Country Creatives

Episode 080: Behind the Portfolios: The Hon. Colin Brooks on Creativity and Government

In this episode of Country Creatives, hosts Reece Hendy and Caleb Maxwell sit down with the Honourable Colin Brooks, Victoria’s Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing and Minister for Creative Industries.
The conversation explores how government portfolios are assigned, the fascinating relationship between the creative industries and advanced manufacturing, and Colin’s surprising love for contemporary dance. He reflects on the critical importance of equitable access to creative opportunities, especially for people in regional areas and underrepresented communities.
Colin also shares insights into current and upcoming government initiatives designed to support creatives across Victoria, offering listeners a rare peek behind the policy curtain. The episode wraps with a lighthearted yes-or-no round that gives us a playful glimpse into the Minister’s personality.
Whether you’re a practicing artist, creative entrepreneur, or policy nerd—this episode is packed with thought-provoking ideas and genuine moments.

Episode 079: Pathways, People & Possibility: A Mini Conversation with Dr. Karen Annett

In this special mini episode of Country Creatives, recorded live at a late 2024 media event, Aimee catches up with the brilliant Dr. Karen Annett, Director of La Trobe Art Institute in Bendigo.
Dr. Annett reflects on the challenges young creatives face when building community and accessing opportunities—especially in regional and smaller towns. She speaks to the importance of networking, mentorship, and accessible exhibition spaces, and the real-world barriers of things like grant writing and industry connection.
This insightful conversation dives into the many pathways into a creative career, whether through formal education or self-taught exploration, and why interdisciplinary collaboration is key to the future of creative work. Dr. Annett also highlights the role of institutions like the La Trobe Art Institute in providing both educational and experiential opportunities, helping young creatives pair their passion with practical skills for long-term success.
It’s a short but powerful conversation about creativity, opportunity, and the future of regional creative industries.
Learn about Latrobe Art Institute HERE

Episode 078. The Snowball Effect: How Creative Collaborations Grow

In this episode of Country Creatives, hosts Caleb Maxwell and Reece Hendy reflect on their experience at The Wands exhibition by Ben Wrigley, an immersive and collaborative art event held at Bendigo’s historic Beehive building. They break down the creative elements that brought the event to life, including Ben's sculptures, Kelly Hartland’s aphorisms, Aimee Chapman’s sound design, Ivan Sun’s documentary screening, and Jason Kerr’s ceremonial smoking performance.
Beyond the event itself, they explore the power of creative collaboration—how grassroots art projects evolve, the balance between DIY exhibitions and traditional galleries, and the snowball effect of partnerships in scaling creative work. Whether you're an artist, curator, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights on building community-driven projects that leave a lasting impact.

Episode 077: Master Your Time: Les Watson’s Productivity Secrets

In this episode of Country Creatives, hosts Caleb Maxwell and Reece Hendy sit down with Les Watson, the productivity powerhouse known as the 'Time Lord.' With decades of experience in time management and personal development, Les shares his expert strategies for boosting productivity, overcoming procrastination, and mastering your daily schedule.
From getting tasks out of your head and into a trusted system to setting clear goals and managing email overload, this episode is packed with practical tips to help creatives take control of their time. Les also introduces a time management challenge and shares insights from his book, Get Back an Hour in Every Day.
If you’re looking to work smarter, not harder, this conversation is a must-listen! 🎧
For Les’s data dump exercise visit - https://www.getmoretime.com.au/trigger-list
To grab Les’s 25 Time Tips For Busy People freebie visit - https://www.getmoretime.com.au/timetips
 

Episode 076: Ben Wrigley- A Perceptive Approach to Creativity

In this episode of Country Creatives, Reece and Caleb sit down with Ben Wrigley, a multifaceted creative whose journey is deeply rooted in the arts. From growing up in a creative household to carving out a career in architectural and heritage photography, Ben shares how his perceptive approach has shaped his work.
He reflects on moments from his remarkable career, including photographing icons like Bob Hawke and Desmond Tutu, and delves into his passion for sculpture, particularly his latest project, The Wands. Sacred sculpture created from a 100-year-old pine tree, this spiritually and emotionally charged exhibition explores the relationship between material, memory, and transformation.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation about creativity, resilience, and the power of seeing the world through a perceptive lens.
For information on The Wands event visit HERE
For more about Ben visit HERE

Episode 075. Pulling Focus: Dan Walsh on Life Behind the Camera

In this episode of Country Creatives, Reece and Caleb sit down with Dan Walsh, a seasoned film industry professional who recently returned from Canada with nearly 20 years of experience. Dan takes us behind the scenes of the camera department, breaking down the intricacies of roles like focus puller and explaining the complex coordination required to bring films and TV shows to life.
With an impressive career working on productions for Apple, Amazon, Disney, and Netflix and more, Dan shares captivating stories from the set, the essential soft skills that make a great crew member, and valuable advice for aspiring filmmakers. If you’ve ever been curious about the inner workings of high-level film production, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!
 

