episode)

Bradley Dryburgh, who titled his memoir 'I Wrote My Own Eulogy', is a special in-studio guest on this week’s KCR Book Space. He chats with hosts Diane Ellison and Neil Reilly about living with cystic fibrosis, and his life as an author, podcast host and inspirational speaker.

Di and Neil share their recent readings, covering topics ranging from Borneo to Keith Richards.

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]...

Bradley Dryburgh has spent his life overcoming the challenges of living with cystic fibrosis. Through his bestselling book, I Wrote My Own Eulogy, and his podcast A Lot To Talk About, he encourages people to live with gratitude, purpose and authenticity.

Bradley is a special in-studio guest on this week’s KCR Book Space, chatting with hosts Diane Ellison and Neil Reilly about his life as an author, podcast host and inspirational speaker.

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]...

Bernie Hems talks to Jason Dunn from Bendigo Bank, new sponsor of KCR. 

This is part of KCR's weekly program Living Local, 9am Wednesdays, hosted by Gabriela Cabral. 

Recorded 26.9.26

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Bernie Hems talks to Neil McCann, member of well established local band The Water Runners, but also presenter of Grass Roots Folk on KCR at 6pm on Wednesdays, repeated 10am on Sundays. 

This interview is part of KCR's regular program Living Local , 9am Wednesday mornings with regular presenter Gabriela Cabral. 

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Felicity Leitch talks to Ian Harvey George, co-founder with his wife Jane of Kiama Unplugged; a series of events designed to encourage us all to put our smart phones aside and get back to the other 'analogue' things we used to do like playing board games and going for walks. 

The latest Kiama Unplugged event is a public piano at Burnetts in Kiama. 

This interview was recorded as part of Living Local every Wednesday morning at 9am on KCR, hosted by Gabriela Cabral. 

Recorded 26.9.26. 

KCR: live streaming at kcr...

Felicity Leitch chats with local photographer Kylie Ruszcynski, who still works with film and black and white images, recently on display  in her recent  exhibition “The Crevice”  at the Gerringong Library . 

Living Local streams live on KCR every Wednesday morning at 9am with  regular host Gabriela Cabral. 

Recorded 16.9.26

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

This week Book Space interviews a local writer at the start of his writing life: nightmare surrealist, Will Clarke. Find out what led Will down such a niche path, and learn how he found an outlet for his work on the global social storytelling platform, Wattpad. 

Karen and Campbell talk about what they've been reading (Anne Tyler and Nancy Cato), and Karen reviews the Amplify Bookstore - a bookshop specialising in, and celebrating, diverse voices.

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. C...

Bernie Hems talks to recently elected Kiama Councillor Stan Jarrett about his life, his family, his taste in music and the experience he brings to his new role as a decision maker for the Kiama LGA. 

Bernie is filling in for Living Local regular presenter Gabriela Gabral.  Living Local airs every Wednesday morning at 9am on KCR. 

Recorded 9.9.26. 

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Gabi Cabral talks to NSW Carer Recruitment and Development Manager Patricia Maher from McKillop Family Services about Foster Carers' Week (30th August - 5th September) , the growing need for foster carers  and what it means to be a foster carer in the Wollongong area. 

This is part of Gabi's weekly program Living Local at 9am on Wednesdays on KCR. 

Recorded 26.8.26

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Gabi Cabral talks to Rebecca (Bec) McAlister about her business Luckies Knickers  which sells specially designed undies with a practical function as well as looking fabulous, with matching tops. 

This is part of Gabi's regular segment The Shop Around the Corner supporting local businesses as part of her weekly program Living Local Wednesday mornings at 9am on KCR. 

Recorded 26.8.26

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Sofia Montrone is a New York writer whose first book, Nymph, is a coming-of-age novel set in Italy. Neil chats to Sofia about the course of her career, the inspiration for Nymph, and the crafting of her rich, lush prose.

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

(full episode)

Sofia Montrone is a New York writer whose first book, Nymph, is a coming-of-age novel set in Italy. Neil chats to Sofia about the course of her career, the inspiration for Nymph, and the crafting of her rich, lush prose.

Neil and Campbell talk about their recent reads, and Neil shares the latest find from his Shelf of Magnificently Unnecessary Reference Books. 

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

At the August meeting of the Kiama Historical Society Peter Lacey from the South Coast History Society gave a talk about shipwrecks on the south coast. 

Before the event, Peter spoke to Boris Gazebarach on KCR Breakfast, Monday to Friday 7-9am on KCR. 

Peter's talk was introduced by Sue Eggins, president of the Kiama Historical Society and during question time Ian Backhouse from the Kiama Sea Shanty Club performed his sea-shanty-in-the-making about the wreck of the Rangoon, off the mouth of the Minnamurra River. 

For more information visit southcoasthistory.org.au

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Dame Annette King is a former New Zealand Cabinet Minister and NZ High Commissioner to Australia.  As a long serving MP, diplomat and reformer her public service has helped shape New Zealand as it is today. 

This is the first in a special KCR series Close Up which focuses on women change makers who live right here in the Kiama LGA. 

Recorded August 2026. 

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Dame Annette King is a former New Zealand Cabinet Minister and NZ High Commissioner to Australia.  As a long serving MP, diplomat and reformer her public service has helped shape New Zealand as it is today. 

This is the first in a special KCR series Close Up which focuses on women change makers who live right here in the Kiama LGA. 

Recorded August 2026. 

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Shane Flew and Matt Ross are going to join us at Blues in the Night, KCR’s Blues fundraiser at Kiama Leagues Club on November 9th.  

Peter Sullivan spoke to Shane Flew about their new album Once Upon a Long Time Ago during KCR Breakfast, 7-9am Mon- Fri, Thursdays with Peter Sullivan. 

