When a group of artists stopped a truck carrying fabrics from the old Fletcher Jones site, in 2008, they probably didn’t realise it, but they were about to spark a creative movement. The artists saved the fabric from the tip, so repurpose it… and a community grew, eventually creating their own gallery, shop and studio space in Warrnambool.

F Project is now a fixture of Warrnambool life, with more than 12 exhibitions a year, the Fabric of Life Festival and the daily visibility of its laneway art. However, it’s now at a tricky juncture… where F Project’s success needs to be matched with volunteer capacity and broader community involvement.

Hear from:

• Helen Bunyon - Artist and Deputy Chair of F Project

• Harley Manifold - Artist, photographer and F Project Committee Member

• Emma Mahoney - Chair, F Project

• Helen Edwards - Melbourne-based artist

• Jane Curtis - Artist, F Project Committee member and manager of F Project Residence.

• Jacinta Ermacora - Member for Western Victoria and former Warrnambool Mayor.

The story of F Project is deeply connected to Fletcher Jones, the man, who was known for his community involvement and entrepreneurial flair. His ethos continues to be embodied by F Project today, including ensuring art is accessible and inclusive for everyone.

This podcast is brought to you by the Fletcher Jones Family Foundations and produced by the Rural Podcasting Co.

We all know a garden can transform the look and feel of a place, but the Indigenous Garden, designed and built by the students of Warrnambool College is doing so much more. Inside the native garden, you’ll find edible plants and indigenous art work. The students enjoy it for the connection to country and the opportunity to grow food and plants that are meaningful to them.

The garden is the brainchild of Anthea Rafferty, an art and design teacher at Warrnambool College. And while it’s being used for horticulture lessons and even landscaping in architecture and art… the garden is being incorporated into many other subjects too, including maths, english and science.

This “living classroom” concept has already had a positive impact on students’ learning and wellbeing. Now, Anthea wants to bring this holistic approach to learning to schools right across the region.

Hear from:

• • Anthea Rafferty - Art and Design Teacher at Warrnambool College
  • Meekah Merriman - Student at Warrnambool College
  • Kobi Chatfield - Student at Warrnambool College

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  This podcast is brought to you by the Fletcher Jones Family Foundations and produced by the Rural Podcasting Co.

  
  

Ask any surfer about the magic of surfing, and they’ll tell you. But to non-surfers, it can seem like an exclusive club that you don’t know how to get into. Stoked Surf Therapy is slowly changing that surfing image in Warrnambool, by offering free surf lessons to anyone, including people with disabilities and vulnerable members of the community.

And through this, the magic of surfing is being found by a group of people who see it as more of a ‘social prescription’, to improve and maintain their mental health. There’s scientific research that backs this up, from the ‘flow state’of being immersed in water, to the endorphins from exercise and the serotonin that comes from the feeling of achievement in taking up a new challenge.

These ‘gnarly’ effects have been seen well beyond the ocean.

Hear from:

• • Chrissie Duncan - Coordinator of Stoked Surf Therapy at Brophy Family and Youth Services.
  • Emma Keegan - Stoked Surf Therapy facilitator, qualified surf coach and Youth Development Worker at Foyer Warrnambool
  • Kayla Mugavin - Community Engagement Worker at Headspace and Stoked Surf Therapy facilitator.
  • Joey - Doctor and Stoked presenter on mental health.
  • Jayden Plumber - Owner of Port Fairy Surf School

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  Stoked Surf Therapy began during the depths of Covid lockdowns in 2021, when surfing was one of the few activities still permitted. From this it has grown through community partnerships and support, to become an award-winning organisation.

  This podcast is brought to you by the Fletcher Jones Family Foundations and produced by the Rural Podcasting Co.