Chris Sayer caught up with two of the visiting poets who helped make the 2026 Poetry Festival such a success. Laurie May and Damian Becker share their poetry experiences.

Chris Sayer caught up with two of the visiting poets who helped make the 2026 Poetry Festival such a success. Laurie May and Damian Becker share their poetry experiences.

A range of local stories that have been previously broadcasted on Launceston's community radio station City Park Radio.

Stories from Launceston, the Tamar Valley and northern Tasmania.

Northern Tasmania Community Stories

2026 Tasmanian Poetry Festival

Stories of courage, resilience, love and support will be on show this September as people from across the south west Pacific gather at the Australian Transplant Games in Launceston.

While the focus will be on recipients living life to the fullest, spare a thought for the close family friends who have been on the organ transplant journey with them.

Sometimes the journey to a transplant is years, and for some people the experience happens again after an organ is rejected. 

Alison's daughter waited seven years for her first transplant while Jan's husband was thousands of kilometres from home when his condition deteriorated quickly.

Jan and Alison speak about their personal journeys, the highs and lows, and now the great joy they have seeing their families live life and involved with the transplant games.

https://www.donatelife.gov.au/

https://transplant.org.au/

https://australiantransplantgames.com/

 

 

 

Stories of courage, resilience, love and support will be on show this September as people from across the south west Pacific gather at the Australian Transplant Games in Launceston.
While the focus will be on recipients living life to the fullest, spare a thought for the close family friends who have been on the organ transplant journey with them.
Sometimes the journey to a transplant is years, and for some people the experience happens again after an organ is rejected.&nbsp;
Alison's daughter waited seven years for her first transplant while Jan's husband was thousands of kilometres from home when his condition deteriorated quickly.
Jan and Alison speak about their personal journeys, the highs and lows, and now the great joy they have seeing their families live life and involved with the transplant games.
<a href="https://www.donatelife.gov.au/">https://www.donatelife.gov.au/</a>
<a href="https://transplant.org.au/">https://transplant.org.au/</a>
<a href="https://australiantransplantgames.com/">https://australiantransplantgames.com/</a>
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Parents and Partners - their journey with organ transplants

Andrew Grubert is about to realise a dream - to participate in the Australian Transplant Games.

It's been a wait since 'covid' cancelled the event scheduled in Launceston several years ago.

Andrew has set his sights on athletics and swimming events but is very cagey about his performance times --- probably not wanting to frighten his competitors.

The opening event for the Transplant Games is a community 5km run on Sunday 27th September organised by DonateLife Australia .... and in training, Andrew is yet to make it to the 5k mark (or is he just foxing).

One thing is certain, Andrew is looking forward to mingling, mixing and making new friends with the transplant and donor communities.

https://australiantransplantgames.com/

https://australiantransplantgames.com/get-involved/community/donatelife-5k-fun-run/

 

 

Andrew Grubert is about to realise a dream - to participate in the <a href="https://australiantransplantgames.com/">Australian Transplant Games</a>.
It's been a wait since 'covid' cancelled the event scheduled in Launceston several years ago.
Andrew has set his sights on athletics and swimming events but is very cagey about his performance times --- probably not wanting to frighten his competitors.
The opening event for the Transplant Games is a community 5km run on Sunday 27th September organised by DonateLife Australia .... and in training, Andrew is yet to make it to the 5k mark (or is he just foxing).
One thing is certain, Andrew is looking forward to mingling, mixing and making new friends with the transplant and donor communities.
https://australiantransplantgames.com/
https://australiantransplantgames.com/get-involved/community/donatelife-5k-fun-run/
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&nbsp;

Andrew Grubert - first time Games participant.

A hightlight of the Junction Arts Festival 2026 has got to be a harp marathon.

It's the idea of Emily Sanzaro to play a "mix-tape" of music from the five decades in her life.

Starting with the present decade, Emily will play the harp and sing along to her favourite music for seven hours.

A "Butler" will keep Emily on track through the decades and be on hand to help her maintain nourishment, stay hydrated and oversee the many costume changes.

Emily Sanzaro says Junction Arts is a great festival in Launceston to showcase local artists.... and told our Long Lunch program she is excited to be part of it

Forget the football, EMILY's MIXTAPE MARATHONbegins at 3pm on Saturday 19th 2026.

https://junctionartsfestival.com.au/event/emilys-mixtape-marathon/

 

A hightlight of the Junction Arts Festival 2026 has got to be a harp marathon.
It's the idea of Emily Sanzaro to play a "mix-tape" of music from the five decades in her life.
Starting with the present decade, Emily will play the harp and sing along to her favourite music for seven hours.
A "Butler" will keep Emily on track through the decades and be on hand to help her maintain nourishment, stay hydrated and oversee the many costume changes.
Emily Sanzaro says Junction Arts is a great festival in Launceston to showcase local artists.... and told our Long Lunch program she is excited to be part of it
Forget the football, <a href="https://junctionartsfestival.com.au/event/emilys-mixtape-marathon/">EMILY's MIXTAPE MARATHON</a> begins at 3pm on Saturday 19th 2026.
https://junctionartsfestival.com.au/event/emilys-mixtape-marathon/
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2026 Tasmanian Poetry Festival

Northern Tasmania Community Stories

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