Recorded 28.8.26

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

In 2005 Business journalist Adam Courtney wrote his first book,  a memoir about his father Bryce Courtney entitled My Father Bryce.

Bryce Courtenay was one of Australia's most beloved authors and stayed at the top of International Bestseller Lists for 20 years. To his son, Adam, he was larger than life, mercurial, and impossible to know completely. Adam Courtney spoke to the Friends of Kiama Library about his memoir, and he was introduced by President of the Friends of Kiama Library, Perrie Croshaw. 

Thankyou to Candy Andersen for recording this presentation. 

Recorded 8.8.26

KCR: liv...

Karen and Neil chat about Anthony Bourdain, American celebrity chef, author, and travel documentarian, after the recent release of a new biopic about his life: Tony.

Along the way, Karen pays tribute to Dolly Parton, and her contribution to global literacy, and Neil delivers the latest instalment of Neil Reilly's Shelf of Magnificently Unnecessary Reference Books. 

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

"Past tense". 

This week Karen and Campbell spend an hour with Illawarra writer Gwen Wilson who has turned her hand to both memoir (I Belong to No One), and to a historical novel with a personal connection (Louisa).

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Gabriela Cabral talks to Rosemary Kitchin & Carolyn Vaughan about Death Café, an international movement providing a safe and open space where adults can talk honestly about death and dying, end‑of‑life experiences, fears and practicalities, what's available and what's desirable. 

The next Death Cafe is Thur 27 Aug, 2:30 PM -  at Kiama Library. Organized by the Illawarra-Shoalhaven Compassionate Community, it’s a free afternoon tea event and a welcoming space where you can enjoy open, light and relaxed conversation on death, dying and the end of life. The session requires advance bookings and is design...

Gabriela Cabral talks to Dr Hiral Seth from Seth Dental about the ways in which digital dentistry is transforming the way we care for our teeth, what modern clinics can now do, and why so many of us still fear the dentist. 

Recorded 19.8.26

This program is part of the regular segment The Shop Around the Corner supporting local businesses, part of Gabi's regular weekly show Living Local at 9am on Wednesdays. 

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]...

Mark Fennell is our special guest, talking to Neil Reilly about Stuff the British Stole - The Book!

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

(Full episode)

Mark Fennell is our special guest, talking to Neil Reilly about Stuff the British Stole - The Book!

After the break, Di and Neil talk about books they've been reading, and literary what's-on from the local area. 

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

(Full episode)

Presenters Campbell McConachie and Diane Ellison confront a shameful episode of Australian history: our forgotten slave trade, as revealed by local author Ryan Butta. 

In an extensive interview, the acclaimed non-fiction writer discusses his latest work, Blackbirding. Ryan examines the deliberate “engineered forgetting” that has wiped decades of exploitation of Pacific Island people from the national memory. 

Di and Campbell talk about what they have been reading, and some upcoming events.

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Thinking about retirement living — or helping a parent, relative or friend explore their options?

Gabriela Cabral chats with Laura Hooper, the Community Manager at Cedar on Collins; a valued sponsor of KCR.  Cedar on Collins has an information session coming up in September, with useful information for anyone considering retirement living and planning for the next chapter.

This is part of Gabi's regular weekly program Living Local, Wednesday mornings at 9am on KCR. 

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Presenters Karen and Neil discuss The Life of Pi, Moby Dick and other nautical themed novels, as well as riding the zeitgeist as they trawl through some of the recent happenings in the world of books.

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Kiama LGA goes to the polls again next weekend to fill the recently vacated 9th place on the Kiama Municipal Council, following the departure of Mike Cains. 

There are 2 candidates, Stan Jarrett and Michael Bowden. 

In this interview  Bernie Hems asks candidate Michael Bowden a series of questions posed by locals on the streets of Kiama. 

Recorded 14.8.26

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Kiama LGA goes to the polls again next weekend to fill the recently vacated 9th place on the Kiama Municipal Council, following the departure of Mike Cains. 

There are 2 candidates, Stan Jarrett and Michael Bowden. 

In this interview  Bernie Hems asks candidate Stan Jarrett a series of questions posed by locals on the streets of Kiama. 

Recorded 14.8.26

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Embark on an odyssey, as hosts Dean Koorey and Neil Reilly journey through their favourite book-to-screen adaptations.

As our resident flash fiction writers/competitors, Dean and Neil also share the latest in this exciting micro genre.

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

This week's guest, Illawarra writer Kathleen Bleakley, recently released her seventh publication, Toupie, a compilation of selected poetry and prose.

Find out more when Diane Ellison and Karen Lateo quiz this prolific South Coast Writers Centre member. 

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Presenters Campbell McConachie and Diane Ellison confront a shameful episode of Australian history: our forgotten slave trade, as revealed by local author Ryan Butta. 

In an extensive interview, the acclaimed non-fiction writer discusses his latest work, Blackbirding. Ryan examines the deliberate “engineered forgetting” that has wiped decades of exploitation of Pacific Island people from the national memory. 

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Gabi talks to Alice Peel from Grow Your Mind, an online social and emotional wellbeing program for primary schools run by experienced educators. 

This is part of Gabriela Cabral's weekly program Living Local 9am Wednesdays on KCR. 

Recorded 5.8.26

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]

Gabi talks to Tim Donlea from Artemas Aged Care Services. 

Artemas is not an Aged Care provider but specialises in guiding seniors and their families through the complexities of the Aged Care system, from home care to government assistance, Centrelink assessments and residential options. 

Recorded 5.8.26

The Shop Around the Corner is a regular segment supporting local businesses and is part of  Gabriela Cabral's weekly program Living Local at 9 Wednesdays on KCR. 

KCR: live streaming at kcr.org.au or via the Kiama Community Radio App. Contact us: [email protected]