‘Seeking Sydney’ is a ten-episode podcast that looks at the people and events that have shaped modern Sydney. Through interviews and research, Sydney’s landscapes and landmarks become places of connection. ‘Seeking Sydney’ is written and directed by Kathy Prokhovnik. Featuring interviews with Grace Karskens, Julie Gibson, Diane Minnis, Wendy Bacon, Gary Dunne, Bette Mifsud, Ben Ewald, Naomi Parry Duncan, Paul Irish, Matthew Doyle, John Richardson, Lucy Taksa, Joss Bell, Felicity Castagna, Deborah Lennis, Steven Penning and Jing Han.
Sound design by Martin Gallagher. Artwork by Bettina Kaiser. Available on Spotify | Apple | iHeart
Episode 1 The Desire To Listen
‘Seeking Sydney’ episode 1 starts with a white-knuckle rideto Bondi then moves down the coast to Bronte, with a quick detour to Bronte in Sicily. Up through Waverley cemetery for a quick hello to some literary ghosts and a sad reflection on who gets a monument, and who doesn’t. Into Centennial Park, Gadigal land, and the Guriwal Trail with Deborah Lennis. A nod to Patrick White and Manoly Lascaris. Up to Anzac Parade to talk to Matthew Doyle, then on to Daceyville and Joss Bell. Finally we’re at La Perouse with Paul Irish,wondering how someone who was there for six weeks gets naming rights while the real owners, with 60,000 years of occupation, knowledge, governance and maintenance, are ignored. Extra notes and acknowledgements at the ‘Seeking Sydney’ blog.
Episode 2 A Big Visible Beacon
In this episode, Kathy takes us from Watson’s Bay to Kings Cross, from freedom to arrests, from Camp Cove to CAMP Inc. There is dispossession of land, of housing and of identity. There is a happy ending. For extra notes and acknowledgements please go to the ‘Seeking Sydney’ blog.