A talented hair artist and wigmaker, Selena Pertzel was never going to be content in a normal salon. In this episode of The Churchill Collective, host Adam Spencer introduces us to Selena and explores how and why she left her hairdressing job on the Gold Coast to become one of the most important hair artists in the Australian film industry. Selena recounts her work on films like the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and ‘The Great Gatsby’ and what it’s like to work with stars like Johnny Depp and Russell Crowe. She also discusses her Churchill Fellowship experience, where she travelled to London to learn the art of custom wig-making, aiming to contribute to the growth of the Australian film industry.

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Climate change is gradually threatening the existence of many of Australia’s endemic species, but is the country doing everything it can to help preserve them? Could we learn from experiences overseas? In this episode of The Churchill Collective, host Adam Spencer explores this emerging crisis with environmental scientist and author Timothy Low, who specialises in preserving our native reptiles. Tim discusses his experiences from his Churchill Fellowship, which was designed to uncover new ideas for species preservation from the Northern Hemisphere, and explains how global initiatives can inform scientists back home in Australia.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

France is the place to go to learn some of the best cooking skills, and in this episode of The Churchill Collective, we travel to the French countryside to discover new skills that can be brought back and enjoyed in Australia. Host Adam Spencer explores the passions behind that country’s charcuterie tradition, and how artisan chef Sascha Randle intends to bring it all home to Australia. The first recipient of a memorial fellowship dedicated to the late daughter of TV Chef Maggie Beer, Sascha describes her journey from Melbourne to France, where she’s perfecting traditional French charcuterie techniques. Sascha discusses her background, the art of charcuterie, and her experiences learning from renowned French chefs. She shares her vision of bringing these refined skills back to Australia to inspire local culinary practices and elevate the nation's food culture.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

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Australia’s homelessness crisis is growing, particularly in the big cities. But although the problem is often on their doorsteps, local councils have been feeling powerless. With most powers in the hands of Canberra or the states, what can councils do? In this episode of The Churchill Collective, host Adam Spencer investigates this pressing issue with anthropologist and writer Leanne Mitchell, a Churchill Fellow who went overseas to fill an Australian knowledge gap. The discussion highlights innovative global solutions to homelessness and how they can be adapted locally. Leanne shares her insights from her international research, emphasising prevention strategies and the crucial role of local governments in tackling this complex issue.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

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Jodie Williams is a sound artist and historian from Norfolk Island, who embarked on a Churchill Fellowship journey to explore the soundscapes and heritage of her remote island home. In a conversation with host Adam Spencer about her art practice, Jodie emphasises the importance of sound in preserving memories and connecting generations, especially in the context of remote island communities. She has also received a Churchill Impact Funding Grant to bring sound healing and heritage preservation to her community, including aged care. Jodie shares her advice for aspiring artists and researchers looking to explore their heritage through sound and multimedia.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel
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It’s another example of how one person can change Australia for the better with just a little help. In this episode, host Adam Spencer interviews Kate Cole, a scientist and engineer who embarked on a Churchill Fellowship to improve workplace safety in the underground construction industry. Kate's journey takes her to the world’s tunnelling epicentres, where she learns best practices for managing the dangers of crystalline silica dust exposure in tunnels. She discusses the shocking lack of awareness about silicosis, outdated workplace exposure standards, and challenges in implementing health and safety measures. Kate discusses her efforts to bring about positive change in Australia, including collaborative projects, workshops, and improvements in air quality monitoring.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Churchill Collective, host Adam Spencer explores the world of vaccines and efforts to make sure they are safe to use. Professor Nicholas Wood, a paediatrician and immunisation researcher, discusses his experiences studying vaccine safety and innovation during his Churchill Fellowship travels. From the development of mRNA vaccines to addressing vaccine hesitancy, Professor Wood talks about critical aspects of immunisation. He also outlines the need for a national vaccine safety office in Australia and the importance of understanding viruses in the ongoing battle against infectious diseases.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

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How can we find new medicines from ocean creatures, and then how can we speed up those drugs’ development? These are questions being answered by Dr Michela Mitchell, Australia's first sea anemone taxonomist. In this episode, host Adam Spencer explores the fascinating world of sea anemone toxinology and its potential in drug development. Dr Mitchell discusses her journey from computer programming to marine biology and her research on sea anemone venom. She highlights the complexities of venom extraction and analysis, as well as the need for collaboration among scientists, clinicians, and pharmaceutical companies to expedite drug development.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.