Radio Woodfordia

"The wastewater doesn't lie."You've walked past it a hundred times without knowing it's there. Beneath the stages, the food stalls, and the dusty paths of Woodford Folk Festival runs more than 50 kilometres of sewers — and a treatment system so sophisticated it's now a cover story in American engineering magazines and a blueprint for festivals around the world.Harley Breen sits down with Ben Kele, the quietly hilarious wastewater engineer who has been running Woodfordia's decentralised water system for the past 16 years. What begins as a conversation about poo quickly becomes something much bigger: a story about world-leading science, practical environmentalism, and what it looks like when a festival takes its responsibilities to the land seriously.Ben explains how Woodford processes up to a million litres of wastewater a day during the festival — every drop treated on site, with not a single litre trucked in or out. He talks about the unique challenge of a system that swings from 15,000 litres on a quiet construction day to a million litres on the 27th of December, what the water chemistry reveals about who's on site and what they've been drinking, and how a small research project that started right here at Woodford became the foundation for Australia's national pharmaceutical wastewater tracking program — now used by public health agencies and federal law enforcement nationwide. He also tells the story of his brother Andrew, a flannel dressing gown, a dozen flushed bras, and a very unfortunate encounter with Chris Martin.This episode is for:Anyone who's ever wondered what actually happens when 130,000 people flushPeople who believe the most interesting infrastructure is the kind you never seeAnyone who finds genuine joy in a person who is brilliant at something the rest of us would rather not think aboutDive in to hear about:How Woodfordia became the unlikely birthplace of Australia's national drug-detection-via-wastewater program — and the AFP funding that got it startedWhat the water chemistry difference is between a Woodford Folk Festival crowd and other music festival crowds — and what it says about what people choose to drinkWhy composting toilets work brilliantly in Tasmania and terribly in a Queensland summer, and the fly hatching cycle that explains everythingThe story of Andrew the bog monster, a flannel dressing gown, a dozen flushed bras, and a very famous rock star who witnessed the whole thing from a stretch limousineTo come to the Woodford Folk Festival this year visit: https://woodfordfolkfestival.com/FOR MORE: Harley Breen: https://www.harleybreen.com.au Ben Kele and Arris Water:Woodford Folk Festival Water System — Arris Water Case Study: https://www.arris.com.au/water/water-projects/queensland-folk-federation-qld/Woodford Folk Festival feature — The Onsite Journal, Summer 2024: https://www.nowra.org/Customer-Content/www/news/PDFs/Onsite_Journal_Summer_2024_Online.pdfCREDITS: Host: Harley Breen | Guest: Ben Kele | Executive Producer: Benny Wallington | Producers: Cameron Scurrah, Bree Hickson-Jamieson | Sound Editing: Keiron Atkinson | Video Editing: Nick Haddow | Music by: The East Pointers | Recorded on Jinibara Country#RadioWoodfordia #BenKeele #HarleyBreen #WoodfordFolkFestival #Woodfordia #WastewaterManagement #Sustainability #Environment #MusicFestivals #FestivalLife #Podcast #WaterScienceKey topics:Decentralized water systems for festivalsInnovative wastewater treatment techniquesResearch and monitoring of pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs in wastewater

"It's either your first Woodford or your hundredth Woodford. I think that’s how it works."This episode was recorded live from the Woodford Folk Festival as part of First Wine of the Day. It's New Year's Day, the final show, and the ironed-on Woodfordians are the only ones left standing. Harley missed the three minutes of silence after “overestimating his New Year’s Eve resilience.” Nikki spent hers at the pond thinking about her dog. Bars manager Linus turns up running on fumes but still manages to school everyone on Sauvignon Blanc. Business as usual.The astrologer said we're heading into seven of the greatest years ever to unfold on planet Earth. The Forest of