All about living in apartments (condos), from dealing with your committee to getting on with neighbours and – a dose of healthy skepticism about dubious developers. Please subscribe by clicking on one of the icons below, to take you to your favourite podcaster.
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The Dust Up is a series of conversations about surfboard designs, shaper interviews and lots more. The Dust Up is for anybody interested in shaping as well as all the surfboard nerds out there. It's all about the boards and we love talking about surfboards. Hosted by Cory Russell along with special co hosts Luke Howarth, John Robertson and Christian Pritchett.
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Each Week - Pop: The History Makers presents a new one-hour interview with an icon of popular culture. If you prefer watching the interviews - go to my YouTube podcast channel -https://www.youtube.com/@popthehistorymakers Online - Per Martinsen - Norwegian's Electronic Godfather!UPDATE and DEEP DIVE interviews include:Raz Lindvall (formerly Rob 'n' Raz), Louis C. Oberländer (Jeremy Days), Justin Currie (Del Amitri), Fish (Update interview) Phillip Boa, Toyah, Anne Clark (the poet who continu ...
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Love who you are with "America's best girlfriend," Kim Gravel. The Kim Gravel Show is a top women’s lifestyle podcast where Kim shares her message of confidence and encouragement with a side of laughter and fun. The show features inspiring, topical conversations with thought leaders, CEOs, and celebrities tailored to give listeners the insight they need to help them discover their purpose, find their confidence, and love who they are. On each episode Kim tackles the topics that women care ab ...
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Surfboard Design Elements - Foil / Flex
1:12:27
1:12:27
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1:12:27In this episode, Luke Howarth from Howie shapes and I discuss the subtleties of a surfboard foil or profile. The distribution of foam in a surfboard is often overlooked but it can have a big impact on how your board performs. We chat about the evolution of foil in a surfboard and how it relates to the different styles of boards. I ask Luke about wh…
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Iain McKell is a distinguished British photographer and filmmaker celebrated for his powerful portraits and social-documentary work, particularly his chronicling of British youth subcultures since the late 1970s. His prints will be exhibited in the upcoming show Blitz – The Club That Shaped the 80s, which opens on September 20th and runs until Marc…
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This week, I’m sharing some of my most personal, can’t-miss inspirational moments—stories about losing and reclaiming my confidence, raising two teenage boys, and finding purpose in the middle of chaos. We’ll talk about why your childhood passions still matter, how to spot the blessings hiding in plain sight, and why change—no matter how messy—can …
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In this episode I chat with Scott James from SJS Custom. Scott first appeared on my radar through social media. The boards he was creating and the way he was presenting them really stood out amongst the many. It piqued my interest. I was keen to chat with Scott to hear more about his back story and it did not disappoint. Scott grew up in the town o…
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Deniece Pearson—best known as the powerhouse lead singer of Five Star—was the voice behind some of the slickest pop-R&B hits of the 1980s. As frontwoman of Britain’s answer to the Jacksons, she helped the sibling group dominate the charts with platinum albums and a string of infectious singles like System Addict and Rain or Shine. With a Brit Award…
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Can You Really Be Happy at Work? with Bree Groff
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1:01:08
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1:01:08Let’s be real—work can feel like an endless loop of meetings, fakeness, and counting down to the weekend. This week, Bree Groff, author of Today Was Fun: A Book About Work, is here to help you flip the script and actually start enjoying your workday. We discuss why showing up authentically, building real connections, and creating a fun, human workp…
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Steve Blacknell - The Man with the Child in his Eyes
1:03:23
1:03:23
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1:03:23A veteran British broadcaster, music industry insider, and self-proclaimed "serial thrill-seeker", Steve Blacknell's life has zigzagged through some of pop culture's most iconic moments. Born in Peckham in 1952 and raised in Dartford, Blacknell rose from humble beginnings—working as a hospital cleaner—to becoming a dynamic force in radio, televisio…
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Money Tips Every Woman Needs to Hear with Lacy Garcia
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1:01:15
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1:01:15This week, I’m chatting with Lacy Garcia, the powerhouse founder and CEO of TrustWillow.com—a financial advisory company built for women. We dive into how to tart changing your financial life, no matter what age you are, flipping your money mindset from stressed to confident, and how to find the right advisor who fits you. Lacy breaks it all down i…
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Life Too Busy? Feeling Burned Out? Do THIS
36:59
36:59
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36:59Y’all, we are doing way too much—chasing things we were never called to do and wondering why we’re burned out. This week, I’m exploring the difference between being busy and being purposeful, and why doing less can actually bring more peace and lead you to your calling. Trust me—your purpose isn’t gone, and it’s not too embrace your true calling, b…
