Remarkable Tales

Ever wondered what makes some songwriting collaborations work and others flounder? So has Ant Aggs. The Queensland Conservatorium graduate has travelled the world performing, recording and writing with artists such as Xavier Rudd, Toni Childs and Sahara Beck. He has channelled his frustration from the cancellation of many of his gigs during this Covid year, into his research, and creating two new albums. In this episode of Remarkable Tales, captured in Ant’s home studio, he gives us some insights into the mysterious creative process of songwriting, and how his master classes and research are trying to capture the special magic of what secret ingredients make incredible songs.

From growing up in the tiny town of Mundubbera in western Queensland to becoming the Asia Pacific vice-president of communications for global entertainment giant Netflix, Amy Kunrojpanya has never let a challenge get in the way of success. As she tells us on this episode of Remarkable Tales podcast, when Amy first completed her Bachelor of Asian and International studies at Griffith University, she hoped she was destined for a career in the diplomatic service. But little did she know that her path would lead her to managing complex public affairs and communications for some of the world's biggest brands ranging from global agriculture company, Syngenta, to Coca-Cola, Google, Uber and now Netflix. And all while contributing her growing global expertise in voluntary roles with a range of humanitarian organisations focused on anti-human trafficking and womens rights. She’s continued her studies at Boston College and Harvard Business School, and speaks eight languages. Amy spoke to us from her Netflix base and now home, in Singapore.

Nestled next to Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus, in the heart of the hub that once housed the Commonwealth Games, is what has now become the Cohort Innovation Space. Griffith Pr and Journalism graduate Ariana Margetts is at the helm as the general manager of Cospaces. She works closely with the state government and the Southport Chamber of Commerce to attract big clients to the precinct, and also liaise with smaller entrepreneurs who need shared spaces to make their ideas become reality. In this episode of Remarkable Tales, Ariana takes us on a tour of Cohort.

Griffith University Journalism graduate Taylah Fellows is defying the trend of cutbacks to regional reporting, by snaring an increasingly rare cadetship at new publication scone.com.au. Taylah is working full-time on local news and making sure the local community knows about everything from the great-grandmother turning 100, to what happened in court, and concerns about how urgently needed road repairs will be funded. She tells us on this episode of Remarkable Tales, how a Griffith University overseas exchange program gave her the confidence to move to the Horse Capital of Australia from the Gold Coast, and how she could not have found a better start for journalism career.

Born in Toronto, raised in Australia and living in Lebanon for nearly two decades, Elizabeth Kassab Sfeir is defiantly making her way on the road less travelled. As the self proclaimed "proud Griffith alumni" tells on this episode of Remarkable Tales, her leadership experience as President and Vice-President of Student Guild on the Gold Coast combined with her Griffith University business degree opened up her eyes to social justice issues. She has defied gender conventions in the patriarchal society of Lebanon by rising to leadership positions in tertiary education, and striving to improve opportunities for those she teaches. As well as taking on the role of Assistant Dean of the Business faculty at Antonine University in Beirut, Elizabeth is also expanding community initiatives to combat domestic violence and help support people with disabilities. She says her ongoing connection to Griffith University has been crucial in helping her break through institutional and societal barriers.

Only a few years after graduating from her Griffith business degree, Elise Giles is now one of the leading young minds encouraging us to look to Asia for our future. Last year she was recognised as an ASEAN Australia young leader, having worked and studied across Asia, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea. She grew up in outback Queensland with little interest in the region, but credits opportunities provided by the Griffith Honours College including a pivotal study trip to South Korea, combined with an Asian studies course, for ’catapulting’ her deep interest and love for Asia. As Elise tells us on this episode of Remarkable Tales, she returned from Vietnam to Australia just as COVID-19 hit, and Australia has much to learn from emerging economies such as Vietnam, for the incredible success they had combatting the pandemic crisis.

For Griffith University aviation graduate, QANTASLink pilot and First Officer Cameron Stuart, the freedom and logistics of flying are his constant companion and passion. On this episode of Remarkable Tales podcast, he tells how he has found his skills are still in demand despite the fallout from Coronavirus, and he is optimistic the aviation industry will emerge from this crisis stronger than it was before. Cameron graduated in the top five per cent of Griffith University students, receiving an academic excellence award. He was innovative in his quest to become a QANTASLink pilot, becoming a qualified flight instructor to fulfil his dream of flying whilst also satisfying his passion for teaching and learning.

