New Voices on 2RPH

Presented by Maria Issaris.

What could be more innocent than considering writing a little memoir? You carry out a bit of research, rock up to the Mitchell Library, and ask questions of your family members... Why, it’s virtually an Australian pastime. But for Therese Warfield it became a thin taper that lit a very large creative fire. Using skill and precision as tinder, and a whole tank of passion as lighting fluid, Therese casts into relief the inner workings of an Australian regional country town. Class, race, gender. More tinder. Suddenly a memoir isn’t a memoir anymore, but a full-blown novel.

Racism is not unfamiliar to Sarjeet Arkan who grew up as an Australian-Sikh in Woolgoolga, NSW. She critiques Therese’s work and gives such rich and textured insights into the yearning for belonging, and the sense of being an outcast that Therese portrays so well.

Original broadcast date: 15 June 2020

Presented by Maria Issaris.

When Peter Stankovic retired from the finance industry he instantly turned his energies to writing crime novels where ‘the bad guy never gets away.’Critiquer Joseph Furolo is an extremely well-read person, rippling with literary muscle. What does he think of Peter’s detective stories which proliferate a ‘Mad Men’ sociology? Loved it. As we all have who have listened to Peter’s work.

Listen in to this fascinating episode where Peter describes his writing process and what impact the women in his life have had on his writing. And then listen to how Joseph, whose social conscience is up, front and centre, deals with Peter’s rollicking tales.

Original broadcast date: 1 June 2020

Presented by Maria Issaris.

In this episode ofNew Voices, Maria explores the intricate pathways to the art of writing as a mode of tribal story-telling. For sure, writing is creative self-expression and catharsis; no doubt at all. But some of us go beyond secret journals and diaries, and start developing a form of writing that begs to be shared - and it is not always a matter of choice or design!

Part-time parent and single dad, David Benn, is interviewed about unexpectedly finding a treasure trove of writing plots - all surrounding his experience of bringing up two boys. Astute and focused professional writer, Bronwyn Birdsall, critiques his piece. Without knowing him, nor being a parent herself, she immediately related to the poignancy of David's stories and storytelling style. The theme they share in the interviews is finding your “writers voice”, which according to both is the result of unstinting self-examination.

Original broadcast date: 18 May 2020

Presented by Maria Issaris.

In this episode ofNew Voices, Maria Issaris introduces our first poet Jasmine Monk. Now, before you rear back in horror at the idea of poetry, take a listen to Jasmine’s work. She writes for music which has not yet been composed! Mental health is something we all brush up against, and Jasmine dealt with it by using poetry as a therapy - but she is superlative in her simplicity. Picked up early as a bright new talent, she bucked the system with a heroic gesture.

The ‘stranger’ who critiques her is Josh Whitkin, a self-confessed ‘Techie’ by trade, writing a dystopian novel about vegans taking over the world. You wouldn’t think these two have much in common, but you would be wrong. Josh finds Jasmine's poetry spellbinding. Of all the interviews in this series, none surprised me as much as this one. And none was quite as difficult to keep under control! Listen to this intriguing episode which is full of surprises, and quiet howls of triumph! Well, maybe not so quiet.

Original broadcast date: 4 May 2020

Presented by Maria Issaris.

In Episode 2 ofNew Voices, presenter Maria Issaris interviews emerging writer, Helena Ameisen who discusses her writing journey. Her resulting narrative non-fiction manuscript is a feast of visual images and sumptuous memories (as the excerpt she reads out on the program will demonstrate). Helena is then critiqued by Alan Weinstein, a complete stranger who recorded his reactions and analysis with Maria at the 2RPH studios earlier this year (before the current virus situation!).

Listen to hear these two fascinating characters share their writers tips, and how they manage their creative life. For more on these two writers, head to the news storyhere.

Original broadcast date: 20 April 2020

Presented by Maria Issaris.

In this first episode, presenter Maria Issaris Walsh features the work of writer and Lifeline counsellor Wil Roach, who is critiqued by fellow writer and barrister, Kellie Edwards. Wil Roach is a proud Londoner born of Trinidadian parents now living in Sydney, Australia. He found his calling in community activism and has a heartfelt involvement in the mental health system. Wil is a writer of essays and currently working on a memoirs project covering the period of the mid 1960s to early 1980s, as well as a performer of his own poems and short stories. Kellie Edwards, a Barrister in the areas of Administration, Commercial, Discrimination, Employment and Industrial Law. She is also an avid reader, painter and writer. Kellie majored in writing at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) many years ago and is working on two books: one about a cross-dressing woman in 1400s, and the other about Henry Helleyer, architect, surveyor and artistic soul who was the first white man to survey and map North-Western Tasmania for the Van Dieman’s Land Company (and happens to be a great-great-great-uncle).

Original broadcast date:6 April 2020