Rights, Rorts and Rants

Blue Mountains Unions & Community
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Selected content from Rights, Rorts and Rants broadcast weekly on Friday from 4pm to 6pm on community Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM or live streamed from rbm.org.au/. Hosted by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc). Views expressed on our show and in our podcasts are not necessarily endorsed by BMUC.

  1. Saving The Dwarf Mountain Pine

    Jun 16

    Saving The Dwarf Mountain Pine

    The only place in the world that the dwarf mountain pine (pherosphaera fitzgeraldii) is found is in the Upper Blue Mountains of NSW. Unfortunately, it is listed as critically endangered which is only one step away from extinction. Presenter Nick Franklin interviewed Liam Ramage, the Threatened Species Officer for the Blue Mountains Conservation Society, about the dwarf mountain pine for Rights, Rorts and Rants 29 May '26 show. Liam described the small pine and how it is threatened by development and water run off and what we can do to save it from extinction. The interview was first broadcast on Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 29 May 2026 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (BMUC) and presented by Nick Franklin & Peter Lammiman.  If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to be a guest on our radio show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Fridays from 4pm to 6pm or livestreamed via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rbm.org.au.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BMUC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded. Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW. Disclaimer: Rights, Rorts and Rants explores a range of issues from different perspectives. The views expressed on the show and podcast are not necessarily endorsed by Blue Mountains & Community.

    13 min

  2. Jun 16

    The Paragon Cafe, Katoomba

    Once a wonderful establishment and one of the best examples of Greek cafes in Australia the Paragon Cafe in Katoomba is boarded up and deteriorating and has been for the past 8 years. Presenter Nick Franklin spoke to Friends of the Paragon President Rob Strange for Rights, Rorts and Rants 29 May 26 show in a quiet corner of the Carrington Hotel about the current condition and status of the Paragon. Rob Strange is a Paragon Cafe authority and advocate. The radio show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 29 May 2026 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (BMUC) and presented by Nick Franklin & Peter Lammiman.  If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to be a guest on our radio show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Fridays from 4pm to 6pm or livestreamed via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rbm.org.au.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BMUC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded. Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW. Disclaimer: Rights, Rorts and Rants explores a range of issues from different perspectives. The views expressed on the show and podcast are not necessarily endorsed by Blue Mountains & Community.

    10 min
  3. 5.18 Gwangju Uprising for Democracy in 1980

    Jun 14

    5.18 Gwangju Uprising for Democracy in 1980

    CONTENT WARNING - features discussion of political violence and oppression. In December 2024 South Koreans in Seoul prevented the imposition of martial law and dictatorship. In a world where the right to vote is often taken for granted or even disparaged, why were South Koreans so passionate– even risking their lives in defence of their democracy? The answer lies in history and in living memory, we explore the events leading up to the prodemocracy uprising in Gwangju from 18th May 1980. Many thanks to Lim Gil Taek from the 5.18 National Cemetery and the Jeonil Building 245 for his assistance and participation in this episode. Featuring Lim Gil Taek and Debra Smith.

    1h 19m

  4. Jun 8

    Lock The Gate Alliance

    On Rights, Rorts and Rants Terry Morgan talks about the Lock The Gate Alliance in conversation with Presenter Merran Maclaren. He outlines its background and past and present campaigns. For information on getting involved in current campaigns contact Jo Lynch jo@lockthegate.org or Terry Morgan djarrak@gmail.com Two tracks by Ray Dinakarri Dixon are also played during the show: The Fracking Song and Mudburra Man. Terry provides a translation and meaning behind the songs and Ray Dinakarri Dixon, the person. The radio show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains Katoomba 89.1 FM on 29 May 2026 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (BMUC). If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to be a guest on our radio show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Fridays from 4pm to 6pm or livestreamed via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rbm.org.au.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We are Union. Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BMUC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded. Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW. Disclaimer: Rights, Rorts and Rants explores a range of issues from different perspectives. The views expressed on the show and podcast are not necessarily endorsed by Blue Mountains & Community.

    51 min

  5. May 22

    Muriel "Tibbi" Whalan and the Katoomba Reds

    Rights, Rorts and Rants Presenter Merran Maclaren uncovers Jim Angel's memories of community activist Muriel "Tibbi" (also known by Tibby) Whalan. Tibbi Whalan's campaigning included "Save our site", which is the site of the Tibbi Whalan Hall and Community Centre, free lunches for primary school children, creating the new Katoomba High School, Library and Senior Citizens Club.. which lead to the Tibbi Whalan Community Hall being named in her honour by Blue Mountains Council in 2020. Jim's interview also covers interesting background about her partner Peter Carroll, whom Peter Carroll Oval was named after, and stories of the Katoomba Communist Party known as the Katoomba Reds. The radio show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 15th May 2026 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (BMUC) and presented by Merran Maclaren If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to be a guest on our radio show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Fridays from 4pm to 6pm or livestreamed via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rbm.org.au.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BMUC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded. Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW. Disclaimer: Rights, Rorts and Rants explores a range of issues from different perspectives. The views expressed on the show and podcast are not necessarily endorsed by Blue Mountains & Community.

