Shoshanna Griffin is a founder of Albury-Wodonga’s answer to the Tony's! That's right, the Amateur Performance in Theatre - or APT - Awards. Now in its sixth year, the APT Awards are creating change and connection in a region known for its commitment to amateur theatre and high-quality productions. Shoshanna’s life values are honesty, transparency, fairness, and opportunity. It’s how she approaches everything she does – be it volunteering, mentoring, or working in theatre.

Credits
Wise, Wild &Woven is proudly funded by the Rural Women’s Network in the NSW Government. Find out more about the Rural Women’s Network at https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/women-nsw/rural-womens-network

Wise, Wild & Woven was produced for the NSW Government by Dimity Brassil and A Lasting Tale. Find out more about their audio life story service at www.alastingtale.com

Ellen Crepaz is a Port Macquarie community-building powerhouse. A Western Sydney girl, Ellen and her family made the brave move of turning their holiday destination into their home back in 2015. It was when Covid lockdowns hit in 2020 that Ellen formed Port Macquarie Eats, an online community that helped restaurants pivot from dine-in to takeaway and delivery. This led to her being named NSW Hidden Treasure, as well as for her advocacy in the homelessness and mental health space.

Join Anna and Ellen for this fascinating conversation about food, community, mental health and of course something close to many hearts, Grandmothers.

Content Warning
A heads up that we touch on some heavier themes today like trauma and abuse, though we don't go into specific details. Just wanted to let you know before we start. If this episode brings up difficult feelings, or if you just need someone to talk to, support is available 24/7 through the following Australian services:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 | beyondblue.org.au
• 13YARN: 13 92 76 (Crisis support for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people) | 13yarn.org.au
• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 | suicidecallbackservice.org.au
• Kids Helpline (Ages 5-25): 1800 55 1800 | kidshelpline.com.au

In an emergency, please always call Triple Zero (000).

Credits
Wise, Wild & Woven is proudly funded by the Rural Women’s Network in the NSW Government. Find out more about the Rural Women’s Network at https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/women-nsw/rural-womens-network

Wise, Wild & Woven was produced for the NSW Government by Dimity Brassil and A Lasting Tale. Find out more about their audio life story service at www.alastingtale.com

Let's head to the the rural centre of Deniliquin, sitting on the beautiful Edward River in the Southern Riverina, to meet local powerhouse, Chantelle Shevels. Chantelle wears many hats, including owner of Grassroots Finance, ex-President of the Deniliquin Show Society, and long-term Rural Fire Service Volunteer.

What's most inspiring about our conversation is Chantelle's passion for Deniliquin - or Deni as it’s more commonly known - her can-do attitude, her positivity and her collaborative nature. As you will hear, Chantelle loves a good mantra - including “don’t let a good disaster go to waste” or “be the change you want to see”.

After the interview, I was lucky enough to get a guided tour of the Deniliquin Show Grounds on the river bank - and I advise all our listeners to get themselves to Deni for a visit.

Credits
Wise, Wild & Woven is proudly funded by the Rural Women’s Network in the NSW Government. Find out more about the Rural Women’s Network at https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/women-nsw/rural-womens-network

Wise, Wild & Woven was produced for the NSW Government by Dimity Brassil and A Lasting Tale. Find out more about their audio life story service at www.alastingtale.com

We sat down with a powerhouse of homelessness advocacy in NSW - Theresa Mitchell. From her roots in Mackay to founding Agape Outreach Inc. 17 years ago, Theresa’s journey began with a single meal and a deep commitment to those on the margins. A newly registered Clinical Psychologist currently completing her PhD, Theresa is moving beyond the front lines of Byron and Runaway Bay to produce the cost-benefit research needed to shift national homelessness policy.

Recognised as the 2026 NSW Local Hero in the Australian of the Year Awards, she is a voice for the vulnerable, demanding that we stop looking away from systemic rental scarcity and substandard housing - and start pushing for real reform.

Content Warning
This episode contains brief discussions regarding sexual abuse, mental health struggles, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. If this episode brings up difficult feelings, or if you just need someone to talk to, support is available 24/7 through the following Australian services:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 | beyondblue.org.au
• 13YARN: 13 92 76 (Crisis support for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people) | 13yarn.org.au
• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 | suicidecallbackservice.org.au
• Kids Helpline (Ages 5-25): 1800 55 1800 | kidshelpline.com.au

In an emergency, please always call Triple Zero (000).

