Art. Nature. Science. Podcast
This podcast is part of the Art. Nature. Science. Program. Each episode reflects the community of artists, scientists and volunteers working here, and how visitors can explore their work. New episodes are released once or twice a month.
Ep. 1 // Introudcing Binna Burra & the Art. Nature. Science. Program with Steve Noakes & Renata Buziak
Binna Burra is etched in the minds of so many people around the world. In this first episode, host Michelle Walker speaks with Steve Noakes, chair of Binna Burra Lodge, about carrying on the traditions of the spirit of Binna Burra from the early 1930s, and with Dr Renata Buziak, Binna Burra’s first artist in residence and also the Team Leader of the Art.Nature.Science program. Using her innovative biochrome technique, Renata creates a new representation and interpretation of this unique environment. We also hear about how the new Art.Nature.Science program is helping new generations of visitors to connect in creative ways with the incredible nature that’s found at Binna Burra and in Lamington National Park.
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Ep. 2 // Capturing the Landscape with Dave Groom
In this episode, we speak with Dave Groom, a professional artist based on the edge of Lamington National Park. He has been painting and drawing for 25 years and has held over 20 solo exhibitions in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. We explore his approach to landscape painting and his family connection through grandfather, Arthur Groom to Binna Burra’s beginnings. Podcast host: Michelle Walker
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Ep. 3 // Images of Urban & Wild Places with Joachim Froese
Ever struggled to take photographs in the shadows of the rainforest canopy? Want some ideas of how to go about finding ‘your voice’ through photography? In this episode, Michelle is joined by Brisbane based, art photographer Joachim Froese to explore his ideas about capturing the essence of urban and forested environments and how he guides participants to explore this medium for themselves. Podcast host: Michelle Walker
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Ep. 4 // Program Update from Renata Buziak and Writing and Drawing Our Nature Stories with Paula Peeters
Over half way through the first year of the Art.Nature.Science program and Team Leader, Renata Buziak joins us to give an update on how it is all going. Michelle then talks with ecologist and artist, Paula Peeters hearing how she moved from a career in ecology to a practice of art journalling which she shares with participants through her workshops. Podcast host: Michelle Walker
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Ep. 5 // The Art and Life of Vida Lahey
Vida Lahey (1882-1968) is regarded by art critic, Bettina MacAulay, ‘as one of the most influential figures in the history of art in Queensland’. As sister of conservationist, Romeo Lahey, Vida also has connections to Binna Burra. In today’s episode, we hear from Glenn Cooke, a former curator of the Queensland Art Gallery about this important Queensland artist. Glenn is compiling what we know of Vida Lahey’s artworks and shares his knowledge of her art and the positive impact her advocacy work had on many. Podcast host: Michelle Walker
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Ep. 6 // Renata Buziak, Binna Burra’s First Artist-in-Residence
In this episode, we welcome Dr Renata Buziak back to the podcast to talk about her innovative ‘Biochrome’ techniques and experience of the first artist-in-residence on the mountain. Podcast host: Michelle Walker
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Ep. 7 // Sounds and Stories of the Forest with Miranda Braakhuis and Helen Stubbs
Being surrounded by the sounds and experiences of the forest is an inspiration for our 2 guests joining us for today’s episode. Ecologist Miranda Braakhuis shares wonderful stories of her koala research and how she partners with tracker dogs for this important work, and writer Helen Stubbs takes us on a journey of considering how forests are portrayed within stories – are they the heroes or the villian? Podcast host: Michelle Walker
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Ep. 8 // Tales of Binna Burra during the 60s & 70s with Tony Groom
In this episode, we explore the history of Binna Burra and its creative arts programs with Tony Groom, son of Arthur Groom who co-founded the lodge on Mt Roberts with Romeo Lahey. Tony tells us about growing up at Binna Burra and returning to manage the lodge in the late 60s with wife Connie as well as the impact of his Churchill Fellowship trip to North America in 1975, which inspired a number of new initiatives on the mountain including the building of the Senses Trail and formation of the Lamington Natural History Association. Podcast host: Michelle Walker
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Ep. 9 // Impressions of Light and Nature with Andrew Watson & Helle Cook
Printmaker, Andrew Watson and Installation artist and Painter, Helle Cook talk about their art making, how the impressions of nature and light inspire their work and some stories that emerged from their workshops ran as part of the Art.Nature.Science program. Podcast host: Michelle Walker
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Ep. 10 // Stories from Marjorie Groom’s Pottery Shed with Lucy Schluter
Grandaughter of Arthur and Marjorie Groom, Lucy Schluter tells the stories of the Creative Arts program that began at Binna Burra in the late 60s and continued through til the early 80s. As a potter, Lucy shares her recollections of pottery through her first experiences with her nanna to her guiding the hand-building workshop as part of the Art. Nature. Science program this year. Podcast host: Michelle Walker
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Ep. 11 // Marks & Memories of Binna Burra with Michelle Walker
In this episode, podcast host Michelle Walker the usual host of the podcast is in the hotseat. She shares her childhood stories of Binna Burra from the 70s including tales of her fascination for strangler figs and bowerbirds as a youngster, and traces her role in National Parks writing the first management plan for Lamington National Parks, and now her return to the mountain to explore her passion for creativity with others.