Goodwill campaign is well underway, with the community steadily working toward its 5.7 million dollar goal. And somewhere under the AmphiGrande sign, there may or may not be buried treasure — courtesy of comedian Shad Wicka, who also reads the most heartfelt, hilarious love letter to Woodford you'll hear all year. Thea Newton pulls back the curtain on the Great Band Competition — 68 musicians, 15 randomly assembled bands, 24 hours to make something extraordinary. Holly Austin makes a live pitch for Kite Choir, an international peace project involving 200 kites, children's voices from around the world, and a sky full of sound. And Sunshine Coast brothers Frank and Louis, aged 17 and 19, close out the entire series with a song that makes Harley wish his kids were watching.This episode is for:Anyone who's ever been converted to something they didn't think they wanted to go toPeople who believe the world is about to get a lot better — cosmically speakingAnyone who knows that the last day of a festival belongs to a very special kind of humanDive in to hear about:Shad Wicka's letter to Woodford — from cult sceptic to true believer in five daysWhat Puglia, Italy has in common with the whole of Australia — a wine fact that will surprise youHow 68 strangers became 15 bands in 24 hours at the Great Band CompetitionTo come to the Woodford Folk Festival and FWOD next year visit: https://woodfordfolkfestival.com/FOR MORE:Frank & Louis: https://www.instagram.com/frankandlouismusicHolly Austin: https://www.hollyaustin.netShad Wicka: https://www.instagram.com/wickedshadHarley Breen: https://www.harleybreen.com.auNikki Britton: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibrittonA Forest of Goodwill: https://aforestofgoodwill.woodfordia.comCREDITS:Hosts: Harley Breen, Nikki BrittonGuests: Shad Wicka, Thea Newton, Holly Austin, Frank & Louis, Linus WilsonProducer: Bree Hickson-JamiesonExecutive Producers: Benny Wallington, Georgia ShawArtwork: Hannah RoseSocial Media: Eliza CowanAssistant: Madeline CorcoranCamera Operators: Amelie Barham, Ben 'Tofty' ToftEditing: Amelie BarhamMusic by: The East PointersRecorded on Jinibara Country#RadioWoodfordia #FrankAndLouie #ShadWicka #HollyAustin #WoodfordFolkFestival #HarleyBreen #NikkiBritton #LivePodcast #Woodfordia #NewYearsDay #FolkMusic #LiveMusic #Comedy

One of the best descriptions of Woodford Folk Festival you'll ever hear comes from a friend experiencing it for the very first time: “Oh my god, it’s utopia.”"I think it is a place that brings out the best in people."-- Kate Miller-HeidkeThis episode was recorded live from the Woodford Folk Festival as part of First Wine of the Day. It's New Year's Eve, day five, Harley's voice is nearly gone, and Nikki Britton almost missed the show after getting stuck in her swimmers in a festival bathroom. Business as usual.Bar manager and sommelier Linus Wilson breaks down aromatic grapes, orange wine, and the one food and wine pairing you should never attempt. Harley's eldest son Leonard drops in as surprise co-host and promptly roasts his father in front of a live audience. Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall play a brand new song born out of Melbourne's COVID lockdown — a darkly funny apocalypse plan about the people you'd actually want in your corner when the ship goes down. And the Mast Gully Fellers close out day five with two songs about pubs, gold miners, and the eternal Australian pursuit of a cold drink after six o'clock.This episode is for:Anyone who's ever loved a place so much it changes the way they move through the worldPeople who spent COVID lockdown making questionable plans and even more questionable decisionsAnyone knows someone who’s been kicked out of a pub and still thinks they were in the rightDive in to hear about:Why Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall have been coming to Woodford since they were teenagers — and why they met here, fell for each other here, and keep coming backThe apocalypse survival song Kate and Keir wrote during Melbourne's 100-day lockdown — and the people they'd need in their cornerLeonard Breen's New Year's resolution: less girlfriends, more dirt bikesTo come to the Woodford Folk Festival and FWOD next year visit: