All Episodes

Kenny is a Traditional Owner from the Meuram Clan of Erub in the Torres Strait Islands. During the past two decades he has been integral in developing traditional and commercial fisheries and held many community-based roles. Since 2006, he has been a member of the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) and previously served as the Deputy Mayor for Torres Strait Island Regional Council.
Kenny is dedicated to supporting the development and growth of communities where he enjoyed his younger years. He is a Director at Reconciliation Australia and a member of the NAIDOC committee.

Interview between Gabe Waterman and Mark Hogan about the upcoming exhibitions and events that are happening and the Art Centre's involvement and preparation for CIAF - Cairns Indigenous Arts Centre, as well as an exhibition in Darwin.
Wik & Kugu Arts is a place where traditional and contemporary cultural expression is nurtured and some of the most highly collectable art forms in Australia can be found. Beginning as an independent arts initiative in the 1970s, it wasn’t until 2001 that the centre was officially established to service the five Clan groups of Aurukun: Apalech, Putch, Sara, Wanam and Winchanam. Renowned for contemporary ritual sculpture, fibre-art and ochre-based painting practices, Aurukun’s visual art embodies Ancestral narratives that support and maintain spiritual and historical connections to Country. The cultural precinct of Wik & Kugu includes a men’s workshop, a women’s painting studio and a small gallery space.
Aurukun’s five Clan groups have their own unique histories and understanding of the Land as well as interlinked connections with other Clans. There are no simple political linguistic groups in Aurukun. The people do own, by right of Clan birth and Country, a recognised variety of languages. With a population of 1200 people, Aurukun is home to one of only 12 strong Traditional Aboriginal Language’s left in the country. Wik-Mungkan, the lingua franca of the community, is also considered the only “living and thriving” Traditional Aboriginal Language left in Queensland (AIATSIS 2020).

Interview between Mark Hogan and Steve Renouf, Australian Digital Health Agency Consumer Advocate, Rugby league legend, digital health expert and proud Gunggari and Gubbi Gubbi man, Steve Renouf, is a key spokesperson for the Australian Digital Health Agency.
They discuss the Flu shot and Digital Health.
Don’t put your health on hold - Flooded, stranded, too sick to travel to your GP - My Health Record, Electronic Prescriptions and Telehealth can help - Digital health tools can help to maintain your health and wellbeing.

Interview between Mark Hogan and Steve Renouf, Australian Digital Health Agency Consumer Advocate, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Champion and Co-Chair of the Agency’s Reconciliation Working Group and national Medicines Safety Program.
Rugby league legend, digital health expert and proud Gunggari and Gubbi Gubbi man, Steve Renouf, is a key spokesperson for the Australian Digital Health Agency.
Steve has played a important role in policy, media and community engagement at the Agency. His wise counsel, erudite contribution to health sector debate and deliberation, and his good humour and compassion are invaluable.
In this interview he discusses reconciliation, what it means to him and indigenous people.

Mark Hogan had the opportunity to chat to Bernard Namok (Jnr) about the Torres Strait Island 30th year Flag Anniversary.
The Torres Strait Islander Flag is an official flag of Australia, and is the flag that represents Torres Strait Islander people. It was designed in 1992 by Bernard Namok. It won a local competition held by the Islands Coordinating Council, and was recognised by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission in June 1992.

Mark Hogan Interviews Police Liaisons Officers, Tony Bani and Joe Banu about National Reconciliation week, 30 years of the Torres strait Flag and 30 years of Mabo Case.

Mark Hogan Interviews Karen Mundine, CEO of Reconciliation Australia. They discuss Reconciliation week and the importance of it.
Karen Mundine is from the Bundjalung Nation of northern NSW. As the CEO at Reconciliation Australia, Ms Mundine brings to the role more than 20 years’ experience leading community engagement, public advocacy, communications and social marketing campaigns. Over the course of her career she has been instrumental in some of Australia’s watershed national events including the Apology to the Stolen Generations, Centenary of Federation commemorations, Corroboree 2000 and the 1997 Australian Reconciliation Convention.
Ms Mundine holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Technology Sydney and is a Director of the Gondwana Choirs and the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre.
Previous roles include Mary Mackillop Board Director, Deputy Chief Executive and General Manager Communication and Engagement, Reconciliation Australia; Senior Consultant, CPR Communications; senior public affairs and communications roles with federal government departments including Prime Minister and Cabinet and Foreign Affairs and Trade.

