Arts Incite is a podcast series brought to you by Ballarat Arts Alive. We talk to arts people about all things related to music, visual art, theatre, heritage, film, architecture, writing and more.
Garry Linnell (https://www.linkedin.com/in/garry-linnell-39a1b7b1/) is one of Australia's best and most respected journalists.
His career includes 4 years as Co-Presenter of The Breakfast Show, 2UE, Editorial Director for Fairfax Media, Director News & Current Affairs for Nine Network, and Editor in Chief of The Bulletin.
He received a Walkley Award for feature writing in 1998, has written widely for magazines and newspapers, and his work has appeared in several anthologies.
In this interview with Merle Hathaway he talks about two books about 19th century characters who roamed around this region - Buckley's Chance (https://northmelbournebooks.weebly.com/book-reviews/buckleys-chance-by-garry-linnell)and Moonlite. (https://artsreview.com.au/garry-linnell-moonlite/)
Other books by him include The Devil's Work (https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-devils-work-9781760145460), Raelene, Playing God: The Rise and fall of Gary Ablett (https://www.readings.com.au/product/9780732274498/playing-god-the-rise-fall-of-gary-ablett--garry-linnell--2004--9780732274498),
He also talks about his concerns for the effects of AI on creative writing and journalism.
14 Oct 2026
Michelle Thomas - Animalia Wildlife Shelter; People's Playhouse; Kids 4 Kids & more.
Michelle Thomas wears many hats in the arts, and is a leading expert in caring for wildlife, largely through Animalia Wildlife Shelter. (https://www.animaliawildlife.org.au)
In a fairly late night chat, I discovered she also was an enthusiastic founding member, director, set designer, costume-maker etc of People's Playhouse Inc (https://www.peoplesplayhouse.com)which incorporates Kids 4 Kids.
This is a community-based theatre company for people aged from 6 years upward. They produce 2 performances a year, and these are often premier performances.
She was in Buninyong to teach 'Respond to Wildlife Disaster' with a focus on care of koalas after disasters such as fires and other traumas. She's a trainer and assessor for wildlife and a dog groomer and trainer. She has written books on care of sea birds, and manuals for the care of possums, Sugar Gliders etc.
I discovered she also had a tiny companion - a "pinky wallaby" - which had to come along for the ride as he had to be fed every 3 hours.
A word of warning - towards the end of the interview there's some disturbing information about the culling of koalas.
30 Sept 2026
Moreno Giovannoni - writer of The Immigrants & The Fireflies of Autumn
Moreno Giovannoni's beautiful and much-celebrated books deal with the experiences of being an immigrant; an outsider.
His books are influenced by stories from his life, including his family's inability to settle comfortably in either the small village of their birth - San Ginese in Tuscany, or their new country, Australia. But in this conversation he also reveals much of his creative writing processes, as someone who has come late to the art of writing.
His first book, The Fireflies of Autumn (https://www.readings.com.au/product/9781863959940/9781863959940)was followed a year later by The Immigrants (https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/aug/01/the-immigrants-by-moreno-giovannoni-review-family-history-fuels-a-novel-of-understated-beauty), 2025. The first was shortlisted for the Victorian Premier's Award and for Readings Prize, while the most recent one is The Age Book of the Year, and NSW Premier's Prize for Fiction. It's been short-listed for the Victorian Premier's Prize for Fiction, and the Prime Minister's Prize. It's also long listed for the Voss Prize, selected by University Heads of Literature.
Moreno visited Ballarat during the Bonegilla: the migrants journey (https://bonegillamigrants.com.au) a multi-media performance by Simon Reich.
14 Sept 2026
Andrew Chapman exhibition & Philip Quirk at The Green Bus exhibition.
The Green Bus: Andrew Chapman's 55-year photographic journey through the streets of Melbourne.
This delightful exhibition at CIty Gallery (https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/green-bus), Melbourne Town Hall features 55 photographs of Melbourne, from 1971 to today.
They tell the social history and community life in Melbourne's city streets and public places through the constant & discerning eye of photographer / curator Andrew Chapman (https://www.andrewchapmanphotography.com),
The exhibition runs 3 September 2026 - 19 February 2027. There are free guided tours and a wonderful small, free catalogue. It's a beautifully designed exhibition too - the work of Stephen Banham. The City Gallery entrance is in Swanston Street, through the Customer Service area. It's a small gem well worth a trip to Melbourne for its always interesting exhibitions.