On this episode of Griffith University's Remarkable Tales podcast, Jan Becker tells her story of how she has combined being a midwife, and a helicopter pilot. She now runs the largest helicopter pilot training academy in the southern hemisphere. Along with her team at Becker Helicopters, Jan coordinates emergency responses in floods, bushfires and other emergencies. And that’s alongside the joy of helping to bring a new life into the world. Jan co-founded a Midwifery Training Clinic in Tanzania and tells how she's changing the lives of mamas and babies one breath at a time.

For television media personality and podcaster Scott Bidmead, completing his journalism degree at Griffith University was just the beginning of a wild love affair with reporting, that has taken him all around the world. At the same time he has honed his entrepreneurial skills by starting his own media company - Mead Media. The former Chairman of Headspace in South Australia left his dream job in LA at the end of last year to pull together his dream, the corporate wellbeing startup, EUDA. And like much of his career before then, Scott has made the most of fortuitous timing, turning the Coronavirus pandemic into an opportunity to provide much needed mental health support to those who need it.

The creativity of Adrian Letilovic knows no bounds, so much so that he is now working in a job he could never have foreseen when he completed his Bachelor of Communication at Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus 15 years ago. His theatrical flair combined with his passion for diversity and inclusion have found their perfect match at one of the Big 4 accountancy firms, Deloitte. As Adrian tells us on this episode of Remarkable Tales, sometimes the best careers evolve from what seem to be the most unlikely partnerships.

A Griffith University program is empowering women over 50 to have the confidence to start their own business, in the face of sometimes extraordinary challenges. The Sisters Support Business Together program created and led by Dr Dhara Shah, has had great success in helping women realise their business dream, as well as prevent homelessness and social isolation. The participants meet mentors who guide them through their concept, and encourage them to achieve independence.

Comedy is perhaps not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of potential treatment for mental illness. But comedian Mark McConville is hoping to change that. In this episode of Remarkable Tales, the renowned comedian with more than two decades of experience on the professional speaking circuit tells how a chance meeting on a cruise ship led to a dramatic career change of direction, into research for Griffith University’s Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention. Mark is now also a recent Masters graduate of Griffith University, and adjunct lecturer, specialising in suicideology. He has taken his Laughter Clinic to organisations around Australia, exploring the power of laughter to soothe the troubled soul, and lessen people’s stress and depression.

From butcher's apprentice to barrister, Joshua Creamer shows that determination and resolve to fight oppression can get you anywhere in life. This self-proclaimed boy from the bush who grew up in Mount Isa in outback Queensland, says his time at Griffith University Law School was crucial in his path to becoming a barrister, and the school's focus on social justice still informs his work. Against all the odds, Joshua has taken on and won significant cases, including the Palm Island class action lawsuit and Stolen Wages. In this episode of Remarkable Tales, Joshua calls for more to be done to encourage more Aboriginal people to the Bar, to ensure a more just law system for all.

The struggle facing early career researchers looking for a clear career path and recognition after completing their PhD, is a common dilemma. Neuroscientist and recent Phd graduate Dr Alison Wright is a trailblazer, showing how embracing social media can lead to career opportunities that many thought were out of reach. That combined with her groundbreaking research in Griffith University’s Spinal Injury Project is now taking her overseas, to a position with a renowned research centre for environmental health in Germany. But the path was not an easy one, and in this edition of Remarkable Tales, Alison shares her story of transitioning to her true identity as a transgender woman, to encourage others that overcoming personal issues on the way, is all part of the journey to becoming a successful scientist.

Many people work towards their dream of creating and steering their own company. But not many achieve that only a few short years after graduating. Griffith University Masters of International Business graduate Jacob Hansen Karaduman hopes to help change that, and inspire others to follow his entrepreneurial footsteps. He has shaken up the Scandinavian loan industry as co-founder and director of fin-tech company Enklare, which now employs around 150 people. On this episode of Remarkable Tales podcast, he tells how it all started from his belief in making the loan application process fairer and more accessible to all, particularly young people. Jacob’s entrepreneurial skills were recently recognised with Griffith Business School’s Outstanding International Alumnus Award, and he now travels the world mentoring other young startups and entrepreneurs.

