Australian poet and storyteller Murray Hartin joins Chimes for an hour of bush yarns, sporting memories and poetry that moves from hilarious to deeply heartfelt.

Murray shares how a Tamworth poetry competition launched his career, recalls his rugby days and performs tributes to Dawn Fraser and woodchopping legend David Foster. He also delivers “Turbulence”, the powerful “Rain from Nowhere” and a cheeky poem written especially for the Fanatics TV crew.

A conversation about Australian characters, friendship, family and the power of a good story.

This episode contains strong language and discussion of depression and suicide.

TIMECODES

00:00 - Introducing Murray Hartin

01:00 - Finding poetry and winning at Tamworth

04:07 - Rugby yarns and the story behind “Gluteus Maximus”

06:21 - “Gluteus Maximus” performance

08:23 - Remembering poems and making a living

10:03 - Journalism, Tamworth and the Naked Poets

12:07 - Getting to know Dawn Fraser

15:10 - Dawn Fraser tribute performance

18:58 - Dawn’s story behind the Olympic flag controversy

20:36 - Woodchopping legend David Foster

22:17 - Smart Pups and changing lives

23:26 - “Born to Swing an Axe” performance

27:34 - Turning real lives into poetry

28:40 - Murray’s shortest poem

29:56 - Gympie Muster and poets’ breakfasts

30:38 - Radio, Parliament and the reach of poetry

32:15 - Billy Hayes and the story behind “Turbulence”

35:17 - “Turbulence” performance

39:18 - Poetry in schools and connecting with a crowd

42:41 - “The Tragic Kiwi Love Poem” performance

43:48 - Finding ideas, Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson

47:48 - The story behind “Rain from Nowhere”

50:56 - “Rain from Nowhere” performance

54:39 - Footy memories and catching up with Murray

56:11 - The koala and possum gunfight

56:47 - The Tamworth winning poem performance

58:23 - “Chimes of the Times”, a poem for Fanatics TV

01:00:05 - Final thoughts and farewell

Head to www.fanatics.tv for written versions of these interviews.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🏉 Welcome to Chiming In

Ben Lovett joins the show to share his powerful rugby league journey, from growing up in Parkes and chasing an NRL dream, to breaking through at South Sydney before a devastating knee injury changed everything.

Ben opens up on the physical and emotional reality of rehabilitation, being advised to medically retire, the support of his family and South Sydney, and finding a new purpose through coaching, community work and mentoring young players.

⏱️ TIMECODES

0:00 — Welcome to Chiming In

2:20 — Growing up in Parkes, sport and a love of rugby league

6:00 — Being spotted and moving to Sydney to chase the dream

11:30 — Finding his feet at South Sydney

20:00 — Working through the grades and earning his opportunity

24:20 — NRL debut, family support and Sam Burgess’ influence

26:30 — The NSW Cup grand final and the devastating knee injury

30:15 — Diagnosis, surgery and the long rehabilitation process

33:20 — When medical retirement became a real possibility

35:10 — Souths Cares, community work and finding purpose during rehab

37:00 — Wayne Bennett’s difficult but honest retirement conversation

40:00 — Trying to return, telling his family and accepting the decision

42:00 — Transitioning into coaching at South Sydney

45:40 — Mentoring young players and life in the player house

50:30 — Mental health, grief and asking for support

52:00 — Ben’s advice for young players and parents

54:10 — Living without regret and looking ahead

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Terry Kennedy joins Chiming In for a brilliant trip through his career in Australian sport and media

From growing up around greyhound tracks with his father Frank Kennedy, to learning the ropes in regional newsrooms and calling almost 200 NRL games, TK shares the stories, characters and moments that shaped his career.

He also reflects on working alongside some of sport’s biggest names, his love of racing, unforgettable trips to Hong Kong, South Africa and Royal Ascot, plus the changing landscape of Australian racing and sports media.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 — Welcome to Chiming In

1:30 — Terry Kennedy’s early media days and radio stories

6:00 — Growing up as a punter and life around the racetrack

10:00 — Frank Kennedy, greyhound racing and family memories

15:00 — School, rugby league and Terry’s first break in journalism

20:00 — Early newsroom disasters and finding his feet on air

25:00 — Queensland sport, Wally Lewis and league’s great characters

30:00 — Calling nearly 200 NRL games and the arrival of pay TV

35:00 — Covering sport: commentary boxes, sideline reporting and TV memories

40:00 — Wild racing stories from South Africa and country race days

45:00 — Melbourne Cup memories, Hong Kong and Royal Ascot

50:00 — The future of racing, ownership and wagering

55:00 — Sporting icons, Greg Norman and media’s big personalities

1:00:30 — Wayne Bennett, final stories and wrap-up

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.