Coal Face

S2 E3: Radical Valley? Power struggles, unions, the SEC and economic geography

Radical Valley? Power struggles, unions, the SEC & economic geography.
Hear from our guests Naomi Farmer, Luke Van Der Mullen & Sally Weller as we learn about economic geography discuss the SEC in its heyday, the radical history of the Latrobe Valley, power struggles. And how union actions in the Valley influenced the broader workers rights movement across Australia.  
Season two has been made possible by the support of Federation University, and the Victorian State Government (along with our blood, sweat & research tears and you, our wonderful coal face listening crew).

S2 E2: The Golden Age of Coal? Modernist Dreams, Company Towns and Monuments

For episode 2 we pick up the story in the 20th century, when Gippsland’s brown coal fields were transformed into power stations, company towns and modernist dreams. From Purvis Plaza to Hazelwood’s hot-water pondage, the Valley was sold a “golden age”... but golden for whom?
Along the way, we speak with historian Erik Eklund about Gippsland’s twin booms, company towns like Churchill and the overlooked roots of environmental activism, and with industry veteran Rob Mizzi about the hidden supply chains that kept Victoria’s lights on.
It’s a journey through booming populations, brick houses, migrant workers and monumental cigars that asks what the golden age of coal really meant and what impact it had on our people and places. Season two of this podcast series has been made possible with the support of Federation University Australia and the Victorian Government. Show notes: Coal Face - S2E2 - Show Notes  

S2 Ep1 4.5 Billion Years: Gippsland's Ecology & Our Energy Destiny (& Worms)

We kick off Season 2 by going back, WAY back. From prehistoric swamps that became Gippsland’s coal seams, to Cloggs Cave and its 12,000-year-old stories, to the giant earthworms squelching under our feet, this episode digs into the ancient ground that shaped the Latrobe Valley. Along the way, we talk with botanist Ian Sluiter about coal’s ecological origins. Poet, environmental advocate and educator Electra Green about bugs, caring for the environment growing up in the bush, and invertebrate ecologist Dr. Beverley Van Praag about the secret lives of Gippsland’s Giant Earthworm.
It’s a journey through 4.5 billion years that sets the stage for coal’s 'golden age' and the transition still unfolding today.
Season two has been made possible by the support of Federation University, the Morwell Innovation Centre, the Victorian Goverment, our blood, sweat & tears and you our esteemed listeners.Show notes and sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1plBA5F7e07VVPzKkmAcSHE8uvc7OWolRrCe_9724ZoQ/edit?usp=sharing 

Coal Face S2 - Teaser

We are back (well almost) find out what is in store for season 2 of Coal Face in this special announcement teaser. Episode 1, will be released later this week. Keep your podcast feeds subscribed to COAL FACE. Follow us at https://www.instagram.com/coalfacepod/ 

Gippsland New Energy Conference 2023 - Youth & Future Special

Coal Face covers the 2023 Gippsland New Energy Conference. Get all the juicy details about how the billions of dollars of new energy are going to impact the next generation of workers in Gippsland. We spoke to the Chair of the Australian Renewables Academy, Bernadette O'Connor, the Director of Emerging Industries at the Latrobe Valley Authority, Bodye Darvil, the founder and CEO of Green Lab Futures, Scott Douglas, the Regional Stakeholder Manager of Corio Generation, Kate Foster, Year 12 school captain and future engineer, Ellie MacGregor, one of the GNEC event organising team and Senior Advisor in New Energy Development at the Gippsland Climate Change Network, Michelle Isles. PLUS all our own hot takes!
Show notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1INCuMtQcWJZwtkgFAb2e7UGzd1-bn_95VRazFhpT7B4/edit?usp=sharing 

Coming out 2: Art & Intersectionality in The Valley with Ronald Edwards Peppers

Josie and Steph speak with local Gunaikurnai artist Ronald Edwards Pepper about everything from creativity to cul-de-sacs. We learn about the power art has to change spaces, and how Ronald's sexuality and connection with the land intersect with his work.  Find Ronald here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1590978367Show notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aN6mIyvXmcYb0UBu5Uad80C2S_P99D-5SA0_J9_agl0/edit?usp=sharing 

”No one is going to swim in that” EES Spectacular with Bronya Lipski from Environment Victoria and Chloe Babcock from Environmental Justice Australia

Josie and Steph speak with Environment Victoria's Bronya Lipski and Environmental Justice Australia's Chloe Babcock on the newly released draft of the Environmental Effects Statement scope for the Hazelwood Mine Rehabilitation project. We learn what an EES is, what this one gets right, and wrong, and why it's important for people to have their say during the submission window. (or you know, we might end up living next to an acidic lake)  Show notes + how to submit:  
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ykk8Wjw-ewsWhNDU3J0pazy-6kHWqChkuNcZi3x0-e0/edit?usp=sharing 

Renewable Energy Revolution: Coal Face goes to the Gippsland New Energy Conference.

Join Josie & Steph as they speak with special guests Darren McCubbin, Ashley Hall, Edwina Vega, Dr Jarra Hicks, Mayor Kellie O'Callaghan & Marianne Robbinson as they discuss the Gippsland New Energy Conference, what community-owned renewable energy projects could look like and what a 40 billion dollar renewable energy sector could mean for Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley.
 
This episode was sponsored by The GNEC | we have retained full editorial control Show notes:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17wZDWit-1dT0rvbBdLls8bCQsvc3oDgHUJwqlEMCkr8/edit?usp=sharing
 

Smoke Stacks & Explosions - Art, Identity & The Environment at The Latrobe Regional Gallery

Josie and Steph take you on a whirlwind recap of the Hazelwood Exhibit that was on display at The Latrobe Regional Gallery. The Coal Face team discuss the role of art in shaping collective identities, how space can facilitate conversations around trauma and a Morwellian myth about the Hazelwood landowner who would drive his Rolls Royce around the paddocks of the power station.  Show notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PF0NyZgbU-NZXgsFx2DlR_tHFCtCCHVqL7XYcA5902g/edit?usp=sharing 

The True Cost of Water — With Hayley Sestokas from Friends of Latrobe Water & Environment Victoria

Water feeds the arteries of all life on earth, what is that truly worth? Josie & Steph chat with activist, chef and mushroom farmer Hayley Sestokas about growing up in the Latrobe Valley, coal ash dams, mine rehabilitation, and the important advocacy work of Friends of Latrobe Water & Environment Victoria.    
Show Notes:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VC4K2o1lksVa4F-2eQybOGFzI9_OC0jmf34dNX_S3fE/edit?usp=sharing