20 Square Blocks

Ben Plazzer
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20 Square Blocks

Everyone has stories. These are the stories within 20 square blocks of where I live.

  1. 54: The Nightingale

    JAN 20

    54: The Nightingale

    Nick Prince received the prestigious Florence Nightingale Medal from the International Red Cross, recognising his 30 years of exceptional service as a nurse. The award honoured his dedication to providing healthcare in challenging environments, including armed conflicts and natural disasters. Nick became the first Australian male recipient of this esteemed international distinction.

    42 min

  2. 09/20/2024

    53: Life Inside the Botanical Gardens

    Ian Rossiter shares his unique experiences living in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. From overseeing the gardens to managing dramatic events like major floods and vandalism of iconic statues, Ian recounts life in the Curator's Cottage, balancing work, family, and community responsibilities during his career with the City of Ballarat.

    26 min
  3. 52: Hiroshima POW Camp #9-B (Part 3)

    08/19/2024

    52: Hiroshima POW Camp #9-B (Part 3)

    Today, we conclude the powerful story of Charles Edwards, a World War II soldier captured at Parit Sulong in Malaysia. In this episode, we follow his journey to Japan, where he was taken to the Ohama prison camp (Hiroshima POW Camp #9-B) which was operating as a coal mine outside Hiroshima. Still in captivity, Charles witnessed the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima—a moment that forever changed the course of history and his life.

    22 min

  4. 04/19/2024

    51: Hellfire Pass (Part 2)

    Part 2: Initially imprisoned in Pudu Jail, the remaining members of the 2/19th Battalion were allocated to external work parties. Charles Edwards found himself with the largest of these groups and was sent to work on the Burma-Thailand railway at Hellfire Pass.

    33 min
  5. 50: The fall of Singapore (Part 1)

    02/20/2024

    50: The fall of Singapore (Part 1)

    Charles Edwards was a Prisoner of War in World War 2 spending a total of 1301 days in captivity. His bloody yet compelling story is one of extreme courage, sacrifice and a lot of luck.

    29 min
  6. 49: Black Hill Rescue

    01/20/2024

    49: Black Hill Rescue

    In 1998, twenty hours into an abduction case involving a 16-year-old girl, Sergeant Peter Anderson was alone, crawling through a 100 year-old mineshaft with a dodgy torch. As he moved ahead through the damp tunnel, he came across a roll of black tape, a shovel and a large roll of plastic. He now feared the worst possible outcome.

    35 min
  7. 48: When We Had Trams

    12/19/2023

    48: When We Had Trams

    Andrew Wallace has spent the last 20 years as a dedicated pathways co-ordinator helping students think about their future; but Andrew is also deeply passionate about the past. Serving as a current member and former president of the Ballarat Historical Society, the group actively contributes to preserving and archiving local historical facts, reflecting their commitment to the community’s heritage.

    26 min
  8. 47: The Seagull That Soared

    11/20/2023

    47: The Seagull That Soared

    David O’Neill’s Journey, is one woven with words. Crafting rhymes at the age of 15, he turned that skill into a thriving career in journalism and communication. Now Dave is pursuing his dream of becoming a published author. He sat down and chatted with us about his first book "The Seagull that soared".

    27 min
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    About

    Everyone has stories. These are the stories within 20 square blocks of where I live.

    Information

    • Creator
      Ben Plazzer
    • Years Active
      2019 - 2025
    • Episodes
      54
    • Rating
      Explicit
    • Copyright
      © 2025 20 Square Blocks
    • Show Website
      20 Square Blocks

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