Firestarters - Australia's Women Writers cover art

Firestarters - Australia's Women Writers

Firestarters - Australia's Women Writers

By: TuneFM
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Firestarters explores the vibrant newspaper writing of Australian women from the first 150 years of the colonial period. These women’s stories, novels, poetry, and articles were published in newspapers across the country, shaping a rich and diverse literary culture. But where is that legacy now? Why are their names missing from our literary histories?

Hosted by Francie Finn, Firestarters follows the trail of these forgotten writers, uncovering their work and examining how women’s literary contributions in Australia were sidelined. Blending archival discoveries with contemporary readings, and expert commentary, the series invites listeners to rediscover these voices and reconsider the narratives we’ve inherited.

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Episodes
  • Episode 3: Opening the Gates

    Episode 3: Opening the Gates
    Dec 2 2025
    In the final episode of Firestarters, 'Opening the gates', Francie talks about a community of Australian women writers from the 1920s and 30s who supported and encouraged each other in their writing. She explores their sometimes radical political views, the daily grind of domestic duties that impeded their output, and their genuine desire to make visible the everyday circumstances of the lives of Australian women. Australian Women Writers website: www.AustralianWomenWriters.com "Danse Macabre - Busy Strings" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Groans from a Man by FuzzyTuesday -- https://freesound.org/s/730386/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Male Angry Growl.wav by usamah -- https://freesound.org/s/464993/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Man Grumbling.wav by KALeigh0218 -- https://freesound.org/s/655877/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Breaking Glass 13.mp3 by FunWithSound -- https://freesound.org/s/390707/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Angry frustrated and disappointed - Male - Various Sounds.wav by khenshom -- https://freesound.org/s/527737/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Slam door.MP3 by SoundsForHim -- https://freesound.org/s/395653/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 run_from_stairs.wav by fuzzpapi -- https://freesound.org/s/147345/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Setting Things Down on Table by elricadavis -- https://freesound.org/s/764614/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Put kettle sound by SpinOpel -- https://freesound.org/s/781110/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 opening a creaky door.wav by Leady -- https://freesound.org/s/12741/ -- License: Attribution 3.0 Footsteps heels pavement denoised by YannSauvin -- https://freesound.org/s/778103/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    30 mins
  • Episode 2: Idle Scribblings

    Episode 2: Idle Scribblings
    Aug 5 2025

    In Episode 2 'Idle Scribblings', Francie discusses the obstacles Australian women writers of the late 1800s faced to being recognised as serious contributors to Australia's literary scene. She introduces a host of writers worthy of further investigation and talks to the women behind AustralianWomenWriters.com who share their tips for uncovering some of this overlooked work.

    Australian Women Writers website: www.AustralianWomenWriters.com

    Attributions

    "Danse Macabre - Busy Strings" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    Horse carriage on city street.wav by Owl -- https://freesound.org/s/191741/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

    Ooohs in Large Stairwell | Doors Open and Close by IESP -- https://freesound.org/s/340059/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

    door - open 01.wav by Anthousai -- https://freesound.org/s/398750/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

    chair moving.wav by jeneveev -- https://freesound.org/s/544656/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

    Knock on Door 2 by NachtmahrTV -- https://freesound.org/s/571671/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

    church bells 10 o'clock in Rennes by bruno.auzet -- https://freesound.org/s/745890/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    31 mins
  • Episode 1: A Submerged Heritage

    Episode 1: A Submerged Heritage
    May 30 2025

    In this first episode of Firestarters - rescuing Australian women's newspaper writing from the kindling pile, Francie dives into the submerged heritage of women writers in Australia.

    Francie begins by outlining the history of women writers in Australia, and speaks to the two women behind the online archives at Australian Women Writers.

    Australian Women Writers website: www.AustralianWomenWriters.com

    WikiProject Women in Red: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Women_in_Red

    Attributions

    "Danse Macabre - Busy Strings" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    Creek water with bird sounds in background, such common grasshopper warbler by mrsorbias -- https://freesound.org/s/575494/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

    PIRATE SHIP SAILING AMBIENCE by Elenalostale -- https://freesound.org/s/648653/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

    Dhow on Indian Ocean.mp3 by urbanson4 -- https://freesound.org/s/415052/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

    Early morning in maculata forest.wav by Budgonganealain -- https://freesound.org/s/479856/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 3.0

    Walking through long grass and brush on wet ground wearing boots male by Whats_The_Frequency_Kennett -- https://freesound.org/s/760861/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

    Australian Magpie by dbache -- https://freesound.org/s/353060/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

    Raucous Cockatoos by kangaroovindaloo -- https://freesound.org/s/161640/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    26 mins
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