The sounds of the world around us are familiar and extensively recorded. But what about the noises of rivers, below the water’s surface? What does it sound like in the watery depths, and how does that sound tell what is happening in that environment? Simon Linke is a senior lecturer in the Griffith University Environment School, and a research fellow at the Australian Rivers Institute. In this episode of Remarkable Tales recorded at the Woodford Folk Festival, Simon tells us how his team’s recordings are opening a window to a world that has previously been little understood.

For Indigenous artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, it is never too late to fulfil your dreams. The respected artist has built an impressive body of work, with many coming to know her talent during the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, where her designs of the rare white whale Migaloo were featured on the commemorative medals, and in the opening ceremony. She has just opened a new gallery and studio space at Minjerribah, also known as Stradbroke Island, where her arts practice is inspired from. On this episode of Remarkable Tales, the winner of the 2018 Griffith Business School Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus Award tells us how important her family and Quandamooka ties are to her continuing development as an artist, as well as also preserving and telling the story of her culture and country.

As Australia recovers from natural disasters, with drought and bushfires destroying swathes of land across the country, many people are wondering how they can help native animals caught up in the aftermath. But the question of whether it is ever ok to feed native animals, is a controversial topic that is highly divisive among conservationists. To help people through this dilemma, Griffith University Environmental Science Professor Darryl Jones has written a new book, Feeding the Birds at Your Table, as a guide to what is nutritionally appropriate for native animals, and what foods to avoid. And as he explains on this episode of Remarkable Tales, speaking to me at the Woodford Folk Festival, one of the most common foods given to native birds, is particularly harmful for their health.

For Luke Yokota, one of the most challenging aspects of being a male nurse, is not the work, but people’s attitudes towards his choice of profession. His determination to challenge gender stereotypes and show that it’s ok for men to care, saw him nominated as 2020 Qld Young Australian of the Year, and also appointed as chair of the national Men in Nursing Working Party. On this episode of Remarkable Tales, Luke Yokota tells us how he’s found his voice to encourage more men into the profession. Read the podcast transcript at: https://www.griffith.edu.au/podcasts/remarkable-tales/luke-yokota-podcast-transcript/

The start of the new decade is also the start of a new era for human rights in Queensland, with the Human Rights Act taking effect from January first 2020. Human Rights lawyer, president of the LGBTI legal service and Griffith University graduate and lecturer Matilda Alexander brought in the new decade by speaking on a panel at the Woodford Folk Festival, about the significance of this legislative change. She says it’s the culmination of a huge grass roots campaign, to ensure the right of all citizens are respected and protected. On this episode of Griffith University's Remarkable Tales podcast, Matilda tells about the impact of this new legislation, urging each of us to find out how the Human Rights Act will affect us individually, and as a community.

In this episode of Griffith University's Remarkable Tales, we hear about the truly exceptional Beny Bol, who has journeyed from South Sudan to leading the 60,000-strong Queensland African Communities’ Council. In his remote South Sudanese community, he didn’t expect to go to high school, and when he first come to Australia, he worked in an abattoir to support his family. Now, the former refugee has just completed his second Masters degree at Griffith University to help his work with disenfranchised youth in Logan and Melbourne. His autobiography "The Ambition and Determination of an Orphan", tells his story, and his determination to succeed by helping others along the way.

From studying International Business Relations at Griffith University’s Nathan campus to travelling the world giving financial modelling advice, Danielle Stein Fairhurst has found her business niche. The Principal Consultant at Plum Solutions, has built an international consultancy on her expertise in Excel.  She’s the author of “Financial Modeling in Excel for Dummies“, and “Using Excel for Business Analysis: a Guide to Financial Modelling Fundamentals", and has found demand for her personally designed courses on one of the world’s most popular software programs has taken her to all corners of the globe. Danielle is regularly engaged as a speaker, workshop course facilitator, financial modelling consultant and analyst.

