This week Amy, Millie and Justina are joined by local Adelaide artist, zine-maker, community organiser and author of the graphic memoir Oh Brother, Georgina Chadderton – aka George Rex Comics. Join us as we chat all about making comics, shifting between zine-making and traditional publishing, interdisciplinary creativity, building grassroots arts community, revelling in niche Australian comedy and how to explain Vegemite to Canadians.

🫵 Our BOTM is ZINES by YOU! We'll all be making our own zines this month – join us and craft along at home!

MENTIONS

💥 COMICS: Oh Brother by Georgina Chadderton; The Adventures of Tin Tin by Hergé; Asterix by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo; Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson; Johnny the Homicidal Maniac by Jhonen Vasquez; Too Much Coffee Man by Shannon Wheeler; Milk and Cheese by Evan Dorkin; Pat Grant (Blue, The Grot); Mandy Ord (When One Person Dies the Whole World is Over, Bulk Nuts); Alison Bechdel (Fun Home; Are You My Mother?); Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O’Malley; The Adventure Zone by Clint McElroy, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Travis McElroy and Carey Pietsch; Aśka (The Friendship Paradox)

📖 BOOKS: 45 and 47 Stella Street by Elizabeth Honey

🎬 FILMS: The Muppets (2011); The Rage in Placid Lake (2003); Strictly Ballroom (1992)

📺 TV: Invader Zim (2001–2006); Flight of the Conchords (2007–2009); The Mighty Boosh (2004–2007); Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun (2020)

🦦 OTHER: Zina Warrior Print Fest; Papercuts Comics Festival; Greenlight Comics; Emerging Writers Festival; Format Festival; Thought Bubble Comic Art Festival; Adelaide Writers’ Week; Pull Pop Push: Revealing the Magic of Pop Up Books at State Library SA; Studio Ruby Chew; Perth Comic Arts Festival; Melbourne Rare Book Week

LINKS:

• Follow Georgina on IG: @georgerexcomics
• Visit Georgina’s website and check out their comics reading list
• Read Georgina’s graphic memoir Oh Brother
• Watch the full episode on YouTube: @AmyAndBookclub
• Follow the Amy & Podcast on IG: @amyandbookclub
• Follow the Amy & Podcast on TikTok: @amyandbookclub
• Join the Amy & Book Club: Amy & Bookclub
• Follow Amy Matthews on IG: @amymatthewsauthor
• Follow Amy Barry on IG: @amybarryauthor
• Our theme music is by Mass Wisteria. Stream their single "Same Old" here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2023 Afghan single mother Laila was desperate to get herself and her five daughters out of Iran. The chances were slim, but she was willing to try anything. When she called an Afghan contact in Adelaide, Mij Tanith was in the room and decided to try and help. What ensued was a growing long distance friendship that overcame the barriers of language and culture, fought through the bureaucratic hurdles and has led to Laila and her daughters being safely settled in Australia. Using poetry and prose, writer and refugee activist Mij Tanith has now told Laila’s story

Guest:

Mij Tanith, author and poet

INSTAGRAM

@mijtanith

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Around the School Table (xuno.com.au/podcasts), host Steve Davis is joined by Stephanie Doyle, Founder of The Conference Planners (theconferenceplanners.com.au/), to explore how thoughtfully designed conferences can become powerful drivers of professional learning, leadership, and collaboration across Australian education.

Drawing on her experience working with education networks, government systems, peak bodies, and school leaders, Stephanie shares why successful conferences begin with strategy rather than logistics. Instead of focusing solely on speakers and schedules, she explains how understanding delegate needs, defining clear objectives, and designing purposeful experiences lead to meaningful learning that continues long after the event concludes.

Throughout the conversation, Stephanie explains why face-to-face professional learning remains invaluable despite the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and unlimited online information. While technology can provide quick answers, she believes genuine conversations, shared experiences, and collaborative problem-solving create insights that simply cannot be replicated online. As a result, conferences provide school leaders with dedicated time to reflect, connect with peers, and develop practical solutions for their own school communities.

The discussion also explores the evolving role of educational leadership. Stephanie highlights how increasing compliance, wellbeing responsibilities, staffing challenges, and operational complexity have transformed the work of school leaders. Consequently, she explains why modern conferences must provide opportunities to build leadership capacity, encourage peer learning, and create environments where authentic conversations can flourish.

In addition, Steve and Stephanie examine how conferences can better support both experienced and emerging leaders. They discuss the importance of intentional networking, structured collaboration, and creating welcoming experiences that help new leaders build meaningful professional relationships. Furthermore, Stephanie shares how exhibitors and education partners can achieve greater success by focusing on genuine engagement instead of transactional interactions.

The episode also considers the importance of purposeful conference design, meaningful reflection, and measuring success beyond attendee satisfaction surveys. Stephanie explains why the most effective events are built around clear outcomes, trusted relationships, and practical implementation that benefits schools long after delegates return to their classrooms and leadership teams.