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Steve Levine: The Hitmaker Behind Culture Club, The Beach Boys & More | Music Producer Legend #cultureclub #boygeorge #stevelevine #recordproducer He’s the man behind the mixing desk who helped define the sound of a generation. My guest today is a Grammy Award-winning producer and one of the true architects of ‘80s pop. He shaped the global success…
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It’s a problem with any bureaucracy, anywhere in the world – and it’s also the reason strong figures in politics prevail – doing the right thing the “right way” takes a lot longer than just getting stuff done when it’s most needed. The principle of “it’s easier to apologise than it is to get permission” gets things moving but it also leaves the doo…
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Heather Thomson Turned Her Trauma Into A Business Empire
56:21
56:21
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56:21This week, I’m joined by Heather Thomson—trailblazing entrepreneur and former Real Housewives of New York star—for a powerful conversation about mindset, resilience, and why embracing your true self is the real secret to success, especially for women over 50. Heather opens up about how trauma shaped her journey, how faith and gratitude keep her gro…
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Gered Mankowitz; Photographing Kate Bush, The Rolling Stones, Billy Idol, Suzi Quatro, Jimi Hendrix #GeredMankowitz #photography #katebush #therollingstones #billyidol #Suziquatro #jimihendrix As someone who’s spent years speaking with some of the most fascinating figures in music and culture, few conversations have excited me as much as the one yo…
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In this episode I catch up with Gary McNeill from Gary McNeill Concepts. I first met Gary when I was working on the Gold Coast nearly 20 years ago. From the very first meeting I found him to be friendly, dedicated, talented and a real individual pursuing his own path. Gary grew up surfing competitively, but a few changes in life would motivate him …
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As someone who has interviewed many influential artists over the years, Andrew Roachford stands out as a truly unique voice in British music. Rising to fame in the late 1980s with his band Roachford, he broke onto the charts with the unforgettable hit “Cuddly Toy”, a track that fused soul, rock, and funk in a way that felt completely fresh at the t…
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This week, I have something really special for you. I had Zac put together the ultimate highlight reel! We’re revisiting some of the most loved, most replayed, and most talked-about moments from the show. From behind-the-scenes stories from my Kim of Queens days (yes, I spill the real tea!) to heart-to-hearts with amazing guests like David Venable,…
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Simple but significant rewards for our key workers
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21:15
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21:15Don’t be put off by a tinkle or two of classical music at the start of this week’s podcast. It’s just a small acknowledgement of the fact that we are in Warsaw, where Polish-born piano master composer Frederic Chopin was raised. What do Warsaw and Gdansk have to do with apartments? Heaps as it turns out. Having been flattened by the Nazis during th…
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"Love Yourself Enough to Improve Your Health" with Autumn Calabrese
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40:17
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40:17This week, fitness and nutrition expert Autumn Calabrese joins me to talk about health, hormones, and how to feel good in your body after 40. Autumn keeps it real with simple, doable tips that actually work—no extreme diets or intense workouts required. We talk about how small habits, like drinking more water and eating cleaner, can help balance yo…
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This week we’ve taken the podcast overseas as we’re recording on a cruise ship off the coast of Norway. But it gives us an opportunity to look at one of the vexed questions of living in strata in Australia. You may not know this but there is already one city in Australia that has rent controls. Do they work? Do they keep rents low or just set a ben…
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Outside The Bay with Damien Cole from Varuna Surfboards
2:10:46
2:10:46
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2:10:46In this episode we catch up with Damien Cole, former CEO of Varuna surfboards. The surfboard industry is a fickle beast; it owes nobody anything and we are regularly reminded of this. Earlier this year Varuna surfboards closed its doors for the last time. Varuna surfboards was a new type of wooden construction with a focus on reducing the environme…
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How the Drive-Thru Prepared Jimmy Stovall to Be a CEO
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1:00:20Y’all, fire up the grill and grab a napkin—this week I’m talkin’ with Jimmy Stovall, CEO of Corky’s BBQ! He went from the drive-thru window to owning the company, and his story is just as juicy as his ribs. We’re serving up the secret to great barbecue (spoiler: it’s more than just the sauce), swapping QVC stories, and digging into what really keep…
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Last week Sue dropped a bomb into a discussion about new strata laws in NSW, one of which will invalidate by-laws that block sustainability changes because they would alter the look of the building. Does this mean the end of by-laws that forbid drying laundry on balconies? Surely not using a tumble dryer and instead using the wind and sun is a sust…
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Designer Keanan Duffty; Fashion meets Music, David Bowie, Sex Pistols; The University of Failure I’m thrilled to introduce Keanan Duffty—this isn’t just an intro, it’s your VIP pass into the mind of a true blend of fashion, music, and education. Keanan is a British-born creative powerhouse (b. 1964, Doncaster) who's been rocking stages and runways …