From dropping out of high school and working as a labourer, to now communicating complex scientific concepts through his art and co-directing his own international arts company, Benjamin Werner has found his circuitous path to success. All City Walls and All City Art Services are the two branches of his vision to create contemporary creative murals on a vast scale, and also support the preservation of art that is already in existence. And when he realised that making beautiful artworks was his calling, it was completing a Bachelor of Fine Art with Honours at Griffith University’s Queensland College of Art, that focussed his journey to success. This episode of Remarkable Tales comes from the launch of Benjamin's latest large scale mural at Dutton Park State School, which continues the strong theme through much of his work, synthesising science and art.

On this episode of Remarkable Tales, we speak to Griffith University Business School graduate Rose Grass, who's overcome many obstacles to achieve her dreams. She started working with an aid organisation in Sydney, before heeding the call to Australia’s west, taking up a position as a logistics analyst for the four billion dollar oil and gas giant Woodside Energy. Rose’s particularly pride is in the company’s ethics, which she says were a crucial part of her decision to move so far away from the east coast.

From starting as one of the first players in the groundbreaking initial days of the Australian Football League’s Women’s competition, to now leading the newest club in the AFLW, Fiona McLarty is no stranger to big challenges. In this episode of Remarkable Tales, Fiona tells us about her newly created role as the Gold Coast Suns’ Head of Women’s Football, and is revelling in establishing a culture and work ethic for her 30 recruits, before the start of the AFLW season in January 2020. She is now thrilled with the ongoing commitment from Griffith University to the club, as Research and Education partner of the Gold Coast Suns.

Growing up on the southern end of the Gold Coast, Cameron Bray knew that he loved the water and being near it or in it. But beyond that, he was unsure what the future would bring. After completing his business degree at Griffith University, he followed the well worn path overseas to work as a backpacker in Europe. But it was his decision to try his luck in France working as crew on yachts, that changed the direction of his life. Now the award winning entrepreneur is back at the Gold Coast, building up his charter business to cater for a growing Australian super yacht clientele.

In this special edition of Remarkable Tales, we take you to Integrity 20, featuring some of the most provocative and profound minds in Australia, all gathered at Brisbane’s Conservatorium Theatre at South Bank. The Griffith University student newsroom has brought you interviews with some of the most inspiring speakers, such as human rights champion Navi Pillay, respected journalist Kerry O’Brien, press freedom champion Jodie Ginsberg, and artist Ms Saafa. Their perspectives have come from as far afield as Tehran, China, Saudi Arabia and Indigenous Australia.

in this episode of Remarkable Tales, we speak to award winning Griffith University graduate newsreader Ange Anderson. From a random conversation at a bus stop that sparked a dream to become a radio journalist, to now winning the award for Best News Presenter on Metro FM radio in Australia - Ange has forged a great career reading at newsrooms up and down the east coast of Australia. She’s the newsreader for the Ash, Kip, Luttsy and Susie O’Neill Breakfast Show at Nova 106.9 in Brisbane. And one of her greatest loves, is nurturing new talent, giving back to the university she started with, as a tutor of Digital Audio Media Production at the Gold Coast campus.

In this episode of Remarkable Tales, we speak to Griffith University graduate Alexis Wagner. When Alexis started her Open Universities online degree through Griffith University, she had no idea where those Asian studies would take her. But looking back now years later, her heart is very much still in Shanghai. While Alexis is now living back in Australia, in Adelaide, she is already planning her next trip to China, which she sees as her second home.

Creativity. In this episode of Remarkable Tales, we look at how we harness it in our lives and workplaces, to make us happier and more productive. Dr David Tuffley is Griffith University’s Senior Lecturer in Applied Ethics & CyberSecurity. His research has found that creativity is something we can all apply no matter what our profession, and certainly should not be limited to the arts. Dean of Engagement for the Griffith Business School Professor Anne Tiernan shows how the Policy Innovation Hub has applied creativity to its workspace, and Griffith University Entrepreneur in Residence Cathy Hunt discusses how crucial it is to harness the creativity of the arts to to solve some of society's most difficult problems.

