Earth Matters

Bec Horridge, Claudia Craig, Mia Audrey & Keiran Stewart-Assheton.

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Local and global environmental issues from grassroots, activist perspectives with a strong social justice focus. Distributed nationally on the Community Radio Network.

2 days ago

30th Birthday Special: Goolengook Blockade Reflections

Earth Matters 30th Birthday Special: Goolengook Blockade Reflections This month in June, Earth Matters has turned 30 years old, and our proud partner 3cr Community Radio also celebrates their 50th Birthday. To celebrate these important milestones we have been going through our archives. In this episode we hear the first Earth Matters host, Juliet Fox at the Goolengook blockades, in East Gippsland, 1997. Many activists from across Australia went to this remote forest to fight against clear fell logging, which was Australia's longest running forest blockade. Juliet speaks about her history with Earth Matters and how it all started and how reporting on environmental activism was back then. Fiona York gives an update on how the forests in Errinundra are now after years of tireless campaigning to protect it, her relationship with Earth Matters and how it impacted the campaign at the time. Juliet Fox - a community media coordinator and researcher who has decades long experience in radio production, presentation, media project design and coordination. She is also a writer, researcher and lecturer, and is passionate about alternative media covering issues that mainstream media doesn't. Fiona York - Has been an activist and organiser with the Goongerah Environment Centre for over 30 years, she also volunteers with community organisations and currently works in housing for older people Earth Matters #1562 was produced by Hannah York on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country
21 Jun

30th Birthday Special: Close Pine Gap

This year, Earth Matters is thirty years old! And 3CR, our proud parent, is 50 years old! We’re celebrating by digging into the archives, tipping our hat to past presenters who paved the way with hard-hitting and crucial content on environmental current affairs. Have you heard of Pine Gap? Most likely you have. You may even have heard about the fight against the construction of the US military base in the mid-80s. In this episode we’ll take a trip to those days, before even Earth Matters was born. It’s a fight that’s continued in different forms and been covered on this show over its decades, that sits at the intersection of land rights, militarism, anti-nuclear campaigning and global imperialism. Importantly, it’s also a topical one – in just under a month, activists will once more converge for the Close Pine Gap Sacred Land Back convergence in Mparntwe Alice Springs to keep alive the flame of resistance that was lit all those years ago. More on the Close Pine Gap - Sacred Land Bank Covergence: https://closepinegap.org.au/Earth Matters #1561 was produced by Mia Audrey on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.
14 Jun

Earth Matters Live Radiothon Show

Earth Matters presents a live show in the studios of 3CR in Fitzroy Naarm to raise funds for our broadcasting. Earth Matters presenters Kieran Stewart-Assherton, Mia Audrey and Claudia Craig together with past producer Judith Peppard are joined on phone by Bec Horridge and Hannah York for a live to air Radiothon broadcast.Also on the show we hear from campaigners Cam Walker (Friends of the Earth) and Jordan Crook (Victorian National Parks Association). They share some of the programme's unique attributes and contributions to the environmental advocacy landscape.Past EM producers Jacob Gamble and Eiddwen Jeffrey share their memories and favourite stories.In 2026 Earth Matters celebrates 30-years of broadcast and 3CR celebrates 50-years. Let's celebrate together!You can DONATE HERE to help 3CR and Earth Matters stay on air or call the station on 03 9419 8377 during business hours Monday - Friday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm.
14 Jun

30th Birthday Special: The Jabiluka Blockade

To celebrate 30 years of Earth Matters, Mia digs into the archives and presents a special feature on a historic milestone: the Jabiluka blockade. You'll hear former presenter Juliet Fox interviewing Jane Weepers, spokesperson for the Jabiluka Alliance, on the first day of the blockade in March 1998; and audio from the road trip to the proposed uranium mine site organised by the Australian Student Environment Network the year before, in mid-1997.More on the Jabiluka blockade: https://commonslibrary.org/the-jabiluka-blockade-22-years-on/ Earth Matters #1560 was produced by Mia Audrey on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.
31 May