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New strata laws tested - the best and the rest
24:46
24:46
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24:46If you've been hiding under your bed - and who isn't tempted these days? - you may not have heard that NSW is about to see a second tranche of strata law reforms become a reality on July 1. What are the new laws and what do they mean? We invited Robert Anderson, President of SCA-NSW, the state's professional body for strata managers and service pro…
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This week, I’m answering your questions—from Kim of Queens to QVC and beyond—raw, real, and unfiltered. From building a business to building your confidence, I’m bringing you straight-up truth and encouragement you can actually use. We’re diving into confidence, mom life, faith, and boundaries. Nothing is off-limits. Whether you’re dreaming big or …
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In this episode I chat with Sergio Gomez from Gomez surfboards. Sergio grew up on the coast of Argentina. The town was rather large, but surfing was considered counterculture and there were only two surf shops. Sergio fell in love with surfing and on one occasion when his board was being repaired, he borrowed his friend's brother's board. The board…
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Sue Clowes; Designer of Boy George/Culture Club's iconic clothes; She help Shape 80's Fashion Legacy Photo; (c) Samuel Guerrier Pioneering British textile and fashion designer, Sue Clowes, is renowned for her influential role in shaping 1980s pop and street fashion. It was her collaboration with Boy George and Culture Club in the early 1980s tha…
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It's real! Building faster, cheaper, better apartments
23:59
23:59
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23:59Imagine if you could build apartments in half the time at 15 per cent less cost and a guarantee of no waterproofing, fire safety or structural defects. ‘Tell ’im he must be dreamin’,” say strata’s Darryl Kerrigans. Apartment blocks take longer to build than ever, cost more, and fire and waterproofing are still endemic defects across the industry. E…
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This week, I’m getting real about graduation season—and what it means not just for our kids, but for all of us. Whether you're celebrating a milestone or chasing the next one, remember: the best is yet to come. I’m sharing real talk on stepping into new seasons with purpose and confidence, no matter your age or stage. Whether you’re a graduate, a p…
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Martin Green is a pioneering DJ, curator, and cultural archivist, best known as the founder of Smashing, the legendary 1990s Soho club that became a cornerstone of Britpop-era nightlife. He toured with Pulp and has DJ-ed for Blur, Suede, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, and fashion houses like Chanel and Prada. A passionate collector, he compile…
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On ABC radio Afternoons with James Valentine
25:23
25:23
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25:23As many of you may already know, every second Tuesday, JimmyT goes on ABC Radio with James Valentine on his Afternoon show to chat about apartments. Last week, Jimmy and James took calls from listeners about what you can and can't put on balconies, compulsory training for strata committees, tradies who block car spaces, and car lifts that break dow…
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In this episode I chat with Dylan Perese from DP surfboards and inventor of the soon to be released 'Leashbar'. Dylan caught the bug for shaping in his early teens and instantly knew this was what he wanted to do. A couple of years later he left school to focus on surfboards and never looked back. A member of a thriving surf community south of Sydn…
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Limahl; From Kajagoogoo's Too Shy to Giorgio Moroder's Never Ending Story! Limahl (born Christopher Hamill) is a British pop singer best known as the lead vocalist of the 1980s band Kajagoogoo, whose global hit "Too Shy" topped charts in 1983. After going solo, he gained further success with the international hit "The NeverEnding Story", the theme …
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Hot seat part 2 - Vexatious litigants and embedded networks
27:31
27:31
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27:31In this second part of Lawyer in the Hot Seat, recorded last week, strata legal eagle David Bannerman fields questions from Flat Chat's Jimmy Thomson about a range of issues, starting with what is vexatious litigant and how do you deal with them? Then there's the matter of disputes between neighbours and whether or not the strata committee should g…
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Swing Out Sister: From ‘Breakout’ to Timeless – The Evolution of Style and Sound Certain Shades Of Limelight — an 8CD box set celebrating a dazzling decade of Swing Out Sister’s sophisticated pop brilliance is out on June 27th 2025. Spanning 1994 to 2004, this beautifully curated collection captures the creative evolution of one of Britain’s most s…
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In what has become an annual event here on Flat Chat, this week we were invited on to a webinar run by leading strata lawyer (and Flat Chat sponsor) David Bannerman for the Q&A session that we call Lawyer in the Hot Seat. In it we discuss such diverse issues as Lithium battery safety, a Vegepod balcony plant system that's been banned becasue it's n…
