Stories of Community Resilience

Rebecca Maakasa
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Stories of Community Resilience is a podcast anthology series sharing interviews of Culturally & Linguistically (CALD) diverse people and communities in Naarm/Melbourne. The project aims to build the capacity of CALD producers of all experience levels. The series is produced by volunteer media makers across 3MDR in Mount Dandenong, and other community broadcasters.  Supported by the Community Broadcasting Foundation, volunteers are encouraged to get involved in this project by sharing a story, or helping to tell others.

  1. Nov 2

    Palestine Cultural Festival & Jafra Dabke - Amin Abbas

    Director at Jafra Dabke & President of Palestine Cultural Festival, Amin Abbas joins Rebecca on Stories of Community Resilience. The origins of Dabke folk dancing, trace back to the levant region originally as a group dance performed on land.  Still performed at many celebratory occasions across the world and with varying styles across countries, you can expect to see (and participate) in Dabke at the Palestine Cultural Festival on November 7th 2026 at Federation Square, Melbourne. For the full event line up including artists and stall holders, visit palestineculturalfestival.org.au  Note - audio transcriptions provided on streaming services are automatically generated and may contain errors. This podcast project is supported by 3MDR and, a Content Grant from Community Broadcasting Foundation. Music Arabic Pray by Anthony Vega used under creative commons licensing. Photo Credit @jeriahlau See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Palestine Cultural Festival & Jafra Dabke - Amin Abbas

  2. Feb 10

    Music & Resilience - Ahmad Atwawneh AKA DJ Matab

    With a contagious and distinctive laughter, Ahmad has been illuminating the air waves of Melbourne, with Arab beats, deep cuts, and music that samples familiar beats in new ways! These beats have reached around the world - with collaborations like Radio Al-Hara based in Bethlehem, Palestine. Joining us today for Stories of Community Resilience is Ahmad in the studio !  Follow Ahmad @djmatab and Listen to radio Dounya show here  Rebecca's latest projects are on Linkedin  0:00 - 9:00 - Music memories across life, working at Radio Jordan.  9:00 - 12:00 - Dounya Radio Program, how we fill in the cultural expression gaps. 12:00 - 15:00 - Radio as a means of self-expression. 15:00 - 20:00  - Collaborating with Radio Al-Hara in Bethlehem, Palestine.  21:00 -   31:50  - Radio connecting is in real life, community music events.  32:00 - 38:00 -  Why we feel it is important to include Palestinian voices and artists, returning to our 'roots'.  38:00 - End - Proud moments, upcoming events. Note - audio transcriptions provided on streaming services are automatically generated and may contain errors. Stories of Community Resilience is supported by a Content Grant from Community Broadcasting Foundation. Purple Planet Music - Track ‘Sunbeam’ Used under creative commons license. Arabic Melody Dance - Melodies of the Orient and  Voice of the East by TimTaj is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0. Recorded at SYN Media studios in Narrm, Melbourne February 2026.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Music & Resilience - Ahmad Atwawneh AKA DJ Matab

  3. 12/15/2025

    The Salt Choir - Veronica Greene

    Amy Wooller and Veronica Greene from SYN  discuss a choir that is inclusive and welcoming. The Salt Choir is aiming to be an all-disability choir and a way for people with disabilities or equivalent to experience music. Information about upcoming sessions can found @the_salt_foundation contact Choir Master veronica@thesaltfoundation.org.au to get in touch.  Interviewer Amy's links can be found here.  Note - audio transcriptions provided on streaming services are automatically generated and may contain errors. Stories of Community Resilience is supported by a Content Grant from Community Broadcasting Foundation. Purple Planet Music - Track ‘Sunbeam’ Used under creative commons license. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Salt Choir - Veronica Greene

  4. 11/10/2025

    Pursuing an Acting Career and Living with Disability - Ethan Symon

    SYN media maker Darcy, interviews Ethan Symon. Ethan is a young disabled person who has been an aspiring actor for some time now he is is most well known for his work as a participant at Bus Stop Films, an all abilities filmmaking program. Ethan has starred in two films most notably - Ratbag (2023). Ethan and Darcy the challenges of being a young disabled person trying to get into the film industry. Note - audio transcriptions provided on streaming services are automatically generated and may contain errors.  Stories of Community Resilience is produced by SYN Media and is supported by a Content Grant from Community Broadcasting Foundation. Purple Planet Music - Track ‘Sunbeam’ Used under creative commons license. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Pursuing an Acting Career and Living with Disability - Ethan Symon