Part 2 Exploring Extreme Heat: The Mental Health Impacts of Heat

Content WarningThe episode mentions domestic and sexual violence, and online hate in this episode which might be distressing for some listeners. Later on there is a more in-depth discussion of mental illness including suicidal ideation. The presenter announces when the more in-depth discussion begins and provides support service contacts for anyone needing help at the end of the show. Part 2 Exploring Extreme Heat: Mental Health How does heat affect the way we think, feel, and behave? Today on Earth Matters we continue our exploration of the impacts of extreme heat on Australian lives. We look at how hot weather affects physical health and mental health, as well as secondary impacts like increased domestic violence and online hate speech. We learn of an alarming trend of increased mental health emergency presentations among young people during warm and hot weather and the importance of maintaining mental health care including medications during these times. Guests: Kellie Caught, Programme Director for Climate and Energy at the Australian Council of Social Service.Dr Cybele Dey, member of Doctors for the Environment Australia and child and adolescent psychiatrist working in the Sydney Children's Hospital Network. Episode #1558: Producer/presenter: Claudia CraigPhoto image: Tatiana Syrikova Crisis numbers and support LIFELINE 13 11 14 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732 | or visit1800respect.org.au First Peoples support: 13YARN: 13 92 76 | 13yarn.org.auYarning Safe'n'Strong: 1800 959 563 Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 | beyondblue.org.au Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 For anyone in immediate danger call Triple Zero 000. Resources https://www.dea.org.au/how_climate_change_affects_mental_health_in_australia https://www.acoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Heat-in-Homes-Digital-1.0.pdf DEA Heat Health Fact Sheet:https://assets.nationbuilder.com/docsenvaus/pages/382/attachments/original/1730167589/Heat_Health_Fact_Sheet_DEA_Oct_2024.pdf?1730167589 Missed Part One of the Exploring Extreme Heat series? Catch up by podcast here: Part One Exploring Extreme Heat.
24 May

Fire Scientists on Impacts of Planned Burns in Wet Forests

This week on Earth Matters, Hannah speaks with fire scientist Phil Zylstra about the large planned burn that took place in the Snowy River National Park. He speaks on the ecological impacts planned burns have on wet forest ecosystems and how Forest Fire Management Victoria is escalating the impacts of fires in the long-term. We also hear from activist and organiser Violet Coco on fuel breaks mimicking the logging-past of Victoria, with some motivating words on fighting for forest protection. Links: https://www.geco.org.au/https://www.victorianforestalliance.org.au/ Earth Matters #1557 was produced by Hannah York on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.
17 May

Conservation: Back2Basics

This episode of Earth Matters examines the ecological crisis unfolding across this continent, from the destruction of the Victorian Volcanic Plains to extinction, land clearing, invasive species and climate change. It explores the responsibilities people hold in response, including First Nations obligations to Country grounded in lore, kinship and cultural practice, alongside the broader responsibilities people have to future generations, clean water, food systems and ecological survival.The episode also focuses on practical action and environmental restoration at the local level. It looks at ways people can contribute through learning about ecosystems, planting indigenous species, supporting conservation groups, restoring habitat and reducing environmental harm within their own communities. It also examines the impacts of invasive plants and roaming domestic cats on native wildlife, and the importance of realistic but active approaches to ecological repair.
10 May

Sooty on the High Court win that affirms right for third parties with a "special interest" to take Forestry Corporation to court while 15 year old Jesinta calls for more relevant environmental education in schools. [with transcript]

Sooty from South East Forest Rescue shares a significant legal win in the High Court, which affirmed the right for third parties with a "special interest" to take Forestry Corporation to court in New South Wales. This overturned Forestry's argument that such actions would "open the floodgates” to legal action from environmentalists.Sooty describes the subsequent ongoing case in the Land Environment Court against Forest Corp, hinging on the precise definition of a "glider den tree."Fifteen year-old Jesinta Newland, describes how her passion for nature, ignited at age eight after witnessing logging. She speaks out against deforestation that destroys habitats for endangered species like koalas and gliders, mostly for woodchips and paper.Jesinta and her mother Jaclyn attended the South Coast Action Network Forest Festival, a family-friendly, dry, vegan-food event focused on community and environmental education. Jacinta describes forest festival activities: Spotlighting, Eco-dying: and NVDA Training and campaigning for protection for 500-year-old "Mother Tree" Big Spotty in Booman State Forest.Jesinta notes that there is a lack of awareness and education as many of her peers are unaware of the logging occurring locally. She wishes for more comprehensive environmental education in schools, as she has learned most of her knowledge through SCAN and older mentors. Guests: Sooty: South East Forest Rescue Jesinta Newland: South Coast Action Network ( SCAN) Jaclyn NewlandLinks:South East Forest RescueNorth East Forest AllianceNational Parks Association of NSW - Protecting Nature Through Community Action

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Local and global environmental issues from grassroots, activist perspectives with a strong social justice focus. Distributed nationally on the Community Radio Network.