https://woodfordfolkfestival.com/FOR MORE: Kate Miller-Heidke: https://www.katemillerheidke.com Keir Nuttall: https://www.keirnuttall.com Mast Gully Fellas: https://www.instagram.com/mastgullyfellers Harley Breen: https://www.harleybreen.com.au Nikki Britton: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibrittonCREDITS: Hosts: Harley Breen, Nikki Britton Guests: Kate Miller-Heidke, Keir Nuttall, Mast Gully Fellers, Linus Wilson, Leonard Breen Producer: Bree Hickson-Jamieson Executive Producers: Benny Wallington, Georgia Shaw Artwork: Hannah Rose Social Media: Eliza Cowan Assistant: Madeline Corcoran Camera Operators: Amelie Barham, Ben 'Tofty' Toft Editing: Amelie Barham Music by: The East Pointers Recorded on Jinibara Country#RadioWoodfordia #KateMiller-Heidke #KeirNuttall #MastGullyFellers #WoodfordFolkFestival #HarleyBreen #NikkiBritton #LivePodcast #Woodfordia #NewYearsEve #FolkMusic #LiveMusic #Comedy #OrangeWine

"We might not have achieved what we wanted to, but by Jesus we tried."This episode was recorded live from the Woodford Folk Festival as part of First Wine of the Day. Day four, and Harley Breen and Nikki Britton are running on fumes, festival feeling, and a very good chilled red. They'd already cried before the show started — two men had just got married on the hill, and their friends sang to them. That's Woodford.Bar manager and sommelier Linus Wilson opens with a lesson in Beaujolais-style winemaking, Professor Ian Lowe delivers one of the most quietly galvanising conversations about our relationship with the natural world you'll hear anywhere, The Cartridge Family play two songs about tolerance and mismatched love, and Katie Noonan — in her 30th year at Woodford — closes the show with a performance dedicated to Quandamooka Country.This episode is for:Anyone who needs a reminder that the natural world is worth fighting for — and that the fight is winnableAnyone who loves a love story between two people who probably shouldn't work — but absolutely doAnyone who's ever cried at a Folk Festival and didn't even try to stopDive in to hear about:The hoop pine Ian Lowe planted at the first Woodford Folk Festival — now standing 20 metres tallWhy Professor Ian Lowe believes we're pulling random bricks out of the wall of life — and what we owe the generations coming after usKatie Noonan's 30th Woodford, her 30th album, and a song performed on the 30th of December — some things are just meant to happenTo come to the Woodford Folk Festival and FWOD next year visit: https://woodfordfolkfestival.com/FOR MORE:Katie Noonan: https://www.katienoonan.com.auThe Cartridge Family: https://www.instagram.com/the_cartridge_family_bandProfessor Ian Lowe: https://experts.griffith.edu.au/9862-ian-lowe Harley Breen: https://www.harleybreen.com.auNikki Britton: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibrittonCREDITS:Hosts: Harley Breen, Nikki BrittonGuests: Professor Ian Lowe, Rusty Berther & The Cartridge Family, Katie Noonan, Linus WilsonProducer: Bree Hickson-JamiesonExecutive Producers: Benny Wallington, Georgia ShawArtwork: Hannah RoseSocial Media: Eliza CowanAssistant: Madeline CorcoranCamera Operators: Amelie Barham, Ben 'Tofty' ToftEditing: Amelie BarhamMusic by: The East PointersRecorded on Jinibara Country#RadioWoodfordia #KatieNoonan #IanLowe #TheCartridgeFamily #WoodfordFolkFestival #HarleyBreen #NikkiBritton #LivePodcast #Woodfordia #Biodiversity #FolkMusic #Conservation #Comedy #LiveMusic

One of the best reviews of Woodford Folk Festival you'll ever hear comes second-hand, from a new friend named Neil.This episode was recorded live from the Woodford Folk Festival as part of First Wine of the Day. Day three, and Harley Breen has finally had a shower. With Nikki Britton stranded on the Bruce Highway (again), comedian Oliver Clark steps in as co-host — and promptly gets upstaged by a surprise grandma in full polyester, and the national treasure that is Dr. Karl.Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki breaks down the three-part formula behind his seemingly infinite knowledge, sings a surprisingly committed rendition of Bad Case of Loving You, and reminds us all that science is simply a way to not get fooled. Then UK folk troubadour Beans on Toast, fresh off his first ever Woodford appearances the day before, drops in to play two songs — opening with the kind of song that sneaks up on you with Send Me a Bird, before closing out with the crowd singalong Beano, a love letter to Australian slang.This episode is for:Anyone who's ever had their faith in humanity restored by a communityPeople who want to know how Dr. Karl actually knows everythingAnyone who needs a good cry followed immediately by a singalong about prawnsDive in to hear about:What happens when your co-host gets stranded on the Bruce Highway and someone's grandma shows up insteadThe three-part formula Dr. Karl uses to make complex knowledge stick — and why a surprise midnight visit from a Hollywood A-lister is involvedBeans on Toast finding a home at Woodford on his very first visitTo come to the Woodford Folk Festival and FWOD next year visit: https://woodfordfolkfestival.com/FOR MORE:Beans on Toast: https://www.beansontoastmusic.comDr. Karl: https://drkarl.comOliver Clark: https://www.instagram.com/theoliverclarkHarley Breen: https://www.harleybreen.com.auNikki Britton: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibrittonCREDITS:Hosts: Harley Breen, Nikki BrittonGuests: Oliver Clark, Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki, Beans on Toast, GrannyProducer: Bree Hickson-JamiesonExecutive Producers: Benny Wallington, Georgia ShawArtwork: Hannah RoseSocial Media: Eliza CowanAssistant: Madeline CorcoranCamera Operators: Amelie Barham, Ben 'Tofty' ToftEditing: Amelie BarhamMusic by: The East PointersRecorded on Jinibara Country#RadioWoodfordia #DrKarl #BeansOnToast #OliverClark #WoodfordFolkFestival #HarleyBreen #NikkiBritton #LivePodcast #Woodfordia #FolkMusic #LiveMusic #Comedy

"Every time you visit Woodford you leave a different person."This episode was recorded live from the Woodford Folk Festival as part of First Wine of the Day. Harley Breen and co-host Nikki Britton open with one of the most quietly beautiful moments Radio Woodfordia has captured — the story of a she-oak walking stick, a stranger's generosity, and a carving made from a sapling found during a wilderness rites of passage ceremony. It's the kind of story that reminds you why Woodford exists.Poet Nick Grivas then takes the room by storm with his searing and uncomfortably accurate slam piece Chasing Cheap Dopamine, Bobby Alu plays the song that soundtracked the birth of Harley's first child, bars manager Linus Wilson finally explains what orange wine actually is, and the Beddy Rays close out with their very first Woodford performance.This episode is for:Anyone who needs to feel something real todayPeople who've ever been handed an unexpected gift by a strangerAnyone who's checked their phone at least once while listening to thisDive in to hear about:A she-oak walking stick, a family heirloom, and a gift returnedChasing Cheap Dopamine — slam poetry for the accidental cyborg in all of usThe truth about orange wine (and why sediment is your friend)To come to the Woodford Folk Festival and FWOD next year visit: https://woodfordfolkfestival.com/FOR MORE: Bobby Alu: https://www.bobbyalu.com Nick Grivas Liquid Lyrics: https://www.instagram.com/liquid_lyricsBeddy Rays: https://www.beddyrays.com/ Harley Breen: https://www.harleybreen.com.auNikki Britton: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibrittonCREDITS: Hosts: Harley Breen, Nikki Britton Guests: Nick Grivas, Bobby Alu, Linus Wilson, Beddy Rays Producer: Bree Hickson-Jamieson Executive Producers: Benny Wallington, Georgia Shaw Artwork: Hannah Rose Social Media: Eliza Cowan Assistant: Madeline Corcoran Town Cryer: Ché Pritchard Camera Operators: Amelie Barham, Ben 'Tofty' Toft Editing: Amelie Barham Music by: The East Pointers Recorded on Jinibara Country#RadioWoodfordia #BobbyAlu #NickGrivas #BeddyRays #WoodfordFolkFestival #HarleyBreen #NikkiBritton #SlamPoetry #LivePodcast #Woodfordia

