Country Creatives

Episode 084: Turning History Into Heart with Rachel Nightingale

In this episode of Country Creatives, hosts Reece and Aimee sit down with Bendigo-based writer Rachel Nightingale to explore the winding path of her creative career and the release of her upcoming novel Raluana Lane. Rachel shares insights from her early love of storytelling, her shift between academic and creative writing, and the emotional and logistical challenges of authorship.
Diving into the process behind her latest historical drama—set during World War II and inspired by true events—Rachel discusses the tension between traditional and self-publishing, the impact of global events like the COVID-19 pandemic on narrative themes, and what it takes to write with heart and historical depth.
 
Rachel’s new book Raluana Lane will be available from July 1st, with a special launch event happening June 29th at the Emporium Creative Hub.
Learn more about Rachel HERE

Episode 83: The Creative’s Guide to Personal Branding

In this solo episode of Country Creatives, host Caleb Maxwell takes a deep dive into one of the most powerful tools in a creative's toolkit: personal branding.
Far from being about logos or catchy slogans, Caleb unpacks personal branding as the way others perceive, describe, and ultimately trust you. He shares why being known matters, and how building a brand can open doors to more opportunities, higher impact, and greater pricing power.
With thoughtful insights, real-world experiences, and actionable advice, Caleb offers a roadmap for creatives who want to build their personal brand authentically and intentionally. 

Episode 082. The Business of Being Creative: Patrick Thompson’s Next Chapter

In this episode of Country Creatives, hosts Caleb and Reece sit down with returning guest Patrick Thompson to unpack his bold leap from agency life to full-time freelance business owner. After years at Blunt Agency, Patrick shares what it’s been like to step into self-employment—navigating the highs, the challenges, and the learning curves of managing both client work and business development.
The conversation dives into the nuances between freelancing and running a business, building a sustainable work rhythm, and how to align your professional life with your creative energy. Whether you're thinking about going out on your own or simply curious about what it takes, this episode is full of honest insights and practical advice.

Episode 081. Be Our Guest

In this mini Country Creatives snippet, hosts Caleb Maxwell and Reece Hendy dive into the kinds of guests and conversations that light them up.
They reflect on the types of creatives they’re drawn to—philosophical thinkers, bold innovators, and people who’ve taken unconventional paths in their creative careers. The hosts also extend a warm invitation to listeners: Know someone inspiring? Want to nominate yourself? They're open to guest suggestions from anywhere, not just Bendigo.
This short and thoughtful episode is a call-out for meaningful conversations and new connections, with a few hints at exciting future plans—including revisiting favourite past guests and aiming high for new voices.
Find the form HERE

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!