We reflect upon the work and life of Don Dunstan, born 21/9/1926. He was the Labor Premier of South Australia for 2 terms and he drove legislative reforms to sweep away outdated concepts. Most importantly he obtained the decriminalization of homosexuality in 1975  – the first state in Australia to do so. He was a civil libertarian and humanist, and influential in strengthening democracy, helping Indigenous people get more self-determination, pushing multiculturalism forward and addressing the powers of the police force in his state. He spent the last decade of his life in a gay relationship.

Are you aware of the recent revelation that one of the Queen’s cousins is about to enter into a same-sex marriage? How modern is this? We contrast this situation with a much earlier royal, King Edward II, who was removed from office and tortured to death in 1327 for his active homosexuality.

Animals are quite often used in tests where safety for humans has not been established – consider the role of real guinea-pigs. We recall the first hot-air balloon and Sputnik 5 when innocent animals left Earth and were sent on adventures. There is no need to be reminded that man is the greatest eliminator of other species on Earth. The extinction of koalas in NSW by 2050 is predicted.

Listen to these stories, opinions and more – presented with some merriment (where appropriate) by Chris, Gordon & Phil.

Show #822 – First broadcast on 18 September 2018

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Among gay identities having anniversaries at this time are J.Edgar Hoover of FBI fame, Sir Nigel Hawthorne the fine actor in BBC TV’s’ Yes Minister’ and Christopher Isherwood – novelist/Cabaret story theme, and singer/actress Marlene Dietrich.

This week we acknowledge the birthdays of Louis Pasteur and his treatment of milk to eliminate the ‘nasties’ – a practice we call ‘pasteurisation’.

Another French man of fame at this time is Louis Braille and his system of raised dots for reading by touch. Our final French remembrance at this time is the 2014 bombing of the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine.

Our final saga is about the humble drinking straw.

Plus some trivia and mirth and much more ….

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In world history, we examine how historical events sometimes get distorted when fame and fortunes are sought in deference to celebrating the truth. We note that the claim of being first to fly a heavier-than-air aeroplane (currently considered to be the US Wright Brothers) is disputed by counter-claims by Gustave Whitehead who flew much earlier. History ‘loses’ Whitehead’s story.

Our second example of loss of fame concerns Alfred Wallace who actually provided many of the theories on evolution by his own discoveries, and who jointly publicly presented common findings with Charles Darwin. But it is Wallace’s name which has faded from memory.

We record how man is trashing the Earth with pollution and overpopulation, nuclear poisons, denuding the soil and fouling the seas. Now man is abusing the earth’s atmosphere and near space with all manner of space junk.

Plus some trivia and mirth and much more ….

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We celebrate birthdays of lesbian icon k.d.lang –a  Canadian singer with a pure and mellifluous voice; also ALP Senate Leader– Penny Wong; and controversial US photographer of the 1970s & 80s Robert Mapplethorpe. Also one of our own has his birthday this week.  Happy Birthday Phil!

Other anniversaries this week include Finnish artist Tom of Finland (died:1991) best known for his very masculine homoerotic drawings; and Pete Burns, British frontman of pop group Dead or Alive who died only last month–a bisexual man with a ‘fluid’ gender.

We also chat about Greenwich Mean Time, world time zones and world DNA trails.

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Our hosts give a brief preview of the Northside Bizarre 2016 which raises funds for Joy 94.9 and the David Williams Fund (VAC).  It’s on from 1 to 7pm at The Laird Hotel on 15 October.

There are many gay and lesbian birthdays this week including –1) the former Mayor of Berlin Klaus Wowereit who came out just before running for mayor, to beat the newspapers; 2) THE celebrity photographer of our generation–Annie Leibovitz; 3) US writer and intellectual Gore Vidal who was seen as an early champion of sexual liberation  and 4) a US singer with a distinctive voice  and memorable hit songs–Janis Joplin. Also, people who died this week are actor Rock Hudson who put a public face onto the AIDS epidemic and comedian Graham Chapman of Monty Python fame.

The Victorian Seniors Festival has started (2 to 9 October) and our hosts talk about the New Moves: High Tea for LGBTI Elders and their allies–on 7 October. Bookings are essential. Phil gives Catherine Barrett’s email as a contact for this. Also there are 4 dance classes via the LGBTI-dance-club from 24 to 28 October. Again bookings are essential and Tristan Meecham’s details are on the website.

