Made In Lithgow

Ian Iddles and Brad Cluff

Made in Lithgow is where the stories of Lithgow come to life. Hosted by Ian "Legend" Iddles and Brad Cluff, we sit down with the people who make this community what it is—locals, legends, leaders, and everyday Australians with extraordinary stories. Honest, unfiltered and proudly regional, these conversations preserve the history, celebrate the characters and explore the future of one of Australia's most resilient towns.

  1. #51: "Do You Know Top Dawg?" | The Real Ean Griffiths

    3 days ago

    #51: "Do You Know Top Dawg?" | The Real Ean Griffiths

    If you've spent any time in Lithgow over the past 20 years—or anywhere on the internet—you've probably heard the name Top Dawg. But who is the man behind the music? In this episode of Made in Lithgow, Brad Cluff and Ian "Legend" Iddles sit down with lifelong mate Ean "Top Dawg" Griffiths for one of the most honest and heartfelt conversations we've had. From growing up in Portland and attending Wallerawang Public School, to finding music as an escape from bullying, Ean shares the story behind the viral videos, the millions of online views, meeting Australian rap artists, building an enormous social media following, and becoming one of Lithgow's most recognisable personalities. We also talk about Williams Syndrome, family, resilience, the power of music, internet fame, dealing with online trolls, and why Lithgow will always be home. This isn't an interview about social media. It's a conversation about friendship, community, perseverance and the real person behind one of Australia's most recognisable internet personalities. In this episode: Growing up in Portland & LithgowWallerawang Public School memoriesFinding music through difficult timesGoing viral on Facebook & YouTubeMeeting Australian rap artistsLife with Williams syndromeDealing with online bullyingWhy family means everythingThe future of Top DawgIf you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with someone who remembers the early days of Top Dawg.

    40 min
  2. #50: Paul Toole - 100 Days Closed - The Mt Victoria Pass Crisis

    17 June

    #50: Paul Toole - 100 Days Closed - The Mt Victoria Pass Crisis

    For our milestone 50th episode, we sit down with former Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Member for Bathurst, Paul Toole MP, for a deep dive into one of the biggest issues facing Lithgow and the Central West. As Mt Victoria Pass reaches 100 days of closure, frustration continues to grow across the region. Businesses are reporting significant losses, tourism operators are feeling the impact, freight costs have increased, and families are dealing with longer travel times and uncertainty about the future. In this episode, Paul discusses: • What caused the closure of Mt Victoria Pass• Why repairs are taking so long• The economic impact on Lithgow, Bathurst, Oberon and the wider Central West• The proposed 11km tunnel through the Blue Mountains• The funding commitments that were previously on the table• Whether regional NSW is receiving the attention it deserves• The future of Wolgan Gap Road, Browns Gap Road and Janolan Caves• Opportunities for Lithgow beyond coal• Data centres, infrastructure, tourism and investment• What success for Lithgow could look like in 2035 We also explore Paul's journey from teacher, councillor and Mayor of Bathurst to Deputy Premier of New South Wales, and his vision for the future of regional communities. Whether you're a business owner, resident, commuter or simply passionate about the future of regional NSW, this episode provides valuable insight into one of the most significant challenges currently facing our region. Made in Lithgow is a long-form podcast focused on the people, businesses, history and future of Lithgow and the Central West. Keywords: Mt Victoria Pass, Lithgow, Bathurst, Paul Toole, Central West NSW, Blue Mountains, Great Western Highway, Regional NSW, Infrastructure, Tourism, Small Business, Janolan Caves, Wolgan Valley, Data Centres, Economic Development, Made in Lithgow Podcast.

    1hr 5min
  3. #49: Built on Family: Holly & Laura Vatalis Growing the Fox Brand in Lithgow

    17 Apr

    #49: Built on Family: Holly & Laura Vatalis Growing the Fox Brand in Lithgow

    In this episode of Made in Lithgow, we sit down with Laura and Holly Vatalis — two of the driving forces behind The Blue Fox, The Fast Fox, Fast Fox Portland, and soon, Cubs. Behind it all is their mum, Kat — the matriarch of the family and the steady force that helped bring it all to life. What started as a short-term move turned into a decade of building businesses, backing each other, and becoming part of the fabric of Lithgow. This is a story about family — and how three women, each with different strengths, have built something that works. In this conversation, Laura and Holly open up about: What it’s really like working in a family businessHow they’ve grown from one venue to multiple locationsThe pressure of employing and supporting a large local teamAnd the challenges they’ve had to push through — fire, flood, bushfires, Covid, gas outages, and now the ongoing road and traffic impacts through townWe also talk about why Lithgow has become home, the importance of community, and why more good venues in town should be seen as a win, not a competition. This is an honest conversation about resilience, family, hospitality, and what it actually takes to build something that lasts.

    54 min
  4. #45: Roll The Dice: Rich Evans v2.0

    14 Jan

    #45: Roll The Dice: Rich Evans v2.0

    This episode of Made in Lithgow is about one decision — and the ripple effect it creates. We sit down again with Rich Evans, not to talk about projects or achievements, but to tell the full story of what it means to wait for an organ transplant — and to survive one. Rich speaks openly about: Preparing for death more than survivalWaiting months while his body failed and time ran outGetting the call — twice — and having the first liver deemed non-viable minutes before surgeryThe mental toll of transplant, recovery, and post-surgery traumaWaking up in the ICU, unsure if he’d made itWhy recovery doesn’t end when you leave the hospital But at the heart of this conversation is one unignorable truth: Rich is alive because a family said yes to organ donation on the worst day of their lives. He talks about writing to his donor’s family. Setting a place at the Christmas table for the person who saved his life. And why ticking a box on your licence is not enough — you must register, and you must tell your family. This is a conversation about gratitude, humility, and community. About the unseen chain of people — donors, families, nurses, doctors — who make survival possible. And about why organ donation is not an abstract idea. It’s life. Or death.

    1hr 19min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Made in Lithgow is where the stories of Lithgow come to life. Hosted by Ian "Legend" Iddles and Brad Cluff, we sit down with the people who make this community what it is—locals, legends, leaders, and everyday Australians with extraordinary stories. Honest, unfiltered and proudly regional, these conversations preserve the history, celebrate the characters and explore the future of one of Australia's most resilient towns.

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