This is the second (see Episode 2) in an occasional series consisting of extracts from interviews recorded by Hugh Anderson, a primary school principal from Ballarat, on his portable reel-to-reel recorder in 1967, with Simon 'Simmy' McDonald , a well-known local character who lived in Creswick all his life, from 1906 to 1968. He was an amazing singer, musician, poet, story-teller and local character. The recordings now reside in the National Library in Canberra, and this series delves into them. Great stories from Simmy, and some insight into how one of his songs arrived in Creswick having started out in the Southern States in the 1840s.

Neil Murray is one of Australia's best-known and well-loved songwriters. For many, he is known as the writer of My Island Home, recorded first with the Warumpi Band in the 80s and then a hit for Christine Anu in the 90s. There is a wealth of history and interest in Neil, and his life-long commitment to indigenous people is a foundation for his work. Here, one of CresFest's great interviewers, James Freemantle, asks him about his life and work. It's a fascinating insight!

Judy started playing recorder in the early years of primary school and music has rarely been absent from her life ever since. Here she talks about her musical life and how it inspired the crazy idea that is CresFest! A great personal insight.

You might have been lucky enough to see Chris and Catriona on any of their previous trips to Australia. As members of one of Scotland's most loved big fiddle bands, Fiddlers Bid, they first toured here 25 years ago, and they have returned regularly as a duo, as you will hear. It's a long journey from a tiny island with 60 inhabitants off the coast of Shetland, to the concert halls of the world, and here Catriona and Chris, incredible concert performers on harp and fiddle, talk with Neil about that journey. A big hit at CresFest 2 years ago, it's just great to welcome them back!

Folk Alliance Youth Artists of the year in 2024, Apolline are three great young string players, and they have begun to appear at festivals across Australia and now, overseas. In this podcast, they talk about the people who helped them along the road. Featuring interviews with Felix Meagher of https://lakeschool.com.au/ and Jack Wilson of https://www.melbournescottishfiddlers.com/

Mickey and Michelle are a Victorian fiddle, harp and vocal duo building an exciting name for themselves in acoustic music circles in Australia. This week, with Neil, they talk about establishing themselves as music festival and venue favourites in Australia, about composing and arranging... and about their love of long-distance hiking!

One of the great things about CresFest is the Conversation program. Musicians, artists, historians, community activists, all have appeared at the festival in public conversation with our two prize interviewers Cate Kennedy, Australian writer, and James Freemantle, media presenter and film maker. CresFest is so lucky to have such experienced professionals running this part of the program. In this episode, they talk with Neil about their favourite interviews from past CresFests, and what's coming up this year.

Archer has a fascinating wide-ranging career in folk and country music across the world, but also leads an unexpected life on a country property not far from Creswick. Neil and Archer spent some hours together talking about both.