  5. 10/27/2025

    Public Speaking About Mental Health: Hadeel Alshuraymi

    Hadeel wears many hats - motivational speaker, coach, advocate and Mum are some of her many roles. Today Hadeel speaks about her role as a speaker and advocate - bringing attention to mental health and breaking down stigmas in the community.   Follow Hadeel: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn  Interview by Rebecca Maakasa, follow Rebecca on LinkedIn.  Content Warning: There is discussion of mental health and depression in the context of seeking mental health support. If this episode raises any concerns for you, reach out to a support hotline such as Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia.  Stories of Community Resilience is produced by SYN Media and is supported by a Content Grant from Community Broadcasting Foundation. Purple Planet Music - Track ‘Sunbeam’ Used under creative commons license. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Public Speaking About Mental Health: Hadeel Alshuraymi

  6. 10/20/2025

    Spoken Word Poetry: Awale Ahmed

    Awale is a multilingual storyteller born in Somalia and raised in Saudi Arabia after having to leave Somalia due to the Civil War. Well known for his spoken word poetry, Awale has performed on stages all over the world. Awale also has a strong passion for advocating for the rights of refugees, and social justice. Awale is interviewed by SYN volunteer Amira Mahmoud who is an emerging media maker. They discuss his personal journey, how Awale started writing, his involvement in refugee and migrant communities and childhood memories. Stay tuned at the end of the episode for a moving poetry reading in Arabic and English, as a dedication to Gaza. Content Warning - Confronting discussion of death in the context of war. A translation for Awale's poem in Arabic about Hargeisa: "You are the princess of my dreams ... Oo no .. you are the bride of my fantasyHere I am sailing towards you... while I am lost in my imaginationI am captured by the army of your love … and My foreignness deepened my woundsI crossed the sea carried by...the ship of longing and loveI have lost my words.. My poems...can you listen to my excuses? Can you forgive me?Here are some of my melodies… and some of my love formed as versesSoon soon I will come…and I will jump of joy between your alleysHargeisa you are my history ... and you are my most beautiful storiesIn you I have witnessed the light in my beginnings .. and surely I will witness my end". Awale's Links: مدونة عواليات |  Instagram | Surviving the Somali Civil War - Barefaced Stories Performance Connect with Amira on LinkedIn. Note - audio transcriptions provided on streaming services are automatically generated and may contain errors. Stories of Community Resilience is produced by SYN Media and is supported by a Content Grant from Community Broadcasting Foundation. Purple Planet Music - Track ‘Sunbeam’ Used under creative commons license. 'Alf Leila wa Leila / A Thousand and One Nights' Performed by Umm Kulthum (1969) - أم كلثوم licenced in the free public domain.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Spoken Word Poetry: Awale Ahmed

  7. Trailer

    Stories of Community Resilience - Trailer

    Stories of Community Resilience podcast is produced at youth broadcaster 3MDR (from 2026), by emerging media makers. Supported by a project coordinator, the series highlights topics and issues impacting Culturally & Linguistically Diverse communities and celebrates the achievements of culturally diverse people. The program has previously been hosted at fellow community broadcasters 3ZZZ and SYN.  To share your story, or if you are a 3MDR volunteer that would like to produce an episode - email Rebecca at  SOCR.podcast@gmail.com to get involved.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Stories of Community Resilience - Trailer

  8. 10/21/2024

    Navigating Expression of Culture From The Other Side of The World: Maggie Zhou - Content Creator & Speaker MC

    Louis Harrison chats with Maggie Zhou about her experience connecting with culture from the other side of the world, the way she communicates with others and her experience developing resilience despite microaggressions and prejudice in society. Maggie Zhou wears many hats. She’s a writer, editor, podcaster, content creator, speaker, emcee... and more that we couldn’t possibly fit into a list here. The topics Maggie Zhou covers in her work range from sustainability, internet and pop culture to fashion. You might have read her pieces in some of the country’s top culture publications, perhaps you follow her for (slow) fashion tips or maybe this is the first time her name has come across your orbit.  Maggie Zhou has a unique and authentic presence you’ve got to keep an eye on. Transcript available here. Follow Maggie on Instagram Follow Louis on Instagram Note - audio transcriptions provided on streaming services are automatically generated and may contain errors. Intro and outro music by Gregor Quendel under a Creative Commons Attribution licence Stories of Community Resilience is proudly supported by the Community Broadcasting Foundation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Navigating Expression of Culture From The Other Side of The World: Maggie Zhou - Content Creator & Speaker MC
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Trailer

About

Stories of Community Resilience is a podcast anthology series sharing interviews of Culturally & Linguistically (CALD) diverse people and communities in Naarm/Melbourne. The project aims to build the capacity of CALD producers of all experience levels. The series is produced by volunteer media makers across 3MDR in Mount Dandenong, and other community broadcasters.  Supported by the Community Broadcasting Foundation, volunteers are encouraged to get involved in this project by sharing a story, or helping to tell others.

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