On the Highway to Health…
Heart of Australia is the first mobile medical program delivering specialist services to regional and remote communities in Queensland.
They have been extremely busy over the past few days in Cairns running free lung check service for former and retired mine and quarry workers!
Mark Hogan had the opportunity to drop by for his own screening and have a chat about the work HEART 5 is doing to aid in early detection of lung diseases amongst these communities who are most vulnerable.
Over the next few months HEART 5 will be visiting Moranbah, Emerald, Rockhampton, Clermont, Collinsville, Winton, Mackay, Townsville, Bundaberg and Mount Isa.
You can check your eligibility and make a booking for this service by calling ☎ 1300 445 715 or visiting 👉 https://www.rshq.qld.gov.au/miners-health-matters
#heartofaustralia #heart5project #markhoganbrekkieshow #blackstarradio #menshealth

Mark Hogan visited the Heart of Australia truck in Cairns parked at the Cairns Show Grounds.
On the Highway to Health…
Heart of Australia is the first mobile medical program delivering specialist services to regional and remote communities in Queensland.
Heart of Australia
The service:
Heart of Australia began in 2014 and is the brainchild of Brisbane-based cardiologist Doctor Rolf Gomes.
The service delivers specialist care to Dalby, Stanthorpe, Goondiwindi, St George, Quilpie, Charleville, Miles, Roma, Childers, Biloela, Moura, Banana, Theodore, Blackall, Barcaldine, Longreach, Winton, Cloncurry, Hughenden, Charters Towers, Moranbah, Emerald, Richmond, Rolleston, Springsure, Middlemount, Sarina, Proserpine, Ayr, and Cooktown. Static clinics are provided in Palm Island and Weipa.
The fleet of Heart of Australia trucks has travelled more than 500,000 kilometres.
The new truck HEART 5, will see Heart of Australia travel around 50,000 kilometres per year to coal fields across the Bowen and Surat Basins, the North West Minerals Province, and the opal and gem fields in the west and south west of the state.
Heart of Australia has seen more than 12,00 unique patients over the past seven years.
Heart of Australia has saved more than 500 lives to date.
From January 2021 to December 2021, Heart of Australia saw 7,243 patients at 343 clinics, saving 4,482,082 kilometres if patients needed to travel to nearest alternative specialist care.
The truck:
The HEART 5 truck was built in Brisbane.
It is a custom, articulated rig built to the standard B-Double road train measurements of 26-metres.
The fifth truck has more than $1 million worth of medical and IT equipment on board, including an X-ray and CT scanner.
HEART 5 has two consult rooms, two tech rooms, waiting area verandas, a wheelchair access lift, full kitchen, AV systems with screens and projectors, a reception area, full air conditioning and toilet facilities.
The truck can be self-powered for up to 10 days using diesel, batteries, and solar panels.
The truck is driven by a DAF XF 530 prime mover.
Referral Form | Heart of Australia

Mark Hogan interviews Lara Watson who is a Birri Gubba woman from Central West Queensland and the Indigenous Officer with the ACTU. She has been involved with the Trade Union movement for almost 15 years. Lara has worked on numerous Indigenous campaigns with Unions, including the fight for Muckaty, Queensland Stolen Wages, the NT Intervention, and she is currently organising the First Nations Workers Alliance & the ‘Wage Justice’ campaign for Community Development Workers in remote Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities.

Interview with Tony Bani and Mark Hogan, talking about 'The Return to Country (R2C) Program' which is a partnership between the Queensland Police Service & the Department of Transport and Main Roads to assist people who become stranded and homeless in Cairns and who are also from Cape and Torres Strait Island communities.

Interview with Mark Hogan and Senior Sergeant Warren Flegg, Officer in Charge of Weipa Police Station. They discuss Road safety, Boating Safety and ways that you can stay safe and ensure you are keeping your family and community safe.

Mark Hogan Interviews Fiona Wirrer-George who has recently received her PhD in Philosophy.
Fiona is a Cape York woman descending from the Mbaiwum/Trotj and Alngith/Liningithi Wikway Nations of Western Cape York. Fiona also has strong traditional ties to the Wik of Cape York through her maternal great-grandmother, pre-dominantly Wik Apalich.
What a significant achievement for Fiona who has achieved an amazing milestone in her life not only for herself but all her people.
Fiona has an impressive portfolio, a graduate of James Cook University (B Ed), NAISDA Dance College (Diploma of Dance), Sydney and Queensland University of Technology (Master in Education, Major in School Guidance and Counselling), she is a freelance performer, educator, writer and choreographer. Fiona has also completed a Graduate Certificate in Research Methodology and is a casual online lecturer of post-graduate students at James Cook University, Cairns Campus. She has authored five books and three stage plays, and her works have been showcased both nationally and internationally. She has been choreographer of the CIAF fashion show since 2015.
Fiona celebrated this occasion with a meaningful ceremony, shared with families and community.

Interview between Mark Hogan and Lesley Mallard from the Royal Flying Doctors Service,
The Australian Government announces Flying Doctor 10 year partnership.
With the funding and support, more services can be made available and more people can be provided healthcare in remote regions.

Mark Hogan interviews Jessie Williams, The Senior Program Officer for the indigenous Youth Leadership Program.
Jessie explains the program, the importance of it and how it impacts the community as well as how to apply to be a part of the program.