voicesofwomen's podcast

Welcome to Sambandha/Connections. Sambandha is the Sanskirt word for ‘connection' and we are excited to present this podcast featuring the stories created together by Ryde women, with a focus on the South Asian community. The podcasts are a crystallisation of our internal and external voices, often indistinguishable as one voice.  Speaker/writer: Samantha Sirimanne Hyde Artistic Director: Lliane Clarke Co-Producer, Workshop Co-Facilitator: Hasitha Adhikariarachchi Co-Producer: Samantha Sirimanne Hyde We acknowledge the land of the Wallumedegal people, the traditional owners of the Country upon which this work was created, and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We thank City of Ryde Council for their support for this program.

Welcome to Sambandha/Connections. Sambandha is the Sanskirt word for ‘connection' and we are excited to present this podcast featuring the stories created together by Ryde women, with a focus on the South Asian community. The podcasts are a crystallisation of our internal and external voices, often indistinguishable as one voice.  Speaker/writer: Suchie PandeArtistic Director: Lliane ClarkeCo-Producer, Workshop Co-Facilitator: Hasitha AdhikariarachchiCo-Producer: Samantha Sirimanne Hyde We acknowledge the land of the Wallumedegal people, the traditional owners of the Country upon which this work was created, and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We thank City of Ryde Council for their support for this program.

Welcome to Sambandha/Connections. Sambandha is the Sanskirt word for ‘connection' and we are excited to present this podcast featuring the stories created together by Ryde women, with a focus on the South Asian community. The podcasts are a crystallisation of our internal and external voices, often indistinguishable as one voice.  Speaker/writer: Yasmin TambiahArtistic Director: Lliane ClarkeCo-Producer, Workshop Co-Facilitator: Hasitha AdhikariarachchiCo-Producer: Samantha Sirimanne Hyde We acknowledge the land of the Wallumedegal people, the traditional owners of the Country upon which this work was created, and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We thank City of Ryde Council for their support for this program.

Welcome to Sambandha/Connections. Sambandha is the Sanskirt word for ‘connection' and we are excited to present this podcast featuring the stories created together by Ryde women, with a focus on the South Asian community. The podcasts are a crystallisation of our internal and external voices, often indistinguishable as one voice.  Speaker/writers: Oormila Vijayakrishnan Prahlad, Zita Arends and Bindu Narula. Artistic Director: Lliane ClarkeCo-Producer, Workshop Co-Facilitator: Hasitha AdhikariarachchiCo-Producer: Samantha Sirimanne Hyde We acknowledge the land of the Wallumedegal people, the traditional owners of the Country upon which this work was created, and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We thank City of Ryde Council for their support for this program.

Welcome to Sambandha/Connections. Sambandha is the Sanskirt word for ‘connection' and we are excited to present this podcast featuring the stories created together by Ryde women, with a focus on the South Asian community. The podcasts are a crystallisation of our internal and external voices, often indistinguishable as one voice.  Workshop participants and writers: Krish Alahakoom, Zita Arends, Gwen Bitti, Monica Castillo, Devni, Edilia Ford, Denise Lavell, Yasasi Malmeewala, Shirley Mower, Bindu Narula, Suchie Pande, Ruth Pietersen, Angeline Singam, Subha, Yasmin Tambiah, Sanindi Perera, Oormila Vijayakrishnan Prahlad, Thalatha Wijerathne. Artistic Director: Lliane Clarke Co-Producer, Workshop Co-Facilitator: Hasitha Adhikariarachchi Co-Producer: Samantha Sirimanne Hyde We acknowledge the land of the Wallumedegal people, the traditional owners of the Country upon which this work was created, and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We thank City of Ryde Council for their support for this program.

  Welcome to Sambandha/Connections. Sambandha is the Sanskirt word for ‘connection' and we are excited to present this podcast featuring the stories created together by Ryde women, with a focus on the South Asian community. The podcasts are a crystallisation of our internal and external voices, often indistinguishable as one voice.  Workshop participants and writers: Krish Alahakoom, Zita Arends, Gwen Bitti, Monica Castillo, Devni, Edilia Ford, Denise Lavell, Yasasi Malmeewala, Shirley Mower, Bindu Narula, Suchie Pande, Ruth Pietersen, Angeline Singam, Subha, Yasmin Tambiah, Sanindi Perera, Oormila Vijayakrishnan Prahlad, Thalatha Wijerathne. Artistic Director: Lliane Clarke Co-Producer, Workshop Co-Facilitator: Hasitha Adhikariarachchi Co-Producer: Samantha Sirimanne Hyde We acknowledge the land of the Wallumedegal people, the traditional owners of the Country upon which this work was created, and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We thank City of Ryde Council for their support for this program.

