Latitude 40 Podcast - Dawn Zelman
Here it is Episode 3 of Latitude 40 Season 2 - “Stories from the Edge”, where Jacqui Cooper sits down with long-time island artist Dawn Zelman - a woman whose story is deeply woven into the creative and lived experience of Flinders Island.
Season 2 continues to explore what it really means to live well at 40 degrees south, and Dawn’s story is a powerful reminder that place is not just something we arrive at, but something we choose, shape and grow into over time.
A life shaped by creativity and courage
In this episode, Jacqui and Dawn reflect on the unexpected path that led her to Flinders Island — beginning with a leap of faith after spotting an advertisement in a suburban newspaper, and a rough sea crossing aboard the Lady Jillian that would change the course of her life.
From arriving on the island in the late 1980s to living in a shed at Lackrana, Dawn shares stories of resilience, independence and carving out a life on her own terms. She speaks about building her gallery in Whitemark, supporting other artists, and finding inspiration in the unique landscape of mountains and sea.
The conversation moves easily between humour, honesty and reflection, touching on the realities of starting from scratch in a remote place, the challenges of being a single woman on the island in those early days, and the quiet satisfaction of creating a life grounded in creativity and purpose.
Dawn also shares stories from her time working aboard the Lady Jillian, cooking for the crew and witnessing the unique and sometimes dangerous work of island shipping life — moments that capture both the grit and character of the place.
Listeners will hear about:
• The leap of faith that brought Dawn to Flinders Island
• Living simply and starting from scratch at Lackrana
• Creating an art gallery and supporting island artists
• Life aboard the Lady Jillian and island shipping stories
• The challenges and realities of remote island life
• Creativity, independence and staying connected to place
It is a conversation about courage, creativity and the kind of resilience that shapes both people and place.
Why these stories matter
Latitude 40 Season 2 continues to capture the voices and experiences that shape life on Flinders Island.
These conversations are not just interviews — they are a living record of the people who build, care for and sustain this place.
Through stories like Dawn’s, we begin to understand that community is not something that simply exists — it is something people create, one act of contribution at a time.
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