Thank you for being with us this season! In this final episode of this season, we are looking at some new and old Melbourne additions and traditions. We're looking at expensive burgers, expensive drinks at the footy, the New Wave rap collective based in Cranbourne, remembering the Hillsborough disaster and also asking the question: why are Australian native foods so limited in its availability in Australian supermarkets? Under Cover is produced by RMIT Journalism students. Producer: Gabriel Mill...
Jun 02, 2023•28 min
Welcome to episode 5 of the Under Cover podcast! In this episode, we'll be looking at the stories behind entertainment and music venues in Melbourne. From the city's first women-only bar that somehow is also connected to the highly popular television show the Bachelorette, the burgeoning rave revival in Melbourne, to the agony and ecstasy of The Tote. We also look at the town of Bulla, where its residents have been dealing with possibly toxic soil from the West Gate Tunnel project. A bit of warn...
May 19, 2023•28 min
This episode of Under Cover goes deep into mysterious places of Melbourne and tell stories about the characters in them. From a ghost in a haunted theatre, the mysterious artist Rone to the deep mysterious unelectable place that the Liberal party in Australia seems to have found themselves in. We also looked at the labyrinthine AFL drug policy and where some wonky-looking fruits go to in Australia. Producer: Mishelle Tongco Assistant Producer: Olivia Sanders Presenters: Matt Slocum and Ethan Ben...
May 12, 2023•26 min
In this week’s episode, our reporters look at the revival of live music performances in the Mornington Peninsula, and the small but zesty Caribbean food community in Melbourne. We also have stories for you about the creation and influence of fashion label Jag, as well as how the COVID-19 pandemic has altered journalism. Producer: Lulu Graham Assistant Producer: Declan Bailey Presenter: Amy Upton-Stokes Reporters: Zoe De Koning, Declan Bailey and Sana Ahmadzai...
May 05, 2023•23 min
In this week's episode, our reporters look at the issues surrounding traffic and congestion in Melbourne, a dive into the thinking processes behind playground construction, the AFL community's issue with targeting of young players, an explanation into the increase in Chinese women studying abroad, and the rise and success of speed dating throughout the city. Reporters: Rafael Gerster, James Dowling, Yiran Xue, Jackson Haddad and Courtney Holder Presenters: Cloey Nash and Adam Miller Producer: Ch...
Apr 28, 2023•25 min
Welcome back to Under Cover! We are now in our fourth season as we continue to report on stories about our digital and non-digital lives in post pandemic Melbourne. For this episode, we are looking at the popularity of BookTok and its impacts on local book communities in Melbourne. We also have a story for you about digital drivers’ licences and why Melbournians want them, and the dilemma that Australian Rules league AFL has with concussion after the influx of past players coming forward with li...
Apr 21, 2023•30 min
In today's episode, we will be exploring screen addiction among young people in Australia, shark liver harvesting in the cosmetics industry, 'booksmart' vs 'streetsmart' in Australian culture, developments around Web3 and a story about Australia's capabilities to predict and tackle natural disasters. Producer: Chloe Henry Assistant Producer: Zak Wheeler Presenter: Thom Monaghan Reporters: Rebecca Broadhead, Alexandra Marcocci, Olivia Thomson, Thom Monaghan. Reyam Alyasery
Jul 01, 2022•41 min
In this week's episode, we will be looking at the phenomenon of green washing, but we will also look at the psychology of seeing a lot of green and how going to locations of nature can really do wonders for your health. One way to see beautiful greenery in Australia is by going to wineries - but climate change might change the way wine industries in Australia operate. Still on psychology, do you know what might actually be good for your kids? Lockdown. Only if you do it well, obviously. And be t...
Jun 17, 2022•29 min
Producer: Gabriel Rule Assistant Producer: Maya Van Es Presenter: Brigita Hare Reporters: Brigita Hare, Micaela Togher, Liam McNally, Conor McKinnon, Aidan Williams
Jun 03, 2022•31 min
In this episode, we will explore the experiences of Australians with Ukrainian heritage during the Russian Invasion, the protection of Bells Beach, one of Australia’s most famous beaches, and the dangers of online dating.
