53: Life Inside the Botanical Gardens

Nick Prince received the prestigious Florence Nightingale Medal from the International Red Cross, recognising his 30 years of exceptional service as a nurse. The award honoured his dedication to providing healthcare in challenging environments, including armed conflicts and natural disasters. Nick became the first Australian male recipient of this esteemed international distinction.

Ian Rossiter shares his unique experiences living in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. From overseeing the gardens to managing dramatic events like major floods and vandalism of iconic statues, Ian recounts life in the Curator's Cottage, balancing work, family, and community responsibilities during his career with the City of Ballarat.

Today, we conclude the powerful story of Charles Edwards, a World War II soldier captured at Parit Sulong in Malaysia. In this episode, we follow his journey to Japan, where he was taken to the Ohama prison camp (Hiroshima POW Camp #9-B) which was operating as a coal mine outside Hiroshima. Still in captivity, Charles witnessed the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima—a moment that forever changed the course of history and his life.

Part 2: Initially imprisoned in Pudu Jail, the remaining members of the 2/19th Battalion were allocated to external work parties. Charles Edwards found himself with the largest of these groups and was sent to work on the Burma-Thailand railway at Hellfire Pass.

Charles Edwards was a Prisoner of War in World War 2 spending a total of 1301 days in captivity. His bloody yet compelling story is one of extreme courage, sacrifice and a lot of luck.

In 1998, twenty hours into an abduction case involving a 16-year-old girl, Sergeant Peter Anderson was alone, crawling through a 100 year-old mineshaft with a dodgy torch. As he moved ahead through the damp tunnel, he came across a roll of black tape, a shovel and a large roll of plastic. He now feared the worst possible outcome.

Andrew Wallace has spent the last 20 years as a dedicated pathways co-ordinator helping students think about their future; but Andrew is also deeply passionate about the past.  Serving as a current member and former president of the Ballarat Historical Society, the group actively contributes to preserving and archiving local historical facts, reflecting their commitment to the community’s heritage.

David O’Neill’s Journey, is one woven with words. Crafting rhymes at the age of 15, he turned that skill into a thriving career in journalism and communication.  Now Dave is pursuing his dream of becoming a published author. He sat down and chatted with us about his first book "The Seagull that soared".

If you live in Ballarat, there’s a good chance you know Liana Emerson from somewhere. Maybe the Ballarat National Theatre? Winning this year’s Citizen of the year? Perhaps you know her from her band or possibly the tweed ride? Or maybe it’s from her personal style blog Finding Femme? There’s once thing for certain though …Liana knows herself. 

Andrew Sutherland, a multi-talented individual, possessing a unique blend of skills while maintaining an unassuming demeanour. As a poet, playwright, author, singer and lecturer, he has spent the past two decades away from Ballarat, dedicating his time to teaching in China. Now, he has returned to his hometown, bringing with him a wealth of experiences and insights.