Series to connect people

Community spirit and connection are behind a new podcast series delivered by the Dardanup Shire Council, sharing the experiences of successful and hard-working people with others from the same region. The new series, launching tomorrow, was inspired by the success of the Front Porch Project, which saw professional photographs taken of families and people from their front yard while coronavirus restrictions were still in place, and a desire to tell the stories of local people. The new project forms part of the council’s Connect Dardanup campaign, following on from its I Heart Dardanup campaign launched earlier this year. The first of eight 30-minute episodes will be released, hosted by former university lecturer Richard Stacey. The first episode is a discussion with Bull and Barrell Festival organiser and prominent Dardanup identity Jill Cross, after the festival was cancelled this year due to coronavirus restrictions. Shire president Mick Bennett said he was excited by the project and was already looking forward to potential expansions. “Podcasts are such a valuable tool for people to connect, explore and learn,” he said. “We are excited to see how the project is received but I can already imagine we will be exploring ways to expand Connect Dardanup in the future as a way of keeping residents in the loop on grassroots happenings in their local community.” Recording equipment was supplied by Bunbury Community Radio and guests include Australian hockey player Jake Harvie, musician Dylan Newport and indigenous artist Troy Bennell.