May 27, 2022•23 min
Story One: Australia takes pride in their sport and with some of our biggest athletes starting from the age they can hold a ball. But according to a recently published report by Women In Sport, more and more young girls are choosing to drop out of sports and other physical activities around their teenage years. So why teenage girls are becoming more dis-engaged with sports and what we can do to help? Story Two: A new study has shown how climate change influenced disasters and environmental losse...
May 20, 2022•31 min
Story 1: The Grapple for Groundwater The extraction of groundwater that ends up in bottled water is big business for the companies that mine and sell the water. But for residents in the communities where the water is taken from, it’s often the cause of concern and controversy. Hear from some of the rural communities who are taking on the industry, over the hidden water beneath our feet. Story 2: The Cost for Care It's commonly said that Australia has one of the best healthcare systems in the wor...
May 13, 2022•29 min
In this episode, we explore the consequences of climate change in the workplace. Climate change is not something that is way off in the future; it is here now, and its impacts are being felt by Australian workers. As extreme weather becomes more prevalent, what can be done to protect workers and prepare for the future? There is a distinct lack of footwear manufacturing industry in Australia due to the cost of labour, skill and machinery shortages, and lack of advanced technology. We chatted with...
May 06, 2022•18 min
In the second episode, we look into: Male Contraception- How NOT to get pregnant. A problem that had no solution until the 1960s when The Pill changed everything for women. But that was the last millennium. Why hasn't there been a male pill in the six decades since? All this time, the only birth control option for men has been the condom. But that could soon change. Indonesian AFL- Sport is a powerful way of bringing people from all walks of life together - and that’s exactly what one small Melb...
Apr 29, 2022•20 min
In the first episode of series three, we investigate the consequences of the Victorian state government’s move to ban commercial fishing in Port Phillip Bay - some five years after the proposed legislation was put to parliament and the bay’s net fishers were given warning that the end of the line was near. At the same time, the inflation rate has nearly tripled since 2019. But with the costly cocktail of fuel price increases, expensive supermarket products and global supply chain issues, the mos...
Apr 22, 2022•24 min
Story 1: There are currently over thirty-six thousand Australians stranded overseas and many have been separated from their families for over a year due to covid-19 border closures.Of course, it would be extremely difficult for any family stuck in this situation… but what if you also found out that one of your loved ones had been diagnosed with cancer…. And you were stuck halfway across the world unable to be by their side.For the past year…. This has been Anna and her son Alex’s reality. Story ...
Jun 04, 2021•54 min
Story 1: Australia’s vaccination campaign is only just starting to gather momentum for those over the age of fifty. But new research is indicating a growing section of Australia’s political-right are unlikely to sign up for the COVID jab. Jack Alfonso explores where this disproportionate growth comes from, and whether or not Australia will see politicisation of the vaccine as observed overseas. Story 2: Regardless of what position you fall on the political spectrum, people across the board seem ...
Jun 03, 2021•35 min
Story one: Despite sounding modern, anti-vaccination activists are actually nothing new. Daniel Cook speaks with Oxford doctoral researcher Paula Larsson about the history of the anti-vaccination movement, charting its development from the first vaccine in 1796. For more on Paula Larsson, you can follow her on Twitter: @paulalars. Story two: As the Australian arts industry begins its slow recovery after being decimated by the global pandemic, it faces a new threat that could halt progress in its...
May 14, 2021•25 min
Story One: Wellness influencers and lifestyle gurus are finding themselves in positions of power across social media. They’ve been afforded more trust and intimacy with their audiences than ever before. Followers of influencers and social media personalities have turned to them for information and advice on a range of health concerns, despite these so called ‘gurus’ having little to no credentials. Reporter: James Kleeman. Story Two: Coronavirus information has spread rapidly, particularly on Yo...
May 07, 2021•32 min
Story one: With under 50s being advised not to have the AstraZeneca vaccine, young people are at the centre of the Covid-19 conversation. Olivia Smith explores if they have lost confidence in the vaccine. Story two: Josh Farrell explains how the vaccine will prevent future lockdowns, what herd immunity is and the importance of the vaccine; speaking with Professor Catherine Bennett. Story three: Health care workers have been at the front of the fight against coronavirus. But despite the Morrison ...