Episode 074. Starting Strong: Creative Planning and Goal-Setting for 2025

Starting Strong: Creative Planning and Goal-Setting for 2025
Welcome to the 2025 premiere of Country Creatives! 🎉 Reece and Caleb kick off the year with an inspiring discussion about their planning and goal-setting strategies for the year ahead. From the power of taking a break to recharge to creating vision boards and using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix for prioritisation, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you hit the ground running.
The hosts also share insights from their own creative projects and community-focused roles, exploring how to balance personal ambitions with contributing to the broader creative landscape. Plus, they want to hear from you—what are your 2025 goals? Drop them a line and join the conversation!
Tune in to start your year with clarity, purpose, and creative inspiration.
🎧 Available now on your favourite podcast platform!
If you'd like to explore a visual example of the Eisenhower Matrix: https://www.smartsheet.com/content/eisenhower-matrix-templates
If you'd like to know more about the Eaglehawk Festival Volunteering: https://eaglehawkfestivals.com.au/volunteers 
 

Episode 073: Summer Encore Episode: Book Reviews That Fuel Creativity

Welcome to the Country Creatives Summer Series! In this encore episode, Caleb and Reece revisit one of their favourite conversations of the year: their book review episode. This thoughtful and inspiring discussion dives into two books that profoundly shaped their creative journeys in 2024.
Reece shares his experience with Rick Rubin's The Creative Act: A Way of Being, a philosophical exploration of creativity as an intrinsic part of life. Caleb reflects on Ed Catmull's Creativity, Inc., a practical and insightful guide to balancing creativity and business, drawn from Catmull's experience as co-founder of Pixar.
With personal anecdotes and lessons learned, Caleb and Reece unpack how these books have influenced their perspectives as creatives and professionals. Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or simply someone looking to deepen your creative practice, this episode offers inspiration, practical wisdom, and a few laughs along the way.
Tune in, soak up the insights, and enjoy this replay as you kick back this summer!

Episode 072- Summer Encore Series- Chris Kennett

🎙️ Encore Episode: Chris Kennett on Turning Creativity into a Career
This summer, we're revisiting some of our most inspiring episodes while we prepare exciting new content for 2025! First up: a listener favorite featuring Bendigo-based illustrator and author, Chris Kennett.
Chris's journey from doodling as a kid to illustrating Star Wars Little Golden Books and bestselling children's series like School of Monsters and The Nerd Herd is nothing short of remarkable. In this encore episode, he shares his insights on:✨ Seizing opportunities by simply "sending the email"✨ Protecting your creative time✨ Navigating the publishing world as a creative professional
Whether you're starting out or seeking fresh inspiration, Chris's story will motivate you to take that next step in your creative journey. Tune in and rediscover the magic of simply doing the work!
#CountryCreatives #EncoreEpisode #ChrisKennett #CreativeCareers #Illustration
 
Find out more about Chris HERE

Episode 071: Wrapping Up 2024 – Reflections, Milestones, and Big Plans Ahead

In this special year-end episode of Country Creatives, hosts Caleb and Reece are joined by their producer, Aimee, for a lively look back at 2024. Together, they reflect on personal and professional highlights, from Aimee’s transformative role with the Emporium Creative Hub to Caleb’s rollercoaster year with Hebron Films, and Reece’s efforts to prioritize focus and meaningful projects.
The conversation is packed with insights on overcoming challenges, celebrating wins, and learning from the past year. Plus, the trio gives an exciting glimpse into the podcast’s future—think expansion, live recordings, and even TV appearances!
Whether you’re reflecting on your own year or planning for a creative 2025, this episode is a heartfelt reminder of the power of community, collaboration, and setting bold goals. Tune in and get inspired!