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Australian Highlights

Australian Highlights

De : Rachel Rayner
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The Australian Highlights series is the place where we find the innovative people and ideas which are not – yet! – common knowledge.

Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer, this series takes the form of regular podcast episodes and online articles where we explore the captivating stories behind Australia's groundbreaking creative moments. With a focus on game-changing women and Indigenous trailblazers, this collection of interviews, explainers and articles shines a light on the ingenuity and diversity that propel Australia forward.

We’ll hear from people themselves doing amazing work; industry leaders that have been inspired by innovators from our past; and those who are enabling people to step forward and be spotlighted themselves. It's a lot of fun, as we've got comedians hearing these amazing stories for the first time!

There will bonus episodes of snippets and stories that didn't make it into the full interviews and there will be regular catch-ups where you can hear a rapporteur account of previous episodes.

So come join us. Head to our website for more information, australianhighlights.com.au, follow us on our socials, or send us an email if you know someone who should be highlighted on this show: news@australianhighlights.com.au

The production of this series is funding by the Meta Australian Journalism Fund, administered by The Walkley Foundation, and is supported by Comedy Victoria.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Rayner
Art Science Sciences sociales
Épisodes
  • LIVE: Brains and Biostats
    Feb 23 2026

    We’re all about the good life – but we’re not heading to a wellness retreat in Byron Bay. We’re measuring our quality of life using cold, hard stats, and looking at our brains with a portable scanner. No ice baths required! Champagne encouraged.


    See images discussed in the episode and more on the website.


    In this live recording of the Australian Highlights series for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival we’re exploring local medical innovations, from a portable brain scanner currently being tested by the Royal Flying Doctor Service, to advancements in statistical measurements of patient outcomes: can the numbers really be centered on what is important to patients?


    Dr Freda Werdiger, who was at the University of Melbourne at the time, takes us through the numbers and dials of her field to illuminate the promising leaps in human health happening across Australia right now, including improving care for Indigenous peoples in aged care and reducing the effects of strokes in emergency situations.


    Host Rachel Rayner may faint (she’s quite squeamish, despite having her own aneurysm problems) but she’ll be joined by local comedy legend, Laura Davis, to laugh at how amazing and ridiculous the human condition is.


    Credits

    Producer: Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer

    Guests: Freda Werdiger, Laura Davis

    Venue: The Library at the Dock, Australia’s first six Green Star-rated public building

    Tech: Luke Morris

    Music: Michelle Cashman

    Editing: Graham Hunt

    Made possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    41 min
  • Catch up
    Jan 24 2026

    Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer and confidante, Kirsty Kapp, catch up on a flash of five episodes.

    They consider the statistical definition of deadly, argue about the failures of communicating acid rain, poke at Rachel's hatred of Paul Gauguin, and get excited about ancient trade routes.

    Head to each individual episode for more information on our website: Australian Highlights, Season 2.


    Credits

    Producer: Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer

    Guest: Kirsty Kapp

    Music: Michelle Cashman

    Editing: Graham Hunter

    Made possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    53 min
  • Indigenous Innovation
    Oct 22 2025

    Innovation in Australia has been happening for tens of thousands of years.

    Professor Lynette Russell is the co-author of Innovation: Knowledge and Ingenuity, which is part of the First Knowledges series.

    In conversation with comedian Luke Morris and host Rachel Rayner, we explore the rich history and innovations of Indigenous Australians, particularly in the areas of language, trade, land management, and technology. We discuss how Western historical narratives have often overlooked or dismissed the sophistication and ingenuity of Indigenous societies, and how recent research is finally bringing this all to light.

    Lynette shares her story of becoming an anthropological historian rather than an archaeologist, and her current line of research into trade relations between Australia and Indonesia thousands of years ago, while Luke spends much of the episode aghast at how little he knew of all this.

    Transcript

    Links for more:

    Get the book, or get the whole series

    Find out more on Lynette

    Follow Luke and Comedy Victoria

    Credits

    Producer: Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer

    Guests: Professor Lynette Russell AM, Luke Morris

    Music: Michelle Cashman

    Editing: Graham Hunter

    Made possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    42 min
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