The Departure

21/12/2025

No DEAD AIR this week, can’t shift my headache and it’s all the Xmas hoo-ha, I need to get organised. You can listen to past episodes on my website.
Stay safe and be kind to each other this week 🤍
🖤 Live: 94.9fm local frequency or stream mainfm.net Mondays 10-11am AEDT
🖤 Later: uploads at hayleywest.com.au/radio & MAINfm Mixcloud
📸: my neighbours tree

21/12/2025

Have Yourself a Mortuary Christmas.
Wondering what to send your friends and loved ones for Christmas? I’m not sure that we should take any advice from the papers of the past, which reported on some strange and macabre Christmas presents-–like human ashes.

https://thevictorianbookofthedead.wordpress.com/2025/12/17/have-yourself-a-mortuary-christmas/

16/12/2025

The Bendigo Interfaith Council will be holding an interfaith gathering at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion (25 Sandhurst Town Rd, Myers Flat 3556) on Sunday December 21, from 2.30 - 4 pm. The focus will be togetherness and mutual understanding.

There will be socialising at the StupaView Cafe, followed by a tour around the unique Peace Park, with reflections from diverse faith groups alongside their respective sculptural installations.

For further information email bendigointerfaithcouncil@yahoo.com

16/12/2025

On Monday’s episode of DEAD AIR: a few tears talking about the Bondi Beach shootings and resources available if you need them 💔… also burying someone twice, a death literacy symposium, last farewell messages, a survey about sadmin, a reminder about our workshop in April and some great tunes… Enjoy 🖤
🖤 Live: 94.9fm local frequency or stream mainfm.net Mondays 10-11am AEDT
🖤 Later: uploads at hayleywest.com.au/radio & MAINfm Mixcloud

15/12/2025

Are you feeling overwhelmed following the Bondi Beach Terror Attack? You are not alone.

This traumatic event has impacted Australians from all walks of life and left many of us with unexpected and difficult emotions.

In our Bondi Beach Attack: Wellbeing support guide, you’ll find information about common reactions, reassurance that what you’re feeling is valid, and ideas for taking care of your wellbeing.

https://lifeline.org.au/bondi-incident

And remember - you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, text on 0477 13 11 14 or chat at lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat anytime, no matter how this has impacted you.

15/12/2025

14/12/2025

14/12/2025

Nell, Everyday Happiness, 2016, gold-plated bronze, courtesy the artist and STATION, Australia, photograph: Jenni Carter

13/12/2025

Everything dies, but pets—living only a fraction of our lives—have us saying goodbye, again and again. So why do we still choose the inevitable pain?

13/12/2025

Something so foreign to us here in country vic!

NOT TYPICALLY USED IN CHATHAM KENT

But you've likely not seen one before-

A cemetery ground heater, or grave warmer, thaws frozen soil to allow for winter burials and cremations. It uses propane or charcoal to generate intense heat, melting frost and softening earth so crews can dig graves, preventing major delays and disruptions to services. These devices, often large, insulated metal boxes, are placed directly over the burial spot and can thaw about a foot of soil in a few hours, making winter interments feasible.

13/12/2025

Every time I watch this scene it gets me in the super feels 🖤