Dubbo. Once upon a time in Dubbo, women went walking.   Podcast created as part of 'Dubbo Connection' on Tubba-Gah (maing) Wiradjuri Country supported by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) Future Drought Program. Facilitated by Voices of Women Artistic Director Lliane Clarke and Studio 138 Director Erifili Davis with Composer and Musician Elizabeth Jigalin. Participants, writers and readers: Shannon Barnes, Val Clark, Kalina Davis, Annette Ferguson, Suzie Foran, Akriti Shah and Camilla Ward. Recorded at ArtClub Dubbo and in Sydney.

In Dubbo, cars rule. Or do they?   Podcast created as part of 'Dubbo Connection' on Tubba-Gah (maing) Wiradjuri Country supported by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) Future Drought Program. Facilitated by Voices of Women Artistic Director Lliane Clarke and Studio 138 Director Erifili Davis with Composer and Musician Elizabeth Jigalin. Participants, writers and readers: Shannon Barnes, Val Clark, Kalina Davis, Annette Ferguson, Suzie Foran, Akriti Shah and Camilla Ward. Recorded at ArtClub Dubbo and in Sydney.

This place. Where we live.  Podcast created as part of 'Dubbo Connection' on Tubba-Gah (maing) Wiradjuri Country supported by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) Future Drought Program. Facilitated by Voices of Women Artistic Director Lliane Clarke and Studio 138 Director Erifili Davis with Composer and Musician Elizabeth Jigalin. Participants, writers and readers: Shannon Barnes, Val Clark, Kalina Davis, Annette Ferguson, Suzie Foran, Akriti Shah and Camilla Ward. Recorded at ArtClub Dubbo and in Sydney.

Dubbo. I never knew I was blind to the beauty of the ordinary.  I never knew my soul could dance. I never knew I would be part of the narration of an optic, as we walk in a shared space.   Podcast created as part of 'Dubbo Connection' on Tubba-Gah (maing) Wiradjuri Country supported by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) Future Drought Program. Facilitated by Voices of Women Artistic Director Lliane Clarke and Studio 138 Director Erifili Davis with Composer and Musician Elizabeth Jigalin. Participants, writers and readers: Shannon Barnes, Val Clark, Kalina Davis, Annette Ferguson, Suzie Foran, Akriti Shah and Camilla Ward. Recorded at ArtClub Dubbo and in Sydney.

Newcastle. Sheets of Paperbark. Archives of the years gone by, in files packed away.  Podcast created and recorded at Newcastle Writers Festival Storymaking Workshop on Awabakal Country in The Watt Space Gallery, supported by WHiP Collective of Women Artists. Facilitated by Voices of Women Artistic Director Lliane Clarke and Madhullikaa Singh.  Participants, writers and readers: Sharon Allibone, Ellen Auriac, Jessica Baker, Fiorella Carrera, Anne Evers, Edilia Ford, Casey Gray, Kellie Hackney, Maggie Hall, Kate Portier, Karly Robinson, Lilibeth Sta-Maria, Suzanne Stephens Warren, Tonia Weaver, Merran Winchester, Leanne Wright, Kirsten Campbell and Linda King.  

Newcastle. Walking the streets, finding the portrait mural of Alex Walsh by Inari Meyers dominating Auckland Street.  Podcast created and recorded at Newcastle Writers Festival Storymaking Workshop on Awabakal Country in The Watt Space Gallery, supported by WHiP Collective of Women Artists. Facilitated by Voices of Women Artistic Director Lliane Clarke and Madhullikaa Singh.  Participants, writers and readers: Sharon Allibone, Ellen Auriac, Jessica Baker, Fiorella Carrera, Anne Evers, Edilia Ford, Casey Gray, Kellie Hackney, Maggie Hall, Kate Portier, Karly Robinson, Lilibeth Sta-Maria, Suzanne Stephens Warren, Tonia Weaver, Merran Winchester, Leanne Wright, Kirsten Campbell and Linda King.  

