I’ve been behind a microphone for almost my entire life. I started out as a 13-year-old volunteer in community radio back in 1978, and that spark turned into a lifelong career, In mid-2023, my life took a major turn when I became an amputee. Now, I’m bringing those decades of broadcasting experience to a project close to my heart: sharing the diverse stories of limb loss and difference across Australia and our Pacific neighbours. https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-o-brien-153485123/
I am currently going through my radio archives, searching for interesting bits and pieces to share. My latest “gem” to share is an interview with Senator Flo Bjelke-Petesen.
It suddenly … Read the rest “Flo Bjelke-Petersen and the Pumpkin Scone recipe (from the horse’s mouth)”
In the next couple of years, I’ll likely be taking a step back from full-time work and embracing semi-retirement.
As I transition, I’ve started the fascinating and sometimes daunting process … Read the rest “Why did Dawn Fraser move to Barellan?”
Ever since the death of Dame Patricia Routledge (who passed away this week on 3 October 2025), I’ve been trying to track down a photograph I had taken with her … Read the rest “The Bucket List”
Today was a beautiful day dedicated to “story-telling,” starting with a session and a reminder about the essence of a good story: it has a clear beginning, middle, and end, … Read the rest “There are no boring stories…”
There was a time when weekends were synonymous with bulky newspapers – hours spent poring over them at a café. I’m talking about the weighty Saturday editions of The Sydney … Read the rest “Saturday reading has become Saturday listening…”