This is the first episode I recorded, back in October 2025, right at the very start of the project.

At that point, I’d taken some time off just to walk, record, and see what this might become. I genuinely wasn’t sure if any of it would end up being shared publicly. But pretty quickly, spending time with Peter, that shifted. It became obvious how important it was to hear these stories in people’s own words, not just written up afterwards.

We recorded for more than six and a half hours that day, walking through Darebin Parklands and talking as we went. What you’re hearing here is just a small part of that, but it gives you a feel for what it was like to be out there. You’ll probably hear me laugh a few times as well. It was one of those conversations that just kept going and I loved every minute.

I’m still in the process of writing this up, but it felt important to share the audio itself. To actually hear Peter tell these stories, in his own words, in the place where they happened.

It really was a privilege to spend time with him. He’s been a ranger at Darebin Parklands for over 40 years, and you can hear that straight away. The depth of knowledge, the connection to the place. He’s also clearly had a huge impact on the reserve and the broader community. I was genuinely pretty thrilled to be there hearing those stories firsthand.

Darebin Parklands itself is a really significant patch of urban bushland in Melbourne’s north. It’s had a pretty full history. Quarry, tip, and now this network of wetlands and habitat. What’s there now is the result of decades of work from the community, and from groups like the Darebin Creek Management Committee, who’ve played a big role in shaping and protecting the place.

If you get the chance, I’d really recommend heading down there for a walk. You could even listen to this while you’re out on the track and take it in as you go.

If you want to find out more about the park or the work being done there, you can head to the Darebin Creek Management Committee website: https://dcmc.org.au/

Darebin Parklands is located at Separation St, Alphington Victoria.