This year’s Women in Technology Awards at Brisbane City Hall attracted a record of more than 150 entries, celebrating the achievements of women working around the country in the STEM industry. Two of the finalists from that stellar lineup, are Griffith University researchers - Professor Vicky Avery and Dr Leigh Potter. They tell Remarkable Tales about the significance of their research, and the joy of being recognised as leaders of their field.

In this episode of Remarkable Tales podcast, we speak to Griffith University Communications graduate and now Communications Manager of Donate Life - Alana Jones. Since graduating from Griffith, Alana has worked her way up through different government jobs to finally secure her dream job as Communications Manager for DonateLife, Victoria. It's her dream job, and a way of trying to ensure that no other family experiences what she did. Her mother died at the age of 41 after waiting seven years for a transplant, when Alana was just a teenager. Alana now hopes her work will increase the number of people who receive a donation and in-turn reduce the number families who lose a loved one whilst they are on the waiting list.

In this episode of Griffith University's Remarkable Tales, we speak to the Project Director of the Reef Islands Initiative for the Great Barrier Reef Foundation - Andrew Simmonds. From wondering where he would go after finishing school, to now leading a program to protect the world heritage listed wonder of the Great Barrier Reef, the Griffith University Environmental Science graduate has forged his own path. He tells how he found his passion, and his career path, taking him on adventures up the east coast of Australia as far as the Torres Strait.

In this episode of Griffith University's Remarkable Tales, join the 37 Griffith University students who were embedded in the university's Commonwealth Games pop-up newsroom for three weeks. They reported alongside working journalists and Editors from Fairfax in a real-life working newsroom environment. You’ll hear of the struggles and the incredible highs they experienced producing eight editions and 20,000 copies of The Village Source – the special Athletes Village newspaper.

In this episode of Griffith University's Remarkable Tales, we speak to participants of the 2018 WOW Women of the World Festival. Griffith University sponsored the travel and enabled the participation of some of the speakers in this festival which celebrates the contribution of women throughout the Commonwealth. Listen to the amazing musical creations of Brisbane performer and DJ extraordinaire Busty Beatz who tells us about her show which has travelled the world, called Hot Brown Honey. The podcast also features WOW guest speaker and Griffith University Climate Change research scientist Esther Onyango.

In this episode of Griffith University's Remarkable Tales, we speak to film school graduate Alex Podger, who has now risen to become Director of the Woodford Folk Festival closing Fire Event - the largest outdoor performance of its type in Australia. The massive ceremony involves a team of more than 160 volunteer artists, puppeteers, performers, painters and pyrotechnicians, and combined with a soaring live symphonic score, takes more than an hour and a half to unfold. It’s just another day in the life for the Griffith University graduate, who has created large scale outdoor theatrical works across Australia and Europe.

In this episode of Remarkable Tales, we take you to the Woodford Folk Festival. The Griffith University student newsroom based on site has gathered tales from throughout Woodfordia, where more than 130,000 thousand people gather every year, making it larger than the nearest town of Nambour.

In this episode of Remarkable Tales Griffith University Business School Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor David Grant talks about how social impact and industry partnerships are what differentiates Griffith University's Business School from other business courses around the country.

In this episode of Remarkable Tales, Stephen O'Grady speaks to Dr Justin Ready about the emergence of body-worn cameras in the police force. For a moment in time, technology offered a panacea of sorts to the world. A new dawn for the place of trust in relationships between officers of the law and the broader community was briefly heralded until the reality of social situations duly tempered expectations. The question is, do cameras record the whole policing story and what impact are these devices having on the legal process.

In this episode of Remarkable Tales, we hear about how the 2018 Commonwealth Games were not only an event for athletic excellence but also for the thousands who volunteered their time and effort to make the games one of the best in history. But how do we judge the volunteer effort? That is the focus of a Griffith Business School research project led by Dr Liz Fredline at the Department of Tourism, Sport and Hotel Management.

