We begin by diving into the history of Grampians towns, Willaura and Moyston... from the early days of wheat cropping to the wool boom of the 1950s and 60s when the towns reached their peak population.

Damian gets a tour of the Willaura Historical Society building, and discovers the beloved Dr Cyril Checci, a WWI doctor, who went on to deliver about 2000 babies in the region.

We uncover a hilarious account of the 1977 account of the rabbit skinning-competition and look back at some of the outlandish newspaper advertisements of the early 1900s.

That's all before we auction off the Moyston-General store to a live crowd and find a winner in the Town Quiz. Wich town knows their home better?

Hear from:

*John Walter - President of the Willaura Historical Society

*Julie-Ann Rose - Owner, Moyston General Store

*Heather Fleming - President, Willaura Health Care Auxiliary and Willaura community advocate

* Max McLean - President, Moyston Sheep Dog Club

* Kevin Butler - Founder, BlazeAid

Much of this episode was recorded in front of a live audience, at the Willaura Town Hall, as a fundraiser for BlazeAid. Thank you to the Moyston and WIllaura communities for their support.

This is the second episode of a two-part series. So if you haven't already - go back and listen to the first one!

Would you like the Town Criers to come to your town? Visit our website.

This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production.

We head to Moyston and Willaura, two towns in the Grampians region of western Victoria. Both towns have populations of around 500 and have recently merged their football teams to become “the Pumas”. Despite neither town having a pub, they have each become tourist attractions in their own right!

This episode has been recorded live on stage at the Willaura Town Hall. Damian and Kirsten discover:

· Moyston’s claim to fame as the birthplace of the AFL and the story of legendary sportsman, Tom Wills – with Brian Kennedy, former drama teacher and Moyston local

· Why the Willaura Bakery is so famous – with Peter Sporton, owner of the Willaura Bakery

· What the future of Willaura and Moyston will look like, in our snap Mayoral election - Cr Jo Armstrong of the Ararat Rural City Shire responds to the policies put forward by Yr 4, 5 and 6 students from Willaura Primary School.

Join us we begin this fun and fascinating road trip around the Grampians. This is the first episode of a two-part series, originally held as a fundraiser for Blaze Aid.

Would you like the Town Criers to come to your town? Visit our website.

This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production.

We continue our adventure through Portland, this time getting into the sport of the town. Whether you’re into footy, basketball, surfing… or even walking, Portland does it better than most.

The surf beaches are so good, Damian gets put in a car boot for a secret tour from a local surfer, who cannot be named, for fear of retribution. While Kirsten goes to Cape Bridgewater to experience the Great South West Walk.

We also hear the incredible story of how nearby Budj Bim, the world’s oldest aquaculture system, came to be listed on the World Heritage List in 2019… a process which took nearly two decades.

Damian and Kirsten finally make it up the corkscrew and witness the mysterious ‘truck rocket launchers’.

Featuring:

• Bill Golding - One of the Founders of the Great South West Walk and former Principal of Portland High School.

• Dr Denis Rose - Gunditjmara man and former Project Manager for the Budj Bim Sustainable Development Partnership.

• Cr Karen Stephens - Mayor of the Glenelg Shire, who takes us up the corkscrew and to the rocket launchers!

• Chris ‘Lefty” Wright - Portland’s most prolific local footy player.

• Unnamed Portland Surfer - who wishes to remain anonymous for his own safety.

And the verdict’s in! Damo and Kirsten give their Town Criers’ small town criteria assessment. So, how will Portland fare on their unique scale?

If you haven’t listened to our first episode, make sure you catch up!

Thank you to The Committee for Portland for sponsoring this episode (and special mention for Portland Women in Business).

Would you like the Town Criers to come to your town? Visit our website.

This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production.