Newcastle. Did my sense of familiarity betray me? Would I have been braver with the choices I made? Is what I'm seeing real? Podcast created and recorded at Newcastle Writers Festival Storymaking Workshop on Awabakal Country in The Watt Space Gallery, supported by WHiP Collective of Women Artists. Facilitated by Voices of Women Artistic Director Lliane Clarke and Madhullikaa Singh.  Participants, writers and readers: Sharon Allibone, Ellen Auriac, Jessica Baker, Fiorella Carrera, Anne Evers, Edilia Ford, Casey Gray, Kellie Hackney, Maggie Hall, Kate Portier, Karly Robinson, Lilibeth Sta-Maria, Suzanne Stephens Warren, Tonia Weaver, Merran Winchester, Leanne Wright, Kirsten Campbell and Linda King.  

Newcastle. The pavement trees locked down in Auckland Street look longingly at the shining pearls and shimmering diamonds roaming free in the park.  Podcast created and recorded at Newcastle Writers Festival Storymaking Workshop on Awabakal Country in The Watt Space Gallery, supported by WHiP Collective of Women Artists. Facilitated by Voices of Women Artistic Director Lliane Clarke and Madhullikaa Singh.  Participants, writers and readers: Sharon Allibone, Ellen Auriac, Jessica Baker, Fiorella Carrera, Anne Evers, Edilia Ford, Casey Gray, Kellie Hackney, Maggie Hall, Kate Portier, Karly Robinson, Lilibeth Sta-Maria, Suzanne Stephens Warren, Tonia Weaver, Merran Winchester, Leanne Wright, Kirsten Campbell and Linda King.  

Newcastle. As the last steam train pulls out of Newy Station, Suzie wishes she was anywhere but on it. Podcast created and recorded at Newcastle Writers Festival Storymaking Workshop on Awabakal Country in The Watt Space Gallery, supported by WHiP Collective of Women Artists. Facilitated by Voices of Women Artistic Director Lliane Clarke and Madhullikaa Singh.  Participants, writers and readers: Sharon Allibone, Ellen Auriac, Jessica Baker, Fiorella Carrera, Anne Evers, Edilia Ford, Casey Gray, Kellie Hackney, Maggie Hall, Kate Portier, Karly Robinson, Lilibeth Sta-Maria, Suzanne Stephens Warren, Tonia Weaver, Merran Winchester, Leanne Wright, Kirsten Campbell and Linda King.  

'Once upon a time in North Wagga, there was a dog. He wasn't a very big dog but he didn't know that. What was this place before? It's twin rode in on a beast made of time.' A sound story created on Wiradjuri Country in North Wagga WaggaPresented by Voices of Women  Artistic Director: Lliane Clarke Sound: Elizabeth Jigalin Facilitators: Saasha McMillan and Haya Arzidin Thank you to Aunty Cheryl Penrith and North Wagga Community Hall. Supported by NSW Government Office for Regional Youth/Create NSW, Eastern Riverina Arts and Oddball Theatre.

Read by actor Hasitha Adhikariarachchi and recorded for Embellishment at KXT Broadway. Written by Suzi Mezei, a Sri Lankan born Australian writer who lives on lands traditionally owned by the people of the Kulin Nations. Suzi's work is published in Australia and overseas in journals and anthologies and she is the recipient of writing prizes.

"Me and my dad used to go down the beach before the sun rose. It was still dark. We'd walk down and start a fire." Artist and proud Gumbaynggirr woman Yaara Straede tells a story of two important people in her family. Read by Lucy Heffernan, Actor in Residence Storytelling Workshop Program, in collaboration with Shopfront Arts Coop. Music by Elizabeth Jigalin, Composer in Residence. Recorded at Macksville CWA in a workshop series supported by Shoretrack, Jaanymili Bawrungga, Multicultural NSW and Holiday Break Program Office of Regional Youth in partnership with Create NSW.

"I look out the window and see the light coming in. It gives me strength and hope - of a new day." Written by Gumbaynggirr Elder Penny Stadhams. Read by Di Bird. Music by Elizabeth Jigalin, Composer in Residence. Recorded at Macksville CWA in a workshop series supported by Shoretrack, Jaanymili Bawrungga, Multicultural NSW and Holiday Break Program Office of Regional Youth in partnership with Create NSW.

