Australian Highlights

Rachel Rayner

The Australian Highlights series is the place where we find the innovative people and ideas which are not – yet! – common knowledge.  Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer, this series takes the form of regular podcast episodes and online articles where we explore the captivating stories behind Australia's groundbreaking creative moments. With a focus on game-changing women and Indigenous trailblazers, this collection of interviews, explainers and articles shines a light on the ingenuity and diversity that propel Australia forward. We’ll hear from people themselves doing amazing work; industry leaders that have been inspired by innovators from our past; and those who are enabling people to step forward and be spotlighted themselves. It's a lot of fun, as we've got comedians hearing these amazing stories for the first time!  There will bonus episodes of snippets and stories that didn't make it into the full interviews and there will be regular catch-ups where you can hear a rapporteur account of previous episodes. So come join us. Head to our website for more information, australianhighlights.com.au, follow us on our socials, or send us an email if you know someone who should be highlighted on this show: news@australianhighlights.com.au The production of this series is funding by the Meta Australian Journalism Fund, administered by The Walkley Foundation, and is supported by Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. OCT 22

    Indigenous Innovation

    Innovation in Australia has been happening for tens of thousands of years. Professor Lynette Russell is the co-author of Innovation: Knowledge and Ingenuity, which is part of the First Knowledges series. In conversation with comedian Luke Morris and host Rachel Rayner, we explore the rich history and innovations of Indigenous Australians, particularly in the areas of language, trade, land management, and technology. We discuss how Western historical narratives have often overlooked or dismissed the sophistication and ingenuity of Indigenous societies, and how recent research is finally bringing this all to light. Lynette shares her story of becoming an anthropological historian rather than an archaeologist, and her current line of research into trade relations between Australia and Indonesia thousands of years ago, while Luke spends much of the episode aghast at how little he knew of all this. Transcript Links for more: Get the book, or get the whole series Find out more on Lynette Follow Luke and Comedy Victoria Credits Producer: Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer Guests: Professor Lynette Russell AM, Luke Morris Music: Michelle Cashman Editing: Graham Hunter Made possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min

  2. SEP 16

    Ethel Anderson, art patron

    Not all innovations are gears and coding. Some are a cultural awareness and, always, an ability to use what you have to improve the situation. Between the Wars, Ethel Anderson was bringing visibility to a new art movement that was being overlooked by those in charge of the nation's galleries and newspapers. She supported artists to ensure that Australia had a Modern voice that would endure. Artists like Grace Cossington-Smith, who has the crown of producing Australia's first post-impressionist painting (The Sock Knitter, 1915), were producing a new visual identity for what was happening in Australia. Ethel new this new work was important. She made sure these artists had space and visibility to take the place of the heralded (and dated) pastoral landscapes of "the Australian frontier". Dr Victoria Souliman is an art historian at the University of Sydney. Her research focuses on issues of national identity, expatriatism, and women’s agency in the artistic exchanges between Australia, France, and Britain in the early 20th century. She introduces star of the modernist movement in Australia, Ethel Anderson, to comedian Tori Crisp, who has purposefully avoided the history of art all her life. We also get to learn how much Rachel hates the work of Paul Gauguin, and how easily she can offend those in the field. Visit the website for pictures of the paintings mentioned in this episode. Transcript Credits Producer: Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer Guests: Victoria Souliman, Tori Crisp Music: Michelle Cashman Editing: Harry Hughes Made possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min

  3. AUG 27

    LIVE: Heather Bray, science communicator

    What does it mean to communicate and, more specifically, what does it mean to communicate science? And then, how can we learn to be better science communicators? Who is helping us understand the big science topics, and what did they do to get there? A niche field of research and career pathway is having its moment as our connected and complex world requires more and more people to accurately communicate the science underpinning it all. Recording live at SciTech in Perth, Western Australia, as part of FRINGE WORLD, hear from head of science communication studies at the University of Western Australia, Dr Heather Bray as she outlines the importance of dedicated science communicators and Australia’s innovative role. Australia had a huge role to play in developing and supporting the growth of science communication as a profession. A part of policy, education, media and pandemics, science communicators are helping everyone navigate the world and make the big decisions. So how did Australia come to be involved in developing a professional discipline, and how is it continuing to lead the world in untangling the big issues for all audiences? Comedian Nicky Wilkinson discovers more about this totally meta field and where science and comedy can work learn from each other. Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer, who sounds more nervous than usual. Transcript Credits Producer: Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer Guests: Heather Bray, Nicky Wilkinson Venue: SciTech, Perth Tech: Melody Rachel, Luke Morris Music: Michelle Cashman Editing: Graham Hunt Made possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min

  4. JUN 17 · BONUS

    Bonus: More spiders

    Nearly all of us have a close-encounter story or two. With spiders, that is. In our previous episode, we spoke to arachnologist Caitlin Creak about her work with funnel web spiders. What also came about were our personal interactions with the creatures that live in and around our homes. Collected here are our recollections and questions on what to do with the spiders amongst us, with a bit extra on the behind-the-scenes of Caitlin's research. And we finally get to hear what springs to mind when actor Nicholas Richard hears the phrase, "old-world spider" Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer. Transcript Credits Producer: Rachel Rayner Guests: Caitlin Creak, Nicholas Richard Music: Michelle Cashman Editing: Dianne Weller Made possible through Meta Australia Public Interest Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    12 min

