COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS PODCAST
Latest Episode
In today’s episode, we are joined by Anna Martin, lawyer and founder of the Untangle Project. Anna shares here journey of overcoming a 20-year gambling addiction. She realised that women deserved a better space to seek help, support and to advocate for change, and created The Untangle Project with the aim to provide a resource for women to recover in their own way, in the own time and through their own methods. Anna dives into the Untangled Project’s focus on providing non-judgmental support for women, emphasising the unique challenges women face including guilt, shame, and fear. Anna also discusses the need for better support systems for those struggling.
We are also joined by Sally McLaren from the Hackham community Centre who details the centre’s efforts in supporting families, providing grief guidance and the challenges the centre faces to secure funding and a space to expand their services.
Where to Listen
Be sure to listen via Spotify, Apple Podcasts or the web player, weekly and follow our socials to stay notified as each episode is released.
About the Podcast
The Community Conversations Podcast will feature stories and information on community development efforts, the programs being run by our members and general community interest topics. Across the State of South Australia there are volunteers and staff helping our community members to find connections, access to food, housing and education in an environment that welcomes everyone to their doors. Community Centres are open for anyone and provide place based activities to enrich the lives of our community. We will be interviewing Community Centre members, community connection partners and community stakeholders who will share their experiences, activities and upcoming events.
The Podcast is aimed at highlighting the good work being done to make a difference at the grassroots level to address issues such as loneliness, homelessness, social injustice and how to improve wellbeing of our communities. Be sure to listen every week as we release each episode. The podcast will be easily accessible on our website and can be downloaded on your preferred podcast platforms.
Meet the Host
Kerrie Akkermans
Kerrie Akkermans, CEO of CCSA, is an avid supporter of the community sector. With years of experience as a broadcaster on FIVEaa, Kerrie has a natural ability to connect with guests and delve into their lived experiences and stories. Kerrie’s passion for supporting communities and sharing stories makes for an engaging and insightful listening experience.
Episodes
In today’s episode, we are joined by Anna Martin, lawyer and founder of the Untangle Project. Anna shares here journey of overcoming a 20-year gambling addiction. She realised that women deserved a better space to seek help, support and to advocate for change, and created The Untangle Project with the aim to provide a resource for women to recover in their own way, in the own time and through their own methods. Anna dives into the Untangled Project’s focus on providing non-judgmental support for women, emphasizing the unique challenges women face including guilt, shame, and fear. Anna also discusses the need for better support systems for those struggling.
We are also joined by Sally McLaren from the Hackham community Centre who details the centre’s efforts in supporting families, providing grief guidance and the challenges the centre faces to secure funding and a space to expand their services.
In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Priscilla Thomas — a board member at Our Town KI and a dedicated program facilitator. With a strong background as an educator and community activator, Priscilla has spent several years working to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for children in the APY Lands with Anangu Education Services and Leaders Group. Our Town KI is a not-for-profit organisation supporting community-driven mental health and wellbeing initiatives on Kangaroo Island.
Priscilla shares insights into the organisation’s involvement in over 30 projects, including community breakfasts for the Black Dog Ride and a homegrown Fringe show that showcases local Kangaroo Island talent. She also speaks about the unique challenges of rural life and geographic isolation and highlights a powerful student-led campaign against drink driving — an initiative that has resulted in a range of awareness materials across the Island. She also outlines how Our Town KI is addressing loneliness and isolation among the elderly, with the support from youth music groups.
In this episode, we’re joined by Professor Michael Baigent for an in-depth conversation about gambling addiction in Australia. Michael highlights the complex role gambling plays in the economy while also exposing the profound harm it causes individuals and communities. He explores the emotional, financial, and even physical toll on those seeking help, and discusses evidence-based treatments, particularly the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in addressing gambling disorders.
We’re also joined by Kate Martin from the Southern Yorke Peninsula Community Hub, who shares the vital work her team is doing to support the local community. From digital literacy classes to community resilience programs and legal aid, Kate provides insight into the real-world solutions being implemented to tackle the unique challenges facing regional Australians.
This week, we’re joined by Julie Black and Jessica Merrick from NFP Success to explore the pressing challenges facing not-for-profit organisations. They delve into key topics including board governance, financial sustainability, cybersecurity, and AI.
Julie highlights the importance of strong board quality, effective training, and strategic planning, especially in light of the significant decline in volunteers post-COVID. Jessica discusses the financial strain on not-for-profits, along with the escalating risks of cybersecurity threats, the impact of AI, and the urgent need for climate governance. Tuen in for this essential conversation on navigating the future in the not-for-profit sector.
In this week’s episode, John Peacock, CEO of Associations Forum, explores the powerful parallels between associations and community centres. He dives into the key elements that drive success in the non-profit sector, emphasizing the importance of strong governance, transparent financial planning, and effective strategic planning. John highlights the vital role of passionate volunteers and offers practical advice on membership engagement, benchmarking, and organisational transparency.
He also shares tips on how community centres can differentiate between members and clients, optimize board size and tenure, and ultimately foster greater community impact. Tune in for insights and expert advice on how associations and community centres can thrive in today’s landscape.
In this episode, we are joined by Karen Bevan, CEO of Full Stop Australia. Karen discusses the prevalence of domestic and family violence, and the outdated laws which do not adequately address sexual violence in Australia. Karen, also shares the organization’s 50-year history of supporting sexual assault survivors, offering services like national helplines and trauma counseling. She highlights the need for early education on consent and bodily autonomy.
We also hear from Rebecca at the Eastwood Community Center, who discusses their weekly ACE (Adult Community Education) programs, including financial literacy workshops and engagement activities. Rebecca also shares the importance of informal community engagement and volunteering. Tune in for an important discussion on these critical issues.
Contact Us
Send us your feedback, ideas for future episodes or contact our team if you would like to be a guest on the podcast.
info@communitycentressa.asn.au