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The week’s podcast covers a wide array of topics, from your thoughts on strata committee training, and the ups and downs of the property market to common myths about strata managers. And we’ll throw in a reference to photography as well. We have a look at Amanda Farmer’s survey into strata owners’ thought on training for strata committee members. W…
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Why Relationships Fail and How to Fix It with Keion Henderson
50:50
50:50
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50:50This week, Pastor Keion Henderson drops some serious wisdom from his new book Lazy Love, and shares the four key threats that can shake even the strongest relationships. He gets real about his own journey—growing up with a single mom, feeling overlooked, and turning that pain into purpose. Keion also shares practical tools to help you understand yo…
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Outside The Bay with Daniel Hawes from Shapers Collective NZ
1:04:06
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1:04:06In this episode, I chat with Daniel Hawes from Shapers Collective, New Zealand. Howie and I recently discussed the feedback we received about the difficulties currently facing shapers around the world. Shortly after hearing our chat, Daniel reached out to share a business model he is implementing. An Australian expat living in a town named Mangawha…
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The Wrap is back with a look at sustainable apartments and the reality of spending a bit more to make a unit cheaper to live in. The latest message is that even if the average ‘green’ unit costs $11k more, it will save you heaps of money… and salve your conscience too. We also uncover two worrying trends in one of our states where developers are lo…
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This week, powerhouse entrepreneur and CEO Loren Ridinger—co-founder of Market America and SHOP.COM—opens up about the sudden loss of her husband, J.R. Ridinger. Together, they built an empire rooted in ambition, family, and purpose. In this powerful episode, Loren shares how she transformed grief into growth, pain into purpose, and heartbreak into…
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Unlearn What's Holding You Back with Oludara Adeeyo
57:45
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57:45This week, I’m joined by powerhouse Oludara Adeeyo—therapist, journalist, and best-selling author—who’s here to help you stop people-pleasing, ditch self-doubt, and start trusting your gut. We’re diving into how to tap into your inner power and unlearn the habits holding you back. From solo dates to sipping your tea while it’s still hot, Oludara sh…
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Director Alan G. Parker on Borrowed Time; The Truth Behind John Lennon's Final Years REVEALED! Alan G. Parker, director of Hello Quo Love Kills: The Story of Sid and the Pistols and It Was Fifty Years Ago Today... Sgt Pepper and Beyond, BORROWED TIME: LENNON'S LAST DECADE explores the final decade of Lennon's life in extraordinary detail. Alan G. P…
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Did you know that getting on for 4.5 million Australians live in strata? And who do you think comprises the single largest demographic group, from singles and couples through to one-parent families? Can you even take a wild guess at the total value of strata properties in Oz, or what percentage of strata schemes don’t have strata managers? This wee…
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Secrets to a Happier Life with Gretchen Rubin
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1:07:30This week happiness expert Gretchen Rubin shares practical tips for living with more purpose, joy, and clarity. Get ready to swap your “to-do” list for a “TA-DA” list, discover the link between happiness and your sense of purpose, and learn simple hacks to boost your happiness every day. Whether you’re looking to strengthen relationships or elimina…
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Chris Bostock; JoBoxers, Style Council and Dave Stewart; The life of a Bass Guitar Player Chris Bostock is an English musician, songwriter, and music producer, best known as the bassist for the 1980s new wave band JoBoxers. Born in Bristol in 1962, Bostock began his musical journey with classical piano at age six before transitioning to guitar and …
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Lee Swillingham; Inside The FACE Magazine; a style Revolution That Changed British Culture! To watch the interview go here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmZAmkcJC4k Lee Swillingham, former Art Director of The Face magazine and co-curator of The Face; Culture Shirt Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London, is a distinguished British…
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There's a lot going on in the strata sphere this week, starting with the Sydney Morning Herald's big expose on building defects. It's well worth reading but it's funny how every time a new reporter writes about this stuff, it's treated as if it's just been discovered. Speaking as people who have been on this beat for two decades, we are just glad t…
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How Menopause Can Be the Best Chapter of Your Life with Tamsen Fadal
54:45
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54:45This week, journalist and menopause advocate Tamsen Fadal joins me to shed light on the often overlooked phase of life: menopause. We’re discussing hot flashes, brain fog, and the emotional rollercoaster. But don’t worry—Tamsen shows me how menopause can be a gift, a chance to reset, prioritize yourself, and feel your best. We’ll share our own stor…
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In this episode, I chat with Wayne Roach from Roach Approach surfboards. Wayne's story is a classic tale about a boy that fell in love with surfing at a young age and developed a passion for surfboards. Wayne or 'Roachy' as he is more commonly known, was a product of the bustling surf industry in Cronulla during the 70's and 80's. Roachy worked und…
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