Andrew Chapman and Philip Quirk, (https://www.philipquirk.com) are both alumni of Prahran College (https://prahranlegacy.org) photography department - a key, creative training ground in the 1970s & 80s, for many of Australia's significant photographer / artists. Phil & Andrew were interviewed 4 September 2026. As it was unplanned, and in the exhibition space, the sound varies and an interview with the City Gallery Registrar had to be omitted due to too much background sound. I hope to do further interviews later this year.
Interview & production: Merle Hathaway
6 Sept 2026
Lorena Carrington - Illustrator & writer
Lorena Carrington (https://lorenacarrington.com) talks about her work as an illustrator and writer, mainly in the genre of fantasy and fairytales for children, young adults and adults.
Based in regional Victoria, she now has 16 books for which she's designed, often using collaged photographic images.
Her most recent book is "A Puzzling Pursuit", which combines a murder mystery with puzzles, taking us on a journey to all sorts of sites across Australia.
In Ballarat, you can find her books at the Lydiard Street Collins Bookstore (https://ballaratonlydiard.collinsbooks.com.au), and her website (https://lorenacarrington.com) contains teachers notes, and intriguing glimpse into her latest puzzle book, and links to purchase. Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/lorena.carrington/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lorenacarrington/?hl=en)
Interviewed 5 September 2026 by Merle Hathaway
Production: Merle Hathaway
24 Aug 2026
Amanda Western - linocut and immersive, multi-arts installation artist
Amanda Western (https://amandawestern.com.au) has quickly risen to prominence in the arts. Here she talks about her growing interest in immersive installations, after an initial focus on linocuts. Her work reflects her deep interest in the environment and history.
She collaborated with Deborah Parkinson in the current collaborative Infuse Art Prize at Ross Creek Art Gallery (https://rosscreekgallery.com.au)until 30 August.
Now she is working towards a complex project, Red Bricks, at the East Loddon Woolshed, Serpentine. It's part of the 2026 Loddon Valley Arts Trail. See her website for a link to book a seat on the bus leaving Ballarat at 9am, Sunday 4 October.
Links here to her website (https://amandawestern.com.au/about-amanda), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/amanda.western.50/reels/), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanda_western_artist/).
Interview & production:: Merle Hathaway 25 August 2026
20 Aug 2026
Julie Burleigh & Pegs Marlow - Infuse Art Prize collaboration
Ceramicists Julie Burleigh (https://www.instagram.com/julie_b_ceramics/) and Pegs Marlow (https://www.instagram.com/pegsmarlow/) talk about collaborating for the Ross Creek Gallery's Infuse Art Prize. Although they've known each other for years, this is the first time they've worked together to create one artwork.
The result is a delightful miniature of the Ross Creek Art Gallery (https://rosscreekgallery.com.au) with an exhibition being installed. (You can get an idea of the size of the work by the photo of Julie peering through one of the windows.) More images are here. (https://www.instagram.com/p/Db4FF6mExfs/)
The Infuse Art Prize and Peter Pilven Ceramic Award is on at Ross Creek Gallery until 30 August 2026.
Interviewed by Merle Hathaway 7 August 2026
Production by Merle Hathaway
15 Aug 2026
Infuse Art Prize, Seona Murnane & Marg Jeffery
The Infuse Art Prize is showing at Ross Creek Gallery (https://rosscreekgallery.com.au) until 30 August 2026. This is an annual prize for collaborations between artists. Thirty finalists were selected by a panel, with Dr Deanne Gilson judging the $3,000 Infuse Art Prize, and the $1,000 Peter Pilven Collaborative Ceramics Award. Merle Hathaway talks here to Seona Murnane and Marg Jeffery about their charcoal, pastel & graphite on wood panels. See their work here on Facebook. (https://www.facebook.com/61557268005761/posts/2026-infuse-art-prize-finalists-seona-murnane-marg-jefferyartwork-charred-countr/122291855666242266/)
Winner of the Infuse Art Prize: Pauline Doren, Nick Doran-Adams & Ross Adams.
Winner of the Peter Pilven Prize: Camille Ducret & Jerome Moreau
Interviewed by Merle Hathaway
Produced by Alan Mallows and Merle Hathaway
9 Aug 2026
Beth Lamont Interview
Interview by Merle Hathaway
Production by Alan Mallows
8 Aug 2026
Sylvia Hollis artist and teacher
Sylvia Hollis modestly says she "just makes art". As with so many artists, she draws and makes exquisite small sculptures of nudes. She also organises life drawing classes at Sebastopol Community Centre and teaches art for correctional services.