    18 min

  6. May 13

    Trish Doyle MP: Member for Blue Mountains interview May 2026

    The Member for the Blue Mountains Trish Doyle MP spoke to listeners from Radio Blue Mountains Katoomba studio on the Rights Rorts and Rants show on 8th May 26. Note: The first 1min 50 seconds have a track playing under the interview which was not able to be erased. We apologise for this section of poor sound quality. In a long interview Trish provided our listeners with updates on major issues of current concern to residents in the Blue Mountains electorate and visitors alike. Topic discussed included the current closure of the Great Western Highway on Victoria Pass, the proposed Narrowneck housing development, affordable housing in the Blue Mountains, the lack of progress on Katoomba's Paragon Cafe restoration and workplace psychological injuries. The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains at 89.1 FM on 8 May 2026 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (BMUC) presented by Nick Franklin, Peter Lammiman and Wil Tricity. The podcast was produced by Ann-Maree McEwan.  If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to be a guest on our radio show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Fridays from 4pm to 6pm or livestreamed via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rbm.org.au.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BMUC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded. Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW. Disclaimer: Rights, Rorts and Rants explores a range of issues from different perspectives. The views expressed on the show and podcast are not necessarily endorsed by Blue Mountains & Community.

    46 min

  7. Apr 2

    Western Sydney Airport Curfew Campaign

    This podcast follows up on a November 2025 interview with Erst Carmichael from Blue Mountains Demands an Airport Curfew or BMDAC on Rights, Rorts and Rants. Erst updates listeners on the latest correspondence with BMDAC regarding noise monitors for the Mountains to monitor aircraft noise, the impacts of aircraft noise humans animals and plants in the unique Blue Mountains context and more ahead of the opening of the WSI in July2026 for cargo. She fears residents are not fully aware of the impact from aircraft noise when the airport operates for passengers in October this year and in the years to come. Presenter Merran Maclaren wraps up with her thoughts on the constant environmental issues which residents of the Blue Mountains need to attack. The radio show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on March 20 2026 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (BMUC) and presented by Merran Maclaren.  If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to be a guest on our radio show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Fridays from 4pm to 6pm or livestreamed via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rbm.org.au.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BMUC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded. Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW. Disclaimer: Rights, Rorts and Rants explores a range of issues from different perspectives. The views expressed on the show and podcast are not necessarily endorsed by Blue Mountains & Community.

    33 min

  8. Mar 14

    Campaign against fast track development at Narrow Neck Rd, Katoomba - Part 2

    Deadline looming and fast action required! On 6 March 26 Tania De Bortoli from the Blue Mountains Conservation Society (bluemountains.org.au) spoke again with Rights, Rorts and Rants on 89.1FM with an update on the "Blue Mountains - not just a suburb of Sydney" campaign to stop the proposed oversized Narrow Neck development. Blue Mountains Conservation Society have recently run community meetings. The information from the meetings is being used to update info sheets on the Conservation Society's website essential guides for anyone intending to provide a submission when the proposal's Environment Impact Statement (EIS) is placed on public exhibition. Tania explained that the EIS is expected to be made public within the month of March and submissions must be lodged within 14 days thereafter. The deadline is short and community must be ready to submit their objections promptly. Lots of information is available on the Conservation Society's website bluemountains.org.au The show was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM on 6 March 2026 by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (BMUC) and presented by Rights, Rorts and Rants.  If you'd like to add to the discussion, you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leave an audio comment about our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which may be added to one of our podcasts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to be a guest on our radio show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Rights, Rorts and Rants on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Fridays from 4pm to 6pm or livestreamed via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rbm.org.au.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join a union - 1300 486 466 or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠join online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BMUC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Blue Mountains Unions & Community pays its respect to and acknowledges, the Darug and Gundungurra First Peoples of the Blue Mountains area and acknowledges this is Aboriginal Land that was never ceded. Authorised by D Smith, Secretary, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, 52-52A Great Western Hwy, Mount Victoria, NSW. Disclaimer: Rights, Rorts and Rants explores a range of issues from different perspectives. The views expressed on the show and podcast are not necessarily endorsed by Blue Mountains & Community.

    13 min
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About

Selected content from Rights, Rorts and Rants broadcast weekly on Friday from 4pm to 6pm on community Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM or live streamed from rbm.org.au/. Hosted by Blue Mountains Unions & Community (Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc). Views expressed on our show and in our podcasts are not necessarily endorsed by BMUC.

Information

  • Creator
    Blue Mountains Unions & Community
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    260
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Blue Mountains Unions & Community

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