In this episode of Remarkable Tales, a researcher who is all ears, Dr Leah Barclay tells us how she works at the intersection of art and science. The research fellow at the Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre and Griffith Climate Change Response Program lives in surround sound, tuning into the cacophonies of acoustic ecology and climate action. Leah is focused on how the emerging science of eco-acoustics can complement and enhance scientific knowledge, potentially leading to knowledge that supports the wellbeing of waterways the world over, including the Great Barrier Reef.

In this episode of Remarkable Tales Griffith University academics Hamish McLean and Duncan McConnell talk about their incredibly successful training trip to Mongolia, giving locals hands-on teaching in the latest paramedic techniques, while using the most basic equipment they had available.

In this episode of Griffith University's Remarkable Tales, we speak to Griffith University's inaugural Outstanding Alumnus recipient, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services(QFES)Commissioner Katarina Carroll. She tells us about her distinctive management style, and how she navigated significant cultural change in the QFES. She is passionate about her work advancing gender equity, and explains how it makes good economic as well as ethical sense to improve the representation of women in the workplace.

In this episode of Griffith University's Remarkable Tales, we go to the Tasmania's Wild West coast. What started as a Griffith University film school final year project has evolved into a three-part series of award nominated documentaries, with a worldwide following. It took nearly two years from conception to completion. The 23 year olds behind the Tasmanian Ghost Town project gained the trust of sceptical townspeople, tired of reporters coming into their dying mining town and telling just one side of their story. Those apprehensive townspeople eventually trusted the filmmakers so much they revealed parts of their lives and stories that had been kept behind the mountains for decades. Hear their story as we go to the world premiere at Queenstown Tasmania with reporter Nance Haxton, where the films were specially selected to feature in the prestigious arts festival, The Unconformity. www.ghosttownproject.com

In this episode of Griffith University's Remarkable Tales, Nance Haxton speaks to former Australian of the Year, Griffith University Emeritus Professor Alan Mackay-Sim, Professor Heidi Zeeman, and Conference organiser Nick Rushworth about how the conference plans to explore the exciting opportunities being opened up by new research in neuroplasticity - at the National Brain Injury Conference at the Princess Alexandra Hospital on November 13 and 14.

In this episode of Griffith University's Remarkable Tales, leading Indigenous entrepreneur Dean Foley tells how he has overcome many challenges to become a driving force supporting and empowering Australia’s First Nation’s youth. His Barayamal Centre of Entrepreneurship attracts young people from across the country, helping their Indigenous startups and businesses grow.

In this episode of Griffith University's Remarkable Tales, Griffith graduate Nathan Dalton take us behind the scenes of United Nations’ headquarters in New York. He tells us how he made his way from the streets of Toowoomba and Brisbane, to the some of the world’s most challenging conflicts. After 15 years at the front line of United Nations field missions in conflict zones around the world, he is now a political affairs officer for the UN, working towards peace in the Middle East. Nathan Dalton now walks alongside representatives of 193 member states confronting the great issues of humanity such as climate change, peace and security and human rights.

In this episode of Griffith University's Remarkable Tales, the voice of Siri Karen Jacobsen, tells us her story of how her singing took her from Mackay to living her dream in New York. She says her remarkable journey is one that would not have been possible without her training at Griffith University’s Conservatorium of Music.

In this episode of Griffith University's Remarkable Tales, Griffith journalism graduate Sarah Binney tells how she made her dream a reality, living the New York life so many young people today aspire to lead. Listen to Sarah's journey from small town Gladstone to the biggest city of them all.

In this episode of Griffith University's Remarkable Tales, Emma Dale tells how she helped set up a world first trust to help save the Red Pandas. She talks about her degrees in science and her career which has taken to the far-flung corners of the world.

In this first episode of Griffith University's Remarkable Tales, Nance Haxton reports from Lockhart River on how solar power is transforming the town’s businesses, schools and homes. We hear from the people of this remote Aboriginal community in far north Queensland, how it could hold the key to cleaner and more reliable power supply for isolated indigenous communities throughout Australia and the Pacific. This tiny township nestled in bushland on Cape York Peninsula, 800 kilometres north of Cairns, is so isolated it's not even on the national power grid. As a result Lockhart River relies on expensive and dirty diesel fuel to keep the lights on, and power the town’s businesses and homes. Until now. And it all comes down to solar power.