This episode was recorded live from the Woodford Folk Festival as part of the 'First Wine of the Day' and might just be better to watch on youtube if you can (not while driving please)Harley Breen alongside his cohost Nikki Britton, who arrives fashionably late after spending 12 hours on the Bruce Highway, light up the Piano Bar delighting the crowd with lots of cracking guests. fruity wine and funnies to keep you giggling. The ep features a custom-built pram vehicle (featuring trap doors, LED lights, an underground esky and a nutty contraption). We introduce a man described as 'Woodford', Costa Georgiadis, who as no beef with his new mate Brett Blake, and a surprise musical performance from the spectacular Jen Wynter.Costa shares why Woodford lit a fire in him that hasn't stopped burning since Bill first extended the invite. The importance of building mud pie kitchens in the children's festival to performing covers in Greek while wearing a silver unitard at 2am, Costa embodies the playful, joyful spirit that makes Woodford wild and special and weird in the best kind of way.Settle in, you might learn a thing or two about wine as well from Woodford's wine connoisseur and Bars Manager Linus Wilson. Muck Yeah!This episode is for:Anyone who needs a bloody laughPeople whose friends went to First Wine and feel FOMO they missed itAnyone who's felt isolated by modern technologyParents looking for ways to pass on childlike wonderFestival-goers who understand why Woodford feels like coming homeDive in to hear about:"Worm alerts"The Bruce Highway and muck in the bottom of fine wineHow to build a multi-purpose Radio Woodfordia promo vehicleHow to play Scrabble and give nil f*cks about a live show right next to you. Awesome.To come to the Woodford Folk Festival and FWOD next year visit: https://woodfordfolkfestival.com/FOR MORE:Harley Breen: https://www.harleybreen.com.auNikki Britton: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibrittonCosta Georgiadis: https://costasworld.com.au/Jen Wynter: https://www.jennywynter.com/ Brett Blake: https://www.brettblake.com.au/CREDITS: Hosts: Harley Breen, Nikki BrittonGuests: Costa Georgiadis, Brett Blake, Jenny Winter, Linus WilsonProducer: Bree Hickson-JamiesonExecutive Producers: Benny Wallington, Georgia ShawArtwork: Hannah RoseSocial Media: Eliza CowanAssistant: Madeline CorcoranTown Cryer: Ché PritchardCamera Operators: Amelie Barham, Ben 'Tofty' ToftVideo editing: Amelie BarhamMusic by: The East PointersSpecial thanks: Linus and the Piano Bar team Recorded on Jinibara Country#RadioWoodfordia #CostaGeorgiadis #BrettBlake #JennyWinter #WoodfordFolkFestival #HarleyBreen #NikkiBritton #GardeningAustralia #Woodfordia #LivePodcast

"Why can't we just live at Woodfordia? And why isn't this just how we all live?"In this episode, Harley sits down with Katie Noonan. It's Katie's 30th year at Woodford, and she's just finished her 30th studio album - serendipitous! Katie's Woodford journey started in 1995 when she won the Woodford band competition (prize: a ticket to next year's festival). That hook worked, and she's been back every year since, volunteering, performing with her band george, performing solo, with her family, and now with her new album "Alone But All One," which she's premiering at the festival.But this isn't just a musician's story. It's about growiing up with the opera-singing mum and witnessing the super talented Jeff Buckley at 18, before deciding to become a "musical weirdo." Katie now runs the Eumundi School of Music to provide children with free music education and still references Woodford as her church. This episode is for:Musicians wondering if they can survive making art in the streaming eraParents trying to explain to their kids why music matters more than moneyAnyone who's ever left Woodford wondering "why can't life be like this?"Dive in to hear about:Taking on Jeff Buckley's five-octave range (the ultimate artistic challenge)Brisbane's unique 90s music scene The joys and struggles of Woodford campingTo learn more about Katie Noonan: https://www.katienoonan.com.au/To come to the Woodford Folk Festival: https://woodfordfolkfestival.com/FOR MORE: Harley Breen: https://www.harleybreen.com.auCREDITS:Host: Harley BreenGuest: Katie NoonanProducer: Benny WallingtonExecutive Producers: Cameron Scurrah, Bree Hickson-Jamieson, Georgia ShawVideo editing: Amelie BarhamAudio mastering: Kieron AtkinsonMusic by: The East PointersRecorded on Jinibara Country#RadioWoodfordia #KatieNoonan #George #WoodfordFolkFestival #JeffBuckley #AustralianMusic #HarleyBreen #Woodfordia