Radical Valley? Power struggles, unions, the SEC & economic geography.

Hear from our guests Naomi Farmer, Luke Van Der Mullen & Sally Weller as we learn about economic geography discuss the SEC in its heyday, the radical history of the Latrobe Valley, power struggles. And how union actions in the Valley influenced the broader workers rights movement across Australia.

Season two has been made possible by the support of Federation University, and the Victorian State Government (along with our blood, sweat & research tears and you, our wonderful coal face listening crew).

For episode 2 we pick up the story in the 20th century, when Gippsland’s brown coal fields were transformed into power stations, company towns and modernist dreams. From Purvis Plaza to Hazelwood’s hot-water pondage, the Valley was sold a “golden age”... but golden for whom?

Along the way, we speak with historian Erik Eklund about Gippsland’s twin booms, company towns like Churchill and the overlooked roots of environmental activism, and with industry veteran Rob Mizzi about the hidden supply chains that kept Victoria’s lights on.

It’s a journey through booming populations, brick houses, migrant workers and monumental cigars that asks what the golden age of coal really meant and what impact it had on our people and places. Show notes: Coal Face - S2E2 - Show Notes

We kick off Season 2 by going back, WAY back. From prehistoric swamps that became Gippsland’s coal seams, to Cloggs Cave and its 12,000-year-old stories, to the giant earthworms squelching under our feet, this episode digs into the ancient ground that shaped the Latrobe Valley. Along the way, we talk with botanist Ian Sluiter about coal’s ecological origins. Poet, environmental advocate and educator Electra Green about bugs, caring for the environment growing up in the bush, and invertebrate ecologist Dr. Beverley Van Praag about the secret lives of Gippsland’s Giant Earthworm.

It’s a journey through 4.5 billion years that sets the stage for coal’s 'golden age' and the transition still unfolding today.

Season two has been made possible by the support of Federation University, the Morwell Innovation Centre, our blood, sweat & tears and you our esteemed listeners. Show notes and sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1plBA5F7e07VVPzKkmAcSHE8uvc7OWolRrCe_9724ZoQ/edit?usp=sharing