Tim talks about some of his background and also entertains/informs us with anecdotes throughout the show. Apart from doing the news for 22 years at Joy, his day job in years prior was as a print journalist and he has also long been a keen photographer. Later, ever the newsman, Tim tells of a recent drug trial in the UK where one man was completely cured of HIV!!

In 1902 this week there was a law passed that allowed people to swim in the daylight!! But only in Neck-to-knee swimwear. This conversation segways on to shark attacks and Phil advises most of these happen at sunrise or sunset!

On 4 October 1797, the first of the Spanish Merino sheep arrived in Australia for John MacArthur–arranged by the stud master (an ancestor of Tim’s!).

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First topic is the football–where the Western Bulldogs just beat Greater Western Sydney in a ‘nail-biter’ to secure their spot in the AFL Grand Final with the Sydney Swans.

Gay Birthdays this week are African-American singer and high-jumper Johnny Mathis; Aussie singer/actor Tim Campbell and US writer Truman Capote  Also, the multi-talented showman, dancer& choreographer Robert Helpmann died this week in 1986.

Our hosts discuss how for 2 centuries, the humble tomato or ‘wolf-peach’, was considered poisonous! Also, how many tomatoes in this day and age, have no taste.

Coming up soon is Victorian Senior’s Week –on from 2 to 9 October. Our hosts continue the pre-recorded interview played last week with LGBTI aged-care specialist Catherine Barrett and artist Tristan Meecham. Catherine talks about the particular challenges and abuse these elders face and the changes that are happening and the resources available. Tristan talks about events (in collaboration with Catherine) at Senior’s week especially for LGBTI people. An event- New Moves-kick-starts ‘the project’ and then the Tango Project starts where LGBTI people move together with advocates and regulators etc over a 12 month period with Catherine as an independent 3^rd person.  Commissioner Rowena Allan is the patron for the project and will chair the first meeting.  LGBTI people can follow the project on the website Alice’s Garage.

Tristan Meecham has a separate pre-recorded interview to talk about his company All The Queen’s Men which is a performance-arts company and often collaborates with community groups, including Catherine Barrett. He talks about what his company does for the senior LGBTI community including an event in October called the Coming Back Out Ball.

Gordon tells us that dancing is a great way of staying fit–and why this is so! Colin and Phil jump on board to talk of their experiences.

Our hosts also discuss Jørn Utzon and the Sydney Opera House–which opened this week in 1973.

And from the controversial to the tasty, our hosts move on to talk about baked beans being canned for the first time–soon turning out to be a popular product.

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First topic is the Great Ocean Road which was built in the Depression and, unbeknownst to many, is a Memorial for the soldiers who fought in the Great War–or World War 1.

Lesbian Birthdays this week include twin Canadian indie singers Tegan and Sara born on 19 September and also English entertainer and writer Sue Perkins, who often appears on QI— born 22 September.

In a pre-recording, Chris and Gordon interview the amazing Catherine Barrett–a pioneer in aged-care, particularly in the LGBTI community. Research has been her main role in recent times but this year she’s branching out into a National program called Alice’s Garage which is about empowering LGBTI elders.  Assisting her in this work are a group of ‘straight-shooting’ elders called the Executive or Exec.  Catherine is from The Opal Institute and there is more info on their website too. Also, there is a Victorian Seniors Festival commencing 2 October and there are 5 events in it for LGBTI seniors. With Catherine in the pre-recording is artist Tristan Meecham from All The Queens Men who (with artist Bec Reid) is involved with the LGBTI dance events at the Seniors Festival.

On 20 September 1853, Elisha Graves Otis invented a stopping mechanism for lifts preventing them from falling if the cable snaps.  So any movies showing lifts plunging to the ground are unrealistic!!

Also this week is International Peace Day!!! There is some scepticism around the studio about this. It’s a great concept but unlikely while mankind is on earth.  This leads on to the topic of the necessity for gun control here; but especially in the USA. Mother Nature gets her revenge on mankind sometimes–wreaking havoc via natural disasters such as the huge dust storm in Sydney in 2009 and the recent floods in Victoria

It’s International Bisexuality Day this week too; which started in 1999. Our hosts discuss the fluidity of human nature.

It’s also the anniversary this week of the Maralinga Atomic bomb tests in the early 1950s–that were led by the English and conducted in outback Australia. Phil explains the workings of nuclear power plants and the problem of what to do with their waste.

Plus some trivia and mirth…

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