"These days people don't know how to enjoy themselves!" Written by Gumbaynggirr Elder Rebecca Stadhams. Read by Lucy Heffernan, Actor in Residence Storytelling Workshop Program, in collaboration with Shopfront Arts Coop. Recorded at Macksville CWA in a workshop series supported by Shoretrack, Jaanymili Bawrungga, Multicultural NSW and Holiday Break Program Office of Regional Youth in partnership with Create NSW. 

A precious family moment comes with a cup of tea and Ngarlaa, sea turtle in Gumbaynggirr language. Written by Gumbaynggirr Elder Michele Donovan and read by Di Bird. Music by Elizabeth Jigalin, Composer in Residence. Recorded at Macksville CWA in a workshop series supported by Shoretrack, Jaanymili Bawrungga, Multicultural NSW and Holiday Break Program Office of Regional Youth in partnership with Create NSW.

When Mum goes out, the kids are in charge! Written by Monica Bognar, with assistance from Blue Bird Disability Support Services. Read by Lucy Heffernan, Actor in Residence Storytelling Workshop Program, in collaboration with Shopfront Arts Coop. Music by Elizabeth Jigalin, Composer in Residence. Recorded at Macksville CWA in a workshop series supported by Shoretrack, Jaanymili Bawrungga, Multicultural NSW and Holiday Break Program Office of Regional Youth in partnership with Create NSW.

"The only way to be taken seriously is to be fine about it." Written by Raquel Rebolledo and read by Lucy Heffernan, Actor in Residence Storytelling Workshop Program, in collaboration with Shopfront Arts Coop. Recorded at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery in a workshop supported by Multicultural NSW Compact program.

"She's not going to turn up. Where will I wait? Don't cry! But I know I'm going to!" Wandiwandandian Wodi Wodi Jerrinja Elder Sharlene Cruickshank shares the joy of reconnecting with family. Recorded at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery in a workshop supported by Multicultural NSW Compact program.

"Over the wall, under the lighthouse, was just mine and Dad's. ‘Baaliba waraapiya' he called it, ‘our harbour'." Written and read by Nicole Smede, a multi-disciplinary artist of Worimi and European descent and Writer in Residence, Shoalhaven Storytelling Workshop. Recorded at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery in a workshop supported by Multicultural NSW Compact program.

Out on an incredible date, Emmy is felled by a comment shouted from a passing car. Written and read by Emily O'Brien. Recorded at Wagga Wagga Gallery in a workshop supported by Multicultural NSW Compact program.

Trevor, Travis or Troy? A job interview plunges Sally into a conundrum. Written and read by Sally Jackson. Recorded at Wagga Wagga Gallery in a workshop supported by Multicultural NSW Compact program.

A tiny lemon myrtle seedling brings Wendy back to earth. Written and read by Wendy Chilton. Recorded at Wagga Wagga Gallery in a workshop supported by Multicultural NSW Compact program.

What happens when the school holidays have started and you can't face your laptop? Written by Saasha McMillan and read by Tash Shimpf. Recorded at Wagga Wagga Gallery in a workshop supported by Multicultural NSW Compact program.

What happens when the school holidays have started and you can't face your laptop? Written and read by Saasha McMillan. Recorded at Wagga Wagga Gallery in a workshop supported by Multicultural NSW Compact program.

What happens when a nurse steals a little pearl box on the bedside of her elderly patient? Kalina Davis reads her interpretation. Created as part of the Holiday Break program supported by the Office for Regional Youth in partnership with Create NSW.  

What happens when a nurse steals a little pearl box on the bedside of her elderly patient? Vicki Bedingfield reads her interpretation. Created as part of the Holiday Break program supported by the Office for Regional Youth in partnership with Create NSW.  

Overwhelmed with work and too busy to stop, a young woman watches a rising river in flood.  Kalina Davis is an emerging First Nations writer and performer, based in Dubbo. She has appeared in several short films, including 5 Days, and was Artist in Residence for the Voices of Women Amplify program in 2022.  Kalina's interest in acting began at a young age, participating in school plays and musicals.  Created as part of the Holiday Break program supported by the Office for Regional Youth in partnership with Create NSW.  

A young woman finds an old book in a second-hand shop, which changes its story when she holds it in her hand. What destiny will it reveal for her? Kalina Davis is an emerging First Nations writer and performer, based in Dubbo. She has appeared in several short films, including 5 Days, and was Artist in Residence for the Voices of Women Amplify program in 2022.  Kalina's interest in acting began at a young age, participating in school plays and musicals.  Created as part of the Holiday Break program supported by the Office for Regional Youth in partnership with Create NSW.