Whether you are a classroom teacher, school leader, system leader, or education partner, this conversation offers valuable insights into designing conferences that inspire collaboration, strengthen leadership, and create lasting impact across Australian education.

Powered by: xuno.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"It's nice to be known, I guess?"

This book club episode is a liiittle bit different because it is zine month, and in lieu of a book club pick, we tasked ourselves with making our own zines. Today is the day we share them with each other and, of course, with you! From Amy & warfare to imaginary band discographies, this episode is a wild ride and the perfect culmination of everything we've explored this month - it's just unfortunate that the Zoom audio can't pick up all the laughter, but rest assured, it was constant. I don't think any of us expected to be perceived and read quite this intensely or filthily . . .

LINKS:

• Watch the full episode on YouTube: @AmyAndBookclub
• Follow the Amy & Podcast on IG: @amyandbookclub
• Follow the Amy & Podcast on TikTok: @amyandbookclub
• Follow Amy Matthews on IG: @amymatthewsauthor
• Follow Amy Barry on IG: @amybarryauthor
• Our theme music is by Mass Wisteria. Stream their single "Same Old" here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're trying something a little different for this After Dark: a get-to-know-us episode. We've been talking zines all month, so it felt right that we get together and talk about our lives as writers. We answer the age old questions like Pantser or Plotter, do you worldbuild extensively or wing it, and why is writing so hard? We get into some less traditional topics as well, like whether we'd prefer to be a Nobel winner or a New York Times' bestselling author, and can you want people to like your writing without being a narcissist? All this and more on our After Dark deep dive.

MENTIONS

Burnout by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
The Faithful Executioner by Joel F. Harrington
The Writer's Guide to Every Day Life in the Wild West by Candy Moulton
Everyday Life During the Civil War by Michael J. Varhola
The Writer's Guide to Every Day Life in Regency and Victorian England by Kristine Hughes
The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England by Ian Mortimer
Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again by Katherine Angel
Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nascosta

LINKS

🎵 Our theme music is by Mass Wisteria. Stream their single SAME OLD here: https://tr.ee/Mn6oTQ2AOW

🌸 Our Socials:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/amyandbookclub

TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@amyandbookclub

💛 Where to find Amy:

Amy Matthews on IG: https://www.instagram.com/amymatthewsauthor/

Amy Barry on IG: https://www.instagram.com/amybarryauthor/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAmyTMatthewsauthor

Website: https://amymatthewsauthor.com/

Thank you so much for listening! 💞

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In this episode of Around the School Table (xuno.com.au/podcasts), host Steve Davis is joined by Dr Selena Fisk, a Data Storyteller and Founder of SelenaFisk.com, to explore how schools can move beyond simply collecting data and instead build a culture where evidence supports better teaching, stronger leadership, and improved student outcomes. Drawing on her experience as a former teacher, researcher, and education consultant, Selena explains why schools should strive to become data-informed rather than data-driven.

Throughout the conversation, Selena reflects on her early teaching career in the United Kingdom, where school performance was judged heavily against a single achievement metric. Consequently, she shares how that experience shaped her belief that data should never become a tool for compliance or fear. Instead, it should encourage curiosity, professional conversations, and thoughtful decision-making. She also explains why every dataset contains limitations and why triangulation, using multiple sources of evidence, helps educators develop a more accurate understanding of student learning.

The discussion also explores Selena's doctoral research into student perceptions of feedback. She reveals that many students genuinely want to understand where they sit within their learning journey. However, they also value meaningful conversations that help them interpret feedback rather than simply receiving grades. Furthermore, she explains how schools can foster confidence by encouraging dialogue between teachers and students while ensuring data remains connected to the people behind the numbers.

The conversation examines how school leaders can improve data conversations by creating practical frameworks that guide staff from analysing evidence through to prioritising actions. Rather than allowing meetings to become compliance exercises, Selena demonstrates how curiosity, structured questioning, and clear priorities can transform school improvement conversations into purposeful action.

The episode also discusses simplifying school data systems, reducing technology barriers, and making information more accessible for teachers. In addition, Selena highlights why educators should use data to celebrate progress, identify strengths, and recognise growth instead of focusing solely on gaps or deficiencies. Practical examples illustrate how recognising improvement can positively influence student identity, motivation, and engagement.

Finally, the conversation examines responsible interpretations of NAPLAN results and the importance of understanding school performance within its broader community context. Selena also shares inspiring examples from her work with remote Australian schools, demonstrating how careful analysis of attendance, engagement, and community feedback can lead to meaningful educational change.

This episode provides valuable insights for teachers, school leaders, and education professionals seeking to create ethical, evidence-informed school cultures where data prompts better questions, stronger collaboration, and more confident decisions.

Powered by: xuno.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.