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

We are back (well almost) find out what is in store for season 2 of Coal Face in this special announcement teaser. Episode 1, will be released later this week. Keep your podcast feeds subscribed to COAL FACE. Follow us at https://www.instagram.com/coalfacepod/

Coal Face covers the 2023 Gippsland New Energy Conference. Get all the juicy details about how the billions of dollars of new energy are going to impact the next generation of workers in Gippsland. We spoke to the Chair of the Australian Renewables Academy, Bernadette O'Connor, the Director of Emerging Industries at the Latrobe Valley Authority, Bodye Darvil, the founder and CEO of Green Lab Futures, Scott Douglas, the Regional Stakeholder Manager of Corio Generation, Kate Foster, Year 12 school captain and future engineer, Ellie MacGregor, one of the GNEC event organising team and Senior Advisor in New Energy Development at the Gippsland Climate Change Network, Michelle Isles. PLUS all our own hot takes!

Show notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1INCuMtQcWJZwtkgFAb2e7UGzd1-bn_95VRazFhpT7B4/edit?usp=sharing

Josie and Steph speak with local Gunaikurnai artist Ronald Edwards Pepper about everything from creativity to cul-de-sacs. We learn about the power art has to change spaces, and how Ronald's sexuality and connection with the land intersect with his work. Find Ronald here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1590978367 Show notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aN6mIyvXmcYb0UBu5Uad80C2S_P99D-5SA0_J9_agl0/edit?usp=sharing

Josie and Steph speak with Environment Victoria's Bronya Lipski and Environmental Justice Australia's Chloe Babcock on the newly released draft of the Environmental Effects Statement scope for the Hazelwood Mine Rehabilitation project. We learn what an EES is, what this one gets right, and wrong, and why it's important for people to have their say during the submission window. (or you know, we might end up living next to an acidic lake) Show notes + how to submit:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ykk8Wjw-ewsWhNDU3J0pazy-6kHWqChkuNcZi3x0-e0/edit?usp=sharing

Join Josie & Steph as they speak with special guests Darren McCubbin, Ashley Hall, Edwina Vega, Dr Jarra Hicks, Mayor Kellie O'Callaghan & Marianne Robbinson as they discuss the Gippsland New Energy Conference, what community-owned renewable energy projects could look like and what a 40 billion dollar renewable energy sector could mean for Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley.

This episode was sponsored by The GNEC | we have retained full editorial control Show notes:

Josie and Steph take you on a whirlwind recap of the Hazelwood Exhibit that was on display at The Latrobe Regional Gallery. The Coal Face team discuss the role of art in shaping collective identities, how space can facilitate conversations around trauma and a Morwellian myth about the Hazelwood landowner who would drive his Rolls Royce around the paddocks of the power station. Show notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PF0NyZgbU-NZXgsFx2DlR_tHFCtCCHVqL7XYcA5902g/edit?usp=sharing

Water feeds the arteries of all life on earth, what is that truly worth? Josie & Steph chat with activist, chef and mushroom farmer Hayley Sestokas about growing up in the Latrobe Valley, coal ash dams, mine rehabilitation, and the important advocacy work of Friends of Latrobe Water & Environment Victoria.

Show Notes:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VC4K2o1lksVa4F-2eQybOGFzI9_OC0jmf34dNX_S3fE/edit?usp=sharing