Latitude40: Returns for Season Two
Discovering strength in shared stories
A new chapter in island storytelling, shaped by community.
The Furneaux Collective is excited to announce that Latitude40 Podcast is heading back into production. After a celebrated first season that captured local voices during the Islander Way project, we’re returning with a new focus, and a renewed commitment to telling the stories that sit at the heart of life in the Furneaux Islands.
Season One explored what it means to live, work, and welcome visitors to this place through the lived experiences of islanders. Debbie Clarke and Josie Major from GOOD Awaits helped us launch this series with the same spirit of curiosity, care, and integrity that made the regenerative tourism podcast such an inspiration. Through conversations with locals, they uncovered the hope, challenges, and possibilities within the Islander Way project and contributed to a broader conversation about how communities shape their own futures.
Those first episodes didn’t just tell stories. They became a community engagement tool—one that helped us listen, reflect, and stitch together the threads of local identity. Islanders spoke about connection to place, about what they love, and about the kind of visitor economy that feels right for us. That series gave people on and off the Island a chance to understand what makes this community special.
Now, we’re building on that foundation.
Season Two: Old Islander Stories
This new season turns its attention to “Old Islander Stories”—the tales that have quietly shaped us for generations.
We’ll sit down with islanders who carry the memories of farming on the outer islands, weathering storms at sea, running family businesses, and building community from the ground up. These stories are rich with wisdom and humour, and they hold the grit and generosity that define life here on the edge of Bass Strait.
Some will make you laugh.
Some will stop you in your tracks.
All of them remind us who we are.
By capturing these stories in the words of those who lived them, we’re building something lasting—a living archive of island identity. These are not just oral histories; they are lessons in resilience, belonging, and the quiet heroism of everyday island life.
Season Two will give listeners around the world a rare glimpse into what it means to grow up, grow old, and grow connected in a remote island community. For locals, it’s a chance to hear familiar voices honoured and preserved. For visitors and future generations, it’s a window into the deep story of this place.
Why a Podcast Matters
Latitude40 remains an important part of the Collective’s community engagement work. It:
Amplifies the stories that emerged through the Islander Way project about what makes our community unique.
Helps islanders express their connection to place in their own words.
Builds pride, visibility, and understanding across generations.
Shares the island’s story with listeners near and far.
Digital storytelling lets our people speak for themselves—and there is something powerful about hearing the warmth in someone’s voice as they reflect on their life here. This series helps weave our individual threads into a larger tapestry of who we are.
A Quick Look Back: Highlights from Season One
Our first season featured conversations with a wide range of locals, including:
Mel Telfer – artist, creative, and co-op maker
Peter Rhodes – Councillor and champion of maritime heritage
Lois Ireland – owner of Bowman’s General Store
Ben Backhaus – distiller and Bush Pharmacy founder
Annie Revie – former Mayor and Islander Way champion
Wendy Jubb-Stoney – host at Cooma House
Dianne Dredge – unpacking the Islander Way journey in our very first episode
Their stories were supported by the evocative music of Judy Jacques and a beautiful reading of the Islander Way story by Jana Monnone.
Looking Ahead
Season Two is now in production, and we can’t wait to share these new stories with you. This work continues the momentum of the Islander Way and strengthens the foundations of the Furneaux Collective as we step into our next chapter.
Because storytelling is part of how communities thrive.
And out here, on the edge of the world, our stories matter.
Stay tuned.
Season Two is coming soon.