Kat Dawson - Searching for Siblings
Riverland Women
Imagine discovering you had hundreds of siblings you had never met… In this episode of Riverland Women, I sit down with Kat Dawson. After learning she was conceived through anonymous sperm donation, she began searching for her biological connections. What she never expected was the sheer scale—she could have up to 700 siblings… maybe even more. Now, Kat is on a mission to track down as many of them as possible—not just to connect, but to share crucial information about significant mental and physical health concerns that could impact them all. Before we get into that, we talk...
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Caroline Phillips - Making the most out of the Murraylands
Riverland Women
In this episode of Riverland Women, Kerrie Lush sits down with Caroline Phillips, the dynamic Mayor of Karoonda East Murray. Caroline shares her story, from growing up on her family’s farm in Wynarka to studying abroad in Norway, dressing up as a Caramello Koala in Rundle Mall and eventually becoming a driving force behind some of the most exciting projects in her local community. Caroline talks about the inspiration behind the iconic Karoonda silo art project, how she helped create the town’s first childcare and afterschool care facility, and her commitment to upgrading local...
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Pat Mickan - Olympic Dreams and Riverland Roots
Riverland Women
Riverland Women: Episode Summary Guest: Pat Mickan In this episode of Riverland Women, we sit down with one of the Riverland’s most accomplished athletes, Pat Mickan. Growing up in Renmark, Pat’s sporting talent took her from local courts to the international stage, representing Australia in basketball at two Olympic Games and three World Championships as a member of the Australian Opals. Pat shares her incredible journey, from playing both basketball and netball at elite levels to becoming a coach, journalist, and even a business owner in Renmark. She reflects on her memories from her...
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Dr Corina Sims - Building strength from struggle
Riverland Women
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Corina Sims, a rural GP and obstetrician from Renmark, who shares her incredible journey from a challenging childhood in the United States to becoming a doctor in Australia. Corina reflects on her upbringing, marked by domestic violence, addiction, and instability, and how these experiences shaped her resilience and drive. We explore her move to Australia, the impact of her new life on her children, and her passion for supporting women's health through her podcast, "Opt to Thrive." This episode highlights themes of overcoming adversity, embracing change, and...
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Stephanie Brookes - On leaving Ireland and loving Riverland life
Riverland Women
It's a long journey from the bustling streets of central Dublin to the outskirts of Renmark, but for Stephanie Brookes, it's a journey that has led her to exactly where she wants to be. Her path to the Riverland started with a stint as a winemaker – despite no formal qualifications and that's where she met her husband Andrew. Now deeply rooted in the Riverland, and working for the Renmark Paringa Council, Stephanie has made this community her own, pouring her heart into creating and fostering connections. But life in Australia hasn’t always been straightforward for Steph. After...
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Elspeth Radford - Sheep stations, Saltbush and river life
Riverland Women
Welcome to another episode of Riverland Women. In this episode, our guest is Elspeth Radford. Elspeth is a woman of many talents and has a fascinating story to tell. Founder of Saltbush Clothing: Elspeth founded one of South Australia's most renowned country clothing brands. Nursing Career: From stitching up shearer’s hands to being the onset nurse for the filming of the iconic Australian movie, Breaker Morant. Movie Appearance: Elspeth had a small but memorable role as Bryan Brown’s wife in Breaker Morant. Health Advocate: She is now dedicated to encouraging more rural doctors to serve...
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Amanda Wells - The history of citrus and how the Riverland got its name
Riverland Women
In this episode of Riverland Women we chat with Amanda Wells, a PhD candidate researching the environmental history of citrus growing in the Riverland from 1948 to 1970. Amanda reveals that the name "Riverland" was initially a brand name for oranges and only became the region's name in the 1960s. She discusses her research journey, the evolution of the citrus industry, and the personal and historical influences which led her to this topic.
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Jenny Semmler - From Pharmacy to Fermentation
Riverland Women
As Benjamin Franklin, once said, from adversity comes opportunity and that was certainly the case for Jenny Semmler from 919 Wines at Glossop. After the breakdown of her first marriage, the former pharmacist, then living in Victoria, threw herself into a wine making degree and then she met her now husband Eric. When a work opportunity in the Riverland presented itself to Eric, Jenny later followed. A few years later, 919 Wines was born. This is Jenny’s story. Thank you for listening to Riverland Women Follow Riverland Women and The Podcast Station on Facebook, Instagram and...
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Karlene Maywald - Politics, Women's Leadership and Water Management
Riverland Women
Life can be a funny thing; sometimes, circumstances lead you on a completely different journey than you expected. That was certainly the case for Karlene Maywald before she won the seat of Chaffey in the 1997 election. During her tenure, Karlene navigated the complexities of water management during one of the worst droughts in recorded history, playing a pivotal role in the Murray Darling Basin Plan. She was also a trailblazer for women in politics, being the first woman to hold the seat of Chaffey and the first member of the State Government to have a baby while in office. "It...
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Elise Howie - Psychology, Anorexia and PND
Riverland Women
In this week’s episode, we meet Elise Howie. She’s a clinical psychologist based in Renmark. As a teenager, Elise struggled with anorexia for six tough years. It was a difficult time that tested her in many ways, but she fought through it and eventually recovered. But Elise's challenges didn't stop there. After having her son, Charlie, she experienced postnatal depression with psychotic features. If you or someone you know is experiencing difficult times, there are several support services out there. Please contact your GP or PANDA’s National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline on 1300 726...
info_outlineDr. Heather Neilly is an ecologist whose journey began in the mining industry in Queensland. Six years ago, she and her family moved to the Riverland, where she now works at Calperum Station near Renmark.
Heather has recently been awarded a nearly half-million-dollar grant through The Australian Research Council to continue her vital research on restoring and protecting the Eucalyptus Mallee, home to many threatened species.
Heather is also the author of two children’s books, showcasing her diverse talents.