Ghosted by her ex, and having to move out, a young woman finds the tiara from her childhood and decides to run her own Kingdom. Georgie Saunders is an emerging Dubbo-based actor and performer. She completed her HSC at St Johns College Dubbo and performs at Studio 138 Not A Dress Rehearsal. She excels in collaborative creative projects and performed in Amplify Voices of Women in 2022. Created as part of the Holiday Break program supported by the Office for Regional Youth in partnership with Create NSW.

Gayle Kennedy is an award-winning writer, speaker and presenter and proud member of the Wongaiibon Clan of the Ngiyaampaa speaking Nation of south-west NSW. This  poem is her response to an exhibition of Carved Trees at the State Library of NSW. It is read by, her sister, Victoria Kennedy, also a proud member of the Wongaiibon Clan of the Ngiyaampaa speaking Nation of south-west NSW, an actor and health professional. First published by Red Room Poetry (redroomcompany.org). 

Nea tells the story of her mother Esme, who learnt about nursing on the job in the bush hospital at Baradine.

Wart (aka Jen Waterhouse) plays with text like it's paint. She has lived as an artist working in the visual and performing arts in Sydney since 1980. She has consistently exhibited and worked as an illustrator, designer, cartoonist, painter and performer.

A climate change ‘survivor' shelters in an archaic coal shaft with five other women, one in the process of giving birth. ‘The light flickers and fades and we feel shame—for all we didn't do when we still had time.' 

Jess finds herself speaking of crimes and misdemeanours from a much earlier age, those belonging to a six, ten, twelve-year-old. Those, evidently, belonging to her.

This stolen generations story was written by Kerry Reed-Gilbert who sadly passed in 2019. Kerry was an author, poet, activist, Elder, Wiradjuri warrior and inaugural chairperson of the First Nations Australia Writers Network (FNAWN). The story was published by Us Mob Writing. It is read by Italian Barkindji artist and poet Teena McCarthy, who also performed it live at Voices of Women in 2019. 

Wart (aka Jen Waterhouse) plays with text like it's paint. She has lived as an artist working in the visual and performing arts in Sydney since 1980. She has consistently exhibited and worked as an illustrator, designer, cartoonist, painter and performer.

In a comedic take on ordering a coffee with her blind/vision impaired friend, Australian Paralympic medallist Danae Sweetapple fesses up about living with an 'inconvenient' disability.

Waiting for Christmas lunch, Lisa reflects on the accumulation of a life. Lisa Speare is an unpublished emerging writer, working in the public service and completing study in Criminal Justice and commencing study in Accounting.

‘Flesh and fat were luxuries of childhood, in that window before starvation was understood.' On the road out of Auschwitz after liberation, a woman examines the state of her body.

‘I lean close to breathe in the scent of her, to smell that private place where only a mother should nuzzle her child.' Sissy has just one hour to connect with her baby daughter.

Alex takes a walk into that shaky space just outside the world, where we think we're alone and we avoid cracks in the sidewalk and odd numbers. Alex Smee worked as West Kimberley ABC Open Producer writing creative content for online, radio and TV platforms for over a decade, and helped establish Broome's first writers' festival. Now living on Moa Island in the Torres Strait she publishes a regular blog of stories.

By Rowena Wiseman. Read by Meg Clarke. ‘Be grateful. You're special, but you're easy to replace.' A 15-year old girl is lured into a rich man's playground. Rowena Wiseman writes contemporary fiction, young adult, micro fiction and poetry, is the author of The Replacement Wife (HarperCollins, 2015), Bequest (Tenebris Books, 2014) and Searching for Von Honningsbergs (longlisted for the 2007 Australian Vogel Award). Her poetry is published in Quadrant magazine.

‘Christopher, Christopher! I told you not to leave the playground.' Alison is a Darwin-based blog and podcast writer who often draws on her educational background working with First Nations, refugees and migrant communities for her writing.

Poetry written and read by Wart. Wart (aka Jen Waterhouse) plays with text like it's paint. She has lived as an artist working in the visual and performing arts in Sydney since 1980. She has consistently exhibited and worked as an illustrator, designer, cartoonist, painter and performer.