From The Embers

Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
  • 5.0 (2)
  • DOCUMENTARY
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

In 2020, the first series of From the Embers premiered, focusing on communities across Australia who had faced fire and smoke and homes destroyed in what was one of the most difficult summers has ever seen, the 2019-20 bushfire season. In 2022, From the Embers 2: Phoenix returns to several places featured in the first series, including Mallacoota, Kangaroo Island, and the forests of the Far north of New South Wales to explore how communities are recovering from the fires and the issues that stem from trauma and isolation, coupled with the strength gained when so much is lost. This series will also visit new communities who are recovering from floods and seemingly never ending COVID lockdowns. Created in partnership with community radio stations, and the generous support of the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas, Paul Ramsay Foundation, The Minderoo Foundation Fire and Flood Resilience Initiative, and the Monash University's Fire To Flourish program.

  1. MAR 20

    A Change in the Landscape

    Four Emergency level bushfires burned over one weekend in Western Australia in February 2022. With roughly 30% of WA agricultural land, most farmers are prepared for fire at any time. But when one comes, they rely heavily on volunteer farmers and locals who form the Bush Fire Brigade. On February 6, 2022 near the small farming town of Narrogin, extreme wind and heat, coupled with a powerline spark in a dry pasture paddock, resulted in a massive fire. Only one house was lost but the impact on livestock and farmland will affect farmers years into the future.  Content warning this feature contains stories of animals in distress Guests:Angus ArmstrongMike BurgesTammy FreestoneMichael Lange Credits:Producer: Leith AlexanderExecutive producer and sound design: Sarah MashmanEngineering: Tegan NichollsTheme music: Oliver BeardAdditional music: Blue Dot SessionsManagement team: Abe Killian and Sime Knecevic This episode was made on the Wiilman and Wadjuk Countries of the Nyoongar Nation and the lands of the muwinina people from Country around nipaluna. These lands were never ceded. From the Embers Season 2: Phoenix is supported by The Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas, The Paul Ramsay Foundation, Monash University’s Fire to Flourish program and The Minderoo Foundation Fire and Flood Resilience Initiative – and broadcast across Australia via the Community Radio Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min

  2. MAR 20

    Rising Rivers

    Day after day of intense rainfall fell across south east Queensland In February 2022, breaking riverbanks, swamping roads and flooding homes. The city of Brisbane experienced one of the worst floods on record. In three days alone, Brisbane received 80 per cent of its annual rainfall as people scrambled to find higher ground to shelter. As people recover and start to rebuild, questions are being raised over where to live and how to prepare for the future. Guests:Milena CifaliRichard HavernikCarolyn KarafaCouncillor Johnathon Sri Credits:Producer: Maureen MopioExecutive producer and sound design: Sarah MashmanEngineering: Tegan NichollsTheme music: Oliver BeardAdditional music: Blue Dot SessionsManagement team: Abe Killian and Sime Knecevic This episode was made on the lands of the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and the land of the muwinina people from Country around nipaluna. These lands were never ceded. From the Embers Season 2: Phoenix is supported by The Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas, The Paul Ramsay Foundation, Monash University’s Fire to Flourish program and The Minderoo Foundation Fire and Flood Resilience Initiative – and broadcast across Australia via the Community Radio Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min