  5. JUN 14

    Caitlin Creak, arachnologist

    How much do we know about the world’s deadliest spider, which lives only in Australia’s largest city? Turns out, not much! The Sydney funnel web, Atrax Robustus, has a venom only toxic to primates. While their venom has been studied in depth, resulting in an antivenom, little is known about their life and habits. Arachnologist Caitlin Creak studies the Sydney funnel web spider unlike anyone else before – in the wild. This dangerous, cold and wet field work has never dampened her love for these spiders and her quest to know more about them. Hear actor behind Hoot from Giggle and Hoot, Nicholas Richard, grapple with his respect and fear of our eight-legged neighbours. Will he come to love the creature we’ve been taught to avoid? Transcript Links for more The Australian Museum page on funnel webs The Australian Reptile Park page on handling funnel webs for the antivenom program Caitlin’s website for more spider insights Follow Nick on Instagram Credits Producer: Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer Guests: Caitlin Creak, Nicholas Richard Music: Michelle Cashman Editor: Dianne Weller Made possible through Meta Australia Public Interest Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min

  6. MAY 25

    Catch up

    Why do we not know this? Why is this not in the mainstream? This is a catch up that generates more questions than answers. As we unfold insights from each episode in our latest flash, there are a few tangential revelations: Rachel drops a koala-related bombshell; Kirsty learns about Australia’s feral cat problem; and Rachel wants everyone to know about the true Australian highlight, the numbat.  Overall, Kirsty is astounded at how much from our previous episodes are not common knowledge. How many of our topics and tangents were you aware of? See our episode writeups on the website: australianhighlights.com.au Transcript Credits: Producer: Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer Guest: Kirsty Kapp Music: Michelle Cashman Editing: Graham Hunter Made possible through Meta Australia Public Interest Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min

  7. MAY 10 · BONUS

    Bonus: Capturing creative ideas

    A great discussion on writing practice came out of our science poetry episode with poet Tricia Dearborn and comedian Jeeves Verma. While it did not make the final episode, the discussion has been saved here in a special bonus episode, perfect for those of us wanting practical insight for writing something wonderful - whether it be a poem or a comedy set. Tricia and Jeeves exchange writing tips and tricks: how they deal with the things that get in the way and how they capture their creative ideas. Some are less conventional than you would expect. Transcript Links for more: Highlight article from the full episode, Ep 15: Tricia Dearborn Tricia's book, Autobiochemistry A selection of her poetry Follow Jeeves on Instagram Credits Producer: Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer Guests: Tricia Dearborn and Jeeves Verma Music: Michelle Cashman Editing: Graham Hunter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    14 min

  8. MAY 8

    Tricia Dearborn, poet

    Can science really be the perfect inspiration for poetry? Tricia is one of many poets around the world embedding science into their writing. The award-winning writer and editor lives in a world where there is no divide between the artistic and the scientific. She has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Honours in Biochemistry, and a Masters in Women’s and Gender Studies, specialising in literature. After spending some time as a biochemist, she realised that words were her preferred medium for experimentation. Tricia wrote her first poem at seven, and hasn’t stopped. She is a founding member of Plumwood Mountain, the ecopoetry journal and was the first Australian poet to be invited to the international Poetry on the Move festival.   Comedian Jeeves Verma begins by aligning poetry with onions: can he be inspired to consider science poetry an exciting genre of creativity? Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer. Transcript Links for more Highlight article by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer Tricia's book, Autobiochemistry A selection of her poetry Follow Jeeves on Instagram Credits Producer: Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer Guests: Tricia Dearborn and Jeeves Verma Music: Michelle Cashman Editing: Graham Hunter Made possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min
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Trailer

About

The Australian Highlights series is the place where we find the innovative people and ideas which are not – yet! – common knowledge.  Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer, this series takes the form of regular podcast episodes and online articles where we explore the captivating stories behind Australia's groundbreaking creative moments. With a focus on game-changing women and Indigenous trailblazers, this collection of interviews, explainers and articles shines a light on the ingenuity and diversity that propel Australia forward. We’ll hear from people themselves doing amazing work; industry leaders that have been inspired by innovators from our past; and those who are enabling people to step forward and be spotlighted themselves. It's a lot of fun, as we've got comedians hearing these amazing stories for the first time!  There will bonus episodes of snippets and stories that didn't make it into the full interviews and there will be regular catch-ups where you can hear a rapporteur account of previous episodes. So come join us. Head to our website for more information, australianhighlights.com.au, follow us on our socials, or send us an email if you know someone who should be highlighted on this show: news@australianhighlights.com.au The production of this series is funding by the Meta Australian Journalism Fund, administered by The Walkley Foundation, and is supported by Comedy Victoria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Rachel Rayner
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Rachel Rayner
  • Show Website
    Australian Highlights