Credits
Wise, Wild & Woven is proudly funded by the Rural Women’s Network in the NSW Government. Find out more about the Rural Women’s Network at https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/women-nsw/rural-womens-network

Wise, Wild & Woven was produced for the NSW Government by Dimity Brassil and A Lasting Tale. Find out more about their audio life story service at www.alastingtale.com

In this episode, Dimity chats to Sue Eggins, the long-time President of the Kiama Historical Society. The Bugle, Kiama’s local newspaper, says about Sue “She’s not just preserving Kiama’s history, she’s safeguarding it’s soul.” We recorded this interview on location at the museum, the old Pilot’s Cottage – so close to the Kiama Blowhole you can nearly feel the spray!

Credits
Wise, Wild & Woven is proudly funded by the Rural Women’s Network in the NSW Government. Find out more about the Rural Women’s Network at https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/women-nsw/rural-womens-network

Wise, Wild & Woven was produced for the NSW Government by Dimity Brassil and A Lasting Tale. Find out more about their audio life story service at www.alastingtale.com

We're talking with Joy Beames, from the famously named Dunedoo. Joy was recently the Country Women's Association NSW State President, with her three-year term finishing in mid-2025. Joy and Dimity chatted over a sometimes difficult internet connection between Albury and Dunedoo - something even the former State President of the CWA has to still contend with.

But our conversation doesn’t dwell on the difficulties facing rural NSW - instead Joy talks about advocacy, connection, positivity and her Kindness Project, of which she is particularly proud.

Joy has sage advice for others looking to volunteer, saying “I think do it, but do it well. I’ve seen too many circumstances in the past where people have put themselves forward to wear the badge, not to do the job. So be aware of what it entails, but give it your all, put your heart in it and do it.”

Credits
Wise, Wild & Woven is proudly funded by the Rural Women’s Network in the NSW Government. Find out more about the Rural Women’s Network at https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/women-nsw/rural-womens-network

Wise, Wild & Woven was produced for the NSW Government by Dimity Brassil and A Lasting Tale. Find out more about their audio life story service at www.alastingtale.com

Dr Saba Nabi OAM is a NSW Hidden Treasure, a pharmacist, a PHD and an OAM. And so much more! When Saba arrived in Wagga Wagga back in 2011 with her husband and baby girl in tow, she approached this incredibly new world with positivity, thoughtfulness and gusto. A lifelong community volunteer, Saba turned her hand to community work to settle herself and her family into the regional Australian lifestyle.

From Patna in India via Saudi Arabia and then to Wagga Wagga join Saba as she tells us of this thrilling ride.

Credits
Wise, Wild & Woven is proudly funded by the Rural Women’s Network in the NSW Government. Find out more about the Rural Women’s Network at https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/women-nsw/rural-womens-network

Wise, Wild & Woven was produced for the NSW Government by Dimity Brassil and A Lasting Tale. Find out more about their audio life story service at www.alastingtale.com

“Everyone has something they can give to the world” - and our guest today, Jane Harris - has certainly given much of her time, talents, passions and skills to her local community of Finley in the Southern Riverina. Jane is a powerful volunteer in her community and uses her brave and strategic voice to advocate for real change.

Her achievements are numerous - the Finley Farmers Markets, chairing Birralee Preschool, working on Finley’s Dancing with the Stars, advocating for her local high school Finley High, and launching the Southern Riverina Wellbeing Collaborative - and that’s just all before lunchtime!

It was an absolute pleasure to interview Jane on the family farm near Blighty, on the road between Finley and Deniliquin. Jane’s a friend of mine, and I’ve been enjoying her sage advice for many years now - I’m sure you will too.

Content warning
This episode contains an open and honest conversation about suicide and mental health. We understand that these topics can be distressing or triggering for some listeners. Please prioritise your well-being and consider whether now is the right time for you to listen.

If this episode brings up difficult feelings, or if you just need someone to talk to, support is available 24/7 through the following Australian services:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 | beyondblue.org.au
• 13YARN: 13 92 76 (Crisis support for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people) | 13yarn.org.au
• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 | suicidecallbackservice.org.au
• Kids Helpline (Ages 5-25): 1800 55 1800 | kidshelpline.com.au

In an emergency, please always call Triple Zero (000).

Credits
Wise, Wild & Woven is proudly funded by the Rural Women’s Network in the NSW Government. Find out more about the Rural Women’s Network at https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/women-nsw/rural-womens-network

Wise, Wild & Woven was produced for the NSW Government by Dimity Brassil and A Lasting Tale. Find out more about their audio life story service at www.alastingtale.com