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Ep. 12 // Year #1: That’s a Wrap!
In this episode, we welcome two guests back to the podcast today – Dr Renata Buziak, Binna Burra’s first artist-in-residence and Steve Noakes, the Chairperson for Binna Burra Lodge. Renata and Steve joined us in Episode 1 to introduce the Art. Nature. Science. program and the exciting events planned for 2022. This program is bringing creative, educational, and exploratory events back to Binna Burra. In this episode, Renata reflects on her experience of the first artist-in-residence and the leader of the Art. Nature. Science. Program and Steve shares the plans for the program in the coming year. Podcast host: Michelle Walker
Renata’s closing artist talk and catalogue launch happened on 4 February 2023 at Binna Burra.
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Ep. 13 // The Sentience Of Trees – Billy Shannon
In today’s episode, podcast host Michelle Walker is joined by Billy Shannon, a visual artist whose work is heavily influenced and informed by his meditation practice. His current work explores perceiving and conveying the sentience of plant-life, especially what is felt when one is immersed in a forest such as the one that surrounds Binna Burra Lodge.
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Ep. 14 // Sharing the Rainforest’s Magic
With its origins in the mid 70s, the Lamington Natural History Association (LNHA) has been sharing the magic of Lamington National Park and connecting people to nature in the Binna Burra area for nearly 50 years. Run by a generous and knowledgeable team of volunteers, the LNHA has been instrumental in running environmental education programs for school children and guided walks for park visitors to understand the value and wonder of the park’s natural areas and wildlife. In today’s episode, podcast host Michelle Walker is joined by Barry Davies, the current President and Suzanne Noakes the Vice-President to talk about the LNHA’s history, current focus and future directions.
Listeners who are interested in finding out more or who wish to join the LNHA are invited to the group’s website – https://lnha.org.au/
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Ep. 15 // Volunteers Regenerating the Bush and Continuing the Art. Nature. Science Program
Friends of Binna Burra (FOBBs) came into existence in 1984. They share a love of nature and the bush and are interested in preserving and supporting the special beauty that is Binna Burra. In this episode, Michelle is joined by Jankees van der Have, the Chairman of FoBBs, Lena van Swinderen, a member of FoBBs who is currently undertaking her PhD studies in conservation science and Tim Atherton a co-founding member of FoBBs, and Chair of the recently formed Binna Burra Foundation.
You’ll hear how FoBBs is a voluntary, not-for-profit organisation who meet four times a year for a weekend of work and friendship and some details about their bush regeneration work since the 2019 fires on the mountain. Tim also shares about the Binna Burra Foundation and its work to continue the Art.Nature.Science Program at Binna Burra and the working group that’s been established to rebuild the history and heritage collection of Binna Burra library that was lost in the fire.
Listeners who are interested in finding out more or who wish to join FoBBs are invited to the website – https://www.binnaburralodge.com.au/volunteers/
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