Apr 30, 2021•32 min
For updated information about Australia’s vaccine rollout see the government website here . Story One: The access to news and information has never been greater, but the circulation of misinformation in local football clubs is just as great, Eli Duxson dissects why. Story Two: Caspar McLeod talks to psychologist Maria Marshall about the mental health impact misinformation and misconceptions have on queer individuals. Story Three: Professional sport was ‘hit for six’ in 2020 thanks to the coronav...
Apr 23, 2021•33 min
Story 1: With so much information swirling around about vaccines, it’s worth taking a step back and viewing the bigger picture about how and why misinformation reaches us. Reporter: Matt Parnell Story 2: The pandemic has been a test of faith for many. This pushed faith leaders to spread the message of God while also righting the wrong of misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. While this may sound all positive, there are some concerns. This is a larger investigation we are conducting, but in thi...
Apr 16, 2021•39 min
If you’re into music reviews, interviews with artists, and music journalism, you know Eve Barlow… or at least you know her work. You might also know her as the journalist fighting against the prediction of the end of journalism. In this bonus interview, journalist Eva Marchingo asks Eve about the future of music journalism in the wake of Coronavirus and beyond.
Jul 11, 2020•11 min
Episode 1 | Stronger Bonds Karly Smith No one could have predicted what this year would hold for us all, but it seems the corona-virus pandemic has caused family and friends to become more important than ever before. Karly Smith dissects the reality of relationships coming out of isolation. Episode 2 | Where to? Siri Smith With the COVID-19 pandemic putting a halt on overseas travel, what lies in the distant future of those whose livelihoods depend on travel, and how has it affected people whose...
Jul 11, 2020•48 min
This episode, we’re looking at how things have changed from what we’re used to, from the media landscape to volunteering. How has the news industry changed and will those changes be permanent? How productive is too productive and are you too dedicated to “the hustle”? How do athletes and regular people train and exercise under restrictions ? What happens when volunteers can’t work any more? All these questions and more, explored in this episode of Under Cover. Producer: Mikayla Van Loon Assistan...
Jun 05, 2020•27 min
Story 1 | Tourism Towns Patrick Gabriel Over the past few months, coronavirus has put restraints on both domestic and international travel. Places that rely heavily on tourism like Byron Bay have become ghost towns, rendering locals unemployed and businesses indefinitely closed. However, the unprecedented event also brought some positive change - an unyielding community spirit. Story 2 | Van Life April Austen In recent years, #vanlife has been the dream of many millennials worldwide. Boundless f...
May 15, 2020•43 min
For reporter Saba Hashmi and her family, Ramadan is not only about fasting; it is also a time for giving and undertaking charity work, spending time with family and friends, spiritual reflection and prayers. This year, however, Ramadan is not going to be like previous years. During Ramadan, Mosques are usually a place of congregation for people to break their fast and pray together. With isolation measures due to COVID-19, this cannot happen this year. But this doesn't mean Saba and her family c...
May 14, 2020•7 min
Story 1 | Drugs & Alcohol Reporter: Brodie Hoyne We’ve all turned to different coping mechanisms during isolation, but one many share is an affinity for the drink. Liquor store owners are comparing their commercial boon to Christmas, with the nation increasing their spending on booze by at least a third on average. But illegal drug use is also on the rise in less traceable ways and in ways you wouldn’t expect. Story 2 | Dog Walking Reporter: Mikayla van Loon With the surplus of free time, ma...
May 08, 2020•50 min
Have you read the Washington Post's story on flattening the curve? The one with dots bouncing off each other? That's the work of reporter Harry Stevens, one of the many journalists around the world who are working amazingly hard to give us the best information you can get about the world we are living in, despite the challenges of not being able to function as usual in a newsroom. Harry Stevens' work is also interesting in another way - his way of using data visualisation gives us a glimpse to h...
May 08, 2020•10 min
Story 1 - Supermarkets For weeks, Australian supermarkets were a place of stress, anxiety and empty shelves. The public panicked and hastily overstocked on supplies. As a result, supermarket workers often copped the brunt of our fear and aggression. Ruby Maclean-Swann is one of those workers. Reporter - Katie Martin Story 2 - Mask Explainer Face masks. Everyone is scrambling to get them, but how much do we really know about them? What kind of masks do we need? What will protect us? And what will...
May 01, 2020•50 min