Regular life drawing and modelling informs an art practice that focuses on the nude figure, psychologically enhanced to deter objectification. See her works in progress and drawings on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sylvia.hollis.2025) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sylviahollisartist/).
Interview by Merle Hathaway 29 July 2026
Production by Alan Mallows
16 Jul 2026
Julia Howe, artist
Julia Howe is a young artist whose work is currently showing at Ballarat Art Space. “Chronic” is an exhibition exploring chronic pain using a variety of media - photography, painting, sculpture and animation screen work. This year she graduated from PSC (Photography Studies College) and also works as a graphic designer
Interviewer: Merle Hathaway
Production: Alan Mallows
3 Jul 2026
Geoffrey D'Ombrain OAM.
Geoffrey D'Ombrain, (https://www.geoffreydombrain.com.au) composer, musician, music educator, at 95 years of age talks about his long career in music and his current projects.
You can see & hear some of his music for contemporary dance here -
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2qsYe90hG2pm5ZZuyLj1Qw (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2qsYe90hG2pm5ZZuyLj1Qw)
And to get an idea of a score -
https://www.australianmusiccentre.com.au/work/d-ombrain-geoffrey-under-the-trees (https://www.australianmusiccentre.com.au/work/d-ombrain-geoffrey-under-the-trees)
Interviewed by Merle Hathaway 29 June 2026
Production by Alan Mallows
26 Jun 2026
Merle Hathaway interviews Richard Chew
Prof Richard Chew (https://www.federation.edu.au/research/find-an-expert/rick-chew/) is Director of the Arts Academy of Federation University, Ballarat. A graduate of the Royal College of of Music - International Opera School, he is also a performer (pianist) and composer, writing music for opera, theatre, film and for his trio, Inscape. He talks here about his life-long passion for music and working with the Performing Arts Students of Federation University.
Interviewer: Merle Hathaway, 19 June 2026
Producer: Alan Mallows
26 Jun 2026
60 BC exhibition at Kank Wolverang Gallery
A Ballarat Arts Alive exhibition at Kank Wolverang Records Gallery, Main Road, Bakery Hill, Ballarat. 16 May – 13 June 2026. The exhibition featured 60 artists from Ballarat and Castlemaine. Eleven of them, including Peter Sparkman who curated the exhibition for BAA, talk about their work. You'll hear: Alison Parkinson, April Welfare, Daria Betley, Garth Horsfield, ReVerse Butcher (Stephanie Petrik), Vicki Nash and Zlatko Balazic from Ballarat, and Eliza-Jane Gilchrist, John A Smith, and Penny Peckham.
Interviewer: Merle Hathaway (16 May 2026)
Producer: Alan Mallows
25 Jun 2026
An Interview With Effie Williams
Effie Williams, a Ballarat painter on fabrics, talks about growing up in a highly creative circle of family and friends that included many important arts groups, including Ratartat, ERTH, Art is… festival, Weatherboard Painters & Sculptors, Art Hall Learmonth. See Effie's work on Instagra (https://www.instagram.com/effie_handpaintedfabrics/)m.
Interviewer Merle Hathaways
13 Jun 2026
Buninyong Film Festival 19 & 20 June 2026
Joan Goldsmith talks about the programme this year - 7 great films, including "Twiggy" and the Australian "Wolfram" and "One to One" an intimate look at John Lennon and Yoko Ono's life in early 1970s New York. The other films are It was just an Accident (Iranian thriller), Sirat (Spanish/French drama), Pasa Faho (Australian comedy) and The Secret Agent (Brazilian thriller). Joan has been a member of the BFF committee for many years and is passionate about the films they select as well as the walks, suppers and dinners that are part of the programme. Buninyong Town Hall is a beautiful heritage venue in the heart of the town, 10 kms from Ballarat, Victoria.
Interviewer: Merle Hathaway
11 Jun 2026
Paul Gordon-Smith talks about the relationship between psychology and town planning, architecture and the environment.
Paul is a self-confessed multi-dimensional person whose background includes teaching, policy advice to governments, building and development. He is a member of Ballarat Heritage Watch and the City of Ballarat's Heritage Advisory Committee.
Interviewed by Merle Hathaway 9 June 2026
Production: Alan Mallows
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