  3. MAR 20

    Roofs above Water

    Ever increasing record high flood levels are marked on the side of Lismore’s flood levee. Lismore, a town in Northern New South Wales is dissected by two major rivers. When there’s heavy rainfall, water flows down from the surrounding hills, slowing at the bottom and spreading across the floodplain. The town’s residents know floods, their houses are built high, some four metres off the ground in the canopies of trees. Many have flood plans, keeping kayaks and dinghies tethered to their homes in case of emergency. On February 27 2022, water inundated the town, sweeping away cars, stranding residents on rooftops and filling houses with inches of mud. In the weeks that followed volunteer hubs sprang up to feed and clothe locals forced to shelter in tents and cars as they struggle to recover with minimal support and start to clean out and rebuild their homes in the trees. Guests:Vicki FindlayNaomi MoranAidan RickettsLucy WiseFreya Woodland Production team:Producer and sound design: Sarah MashmanEngineer: Tegan NicholsTheme composer: Oliver BeardAdditional music by Blue Dot SessionsManagement team: Abe Killian and Sime Knezevic Roofs above water was made on Widjabul Wia-bal Country of the Bundjalung Nation and the lands of the muwinina people from Country around nipaluna. These lands were never ceded. From the Embers Season 2: Phoenix is supported by The Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas, The Paul Ramsay Foundation, Monash University’s Fire to Flourish program and The Minderoo Foundation Fire and Flood Resilience Initiative and broadcast across Australia via the Community Radio Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min

  4. MAR 20

    Right Fire Wrong Fire

    One and a half million hectares of Yuin Country was destroyed by the 2019/2020 mega fires in the South Coast of New South Wales. These fires killed countless animals, plants and insect species - some of which are now on the brink of extinction. Many members of the South Coast Yuin Community call these mega fires, ‘Wrong Fire,’ fires that can’t be controlled and have the capacity to injure and kill. This type of fire is vastly different to Right Fire, often called Cultural Burning. Right Fire has been practised for thousands of years and has the capacity to heal and care for all. Content warning this feature contains stories from the 2019/2020 Fires. Guests: Andrew WhiteUncle NookVikki Parsley Credits:Producer: Alice AnsaraExecutive producer and sound design: Sarah MashmanEngineer: Tegan NichollsTheme music by Oliver BeardAdditional music by Blue Dot SessionsMinga-Yung - Your Mother by Jordan NyeManagement team: Abe Killian and Sime Knecevic This podcast was made on the lands of the Walbunga and the Yuin Nation and the lands of the muwinina people from Country around nipaluna. These lands were never ceded. From the Embers Season 2: Phoenix is supported by The Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas, The Paul Ramsay Foundation, Monash University’s Fire to Flourish program and The Minderoo Foundation Fire and Flood Resilience Initiative and broadcast across Australia via the Community Radio Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min

  5. MAR 20

    Disappearing Swiftly

    The fires that tore through the South Coast of New South Wales in 2019/2020 hit towns on the coast and in the bush. Within the community, homes were lost, some experienced events that left them traumatised and all inhabited a devastated landscape. Animal habitats were also affected and when both logging companies and urban developers began to encroach on the habitat of the critically endangered Swift Parrot, locals from the South Coast began to stand up and take action to save the home that this small bird needs in order to survive.  Content warning: this feature contains stories from the 2019/2020 Fires. Guests:Bill EgerNick HopkinsJordan NyeDr. Debbie Saunders Credits:Producer: Alice AnsaraExecutive producer and sound design: Sarah MashmanEngineer: Tegan NichollsTheme music by Oliver BeardAdditional music by Blue Dot SessionsManagement team: Abe Killian and Sime Knecevic This episode was made on the lands of the Walbunga and the Budawang people of the Yuin Nation and the lands of the muwinina people from Country around nipaluna. These lands were never ceded From the Embers Season 2: Phoenix is supported by The Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas, The Paul Ramsay Foundation, Monash University’s Fire to Flourish program and The Minderoo Foundation Fire and Flood Resilience Initiative and broadcast across Australia via the Community Radio Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min

  6. MAR 20

    Framing Disaster

    Two years on from the massive fire that tore through Mallacoota, a tiny coastal town in Victoria, the camping grounds are full again, koalas can be spotted in the crowns of eucalypts and the landscape is green with epicormic growth. But the town is dotted with empty lots where houses once stood and the new green growth only hides the blackened trunks. Photojournalist Rachel Mounsey documented the approach of the bushfire and the aftermath, focusing her camera on the people who lost their homes amidst the devastation.  Content warning this feature contains stories from the 2019/2020 Fires. Guests:Justin BradyBrodie CumminghamKate JacksonRachel MounseyJiya Rose Nation Credits:Producer and presenter: Sarah MashmanEngineer: Tegan NichollsTheme music by Oliver BeardAdditional music from Blue Dot SessionsProduction management team: Abe Killian and Sime Knezevic Framing Disaster was made on the lands of the Gunai Kurnai people and the muwinina people from Country around nipaluna. These lands were never ceded. From the Embers Season 2: Phoenix is supported by The Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas, The Paul Ramsay Foundation, Monash University’s Fire to Flourish program and The Minderoo Foundation Fire and Flood Resilience Initiative and broadcast across Australia via the Community Radio Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min

  7. MAR 20

    The House on the Hill

    Residents in Lobethal fled their properties for safety in December 2019, not knowing if they’d return and find their houses still standing. Adelaide’s Cudlee Creek fire filled the air with black smoke and destroyed 85 homes over 10 days. As the recovery rolled-out, the pandemic crept in - isolating people and leaving those who’d lost their homes feeling isolated and forgotten. Content warning this feature contains stories from the 2019/2020 Fires. Guests:Belinda BroughtonHana BroughtonEvan EdwardsNicole McIntosh Credits:Producer: Lisa BurnsExecutive producer and presenter: Sarah MashmanEngineer: Tegan NicholsTheme composer: Oliver BeardAdditional music by Blue Dot SessionsManagement: Abe Killian and Sime Knezevic The house on the Hill was made on the lands of the Kaurna people and the Peramangk people and the muwinina people from Country around nipaluna. These lands were never ceded. From the Embers Season 2: Phoenix is supported by The Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas, The Paul Ramsay Foundation, Monash University’s Fire to Flourish program and The Minderoo Foundation Fire and Flood Resilience Initiative and broadcast across Australia via the Community Radio Network”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min

  8. MAR 20

    When Lightning Strikes Twice

    Severe storms and fire are a part of life on Kangaroo Island. But the firestorms that blasted across the Island’s landscape in January 2022 were unlike anything ever seen before, and forbode of a changing climate. Two years on, birds and mammals are only just starting to return to fire-ravaged habitats, and a question looms over the community - what will come when the fire siren rings again? When Lightning Strikes Twice is made in Tribute to Sarah Strong- Law. Content warning this feature contains stories from the 2019/2020 Fires. Guests:Jayne BatesBrenton DavisSabrina DavisMargi PrideauxSarah Strong-LawAlice Teasdale Credits:Producer: Lisa BurnsExecutive producer and sound design: Sarah MashmanEngineer: Tegan NicholsTheme composer: Oliver BeardManagement: Abe Killian and Sime Knezevic This podcast was made on lands of significance to the Ngarrindjeri-Ramindjeri, Kaurna and Narungga peoples and the land of the muwinina people from Country around nipaluna. These lands were never ceded. From the Embers Season 2: Phoenix is supported by The Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas, The Paul Ramsay Foundation, Monash University’s Fire to Flourish program and The Minderoo Foundation Fire and Flood Resilience Initiative and broadcast across Australia via the Community Radio Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min
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Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

In 2020, the first series of From the Embers premiered, focusing on communities across Australia who had faced fire and smoke and homes destroyed in what was one of the most difficult summers has ever seen, the 2019-20 bushfire season. In 2022, From the Embers 2: Phoenix returns to several places featured in the first series, including Mallacoota, Kangaroo Island, and the forests of the Far north of New South Wales to explore how communities are recovering from the fires and the issues that stem from trauma and isolation, coupled with the strength gained when so much is lost. This series will also visit new communities who are recovering from floods and seemingly never ending COVID lockdowns. Created in partnership with community radio stations, and the generous support of the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas, Paul Ramsay Foundation, The Minderoo Foundation Fire and Flood Resilience Initiative, and the Monash University's Fire To Flourish program.

Information

  • Creator
    Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
  • Show Website
    From The Embers

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