Mount Zero
100 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago -Mount Zero, is the serial podcast version of Douglas Gellatly‘s Wimmera trilogy.
In the story Richard and Max meet by coincidence in the remote Wyperfield National Park in the far North-West of the Wimmera.
After a moment of embarrassment, the two men realise that they have a lot in common.
They arrange to keep in touch ... and much more happens over the next thirty-five years.
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Episodes
All Aboard!
March 02, 2022 19:00 - 8 minutes - 10.1 MBTwo young men happen to travel together on the 'Overland Express'. Their time together on the train ends with embarrassment. Then, over fifty years later and in a totally different setting, they meet again. This time there is great accord.
Little Cannon, Big Bang!
February 23, 2022 19:00 - 7 minutes - 8.85 MBAn historic story in an old Australian goldfields town is enhanced with the inclusion of a cannon. Wilfred, the cannoneer, might have miscalculated.
Pierre And Sam
February 16, 2022 19:00 - 8 minutes - 10.2 MBDuring Pierre and Sam's first date there is a big problem. Pierre is surprised but understanding. Then, enter Pierre's mother ... she is immediately perplexed. Shirley has to ask some really personal questions to fully understand something. It is complicated.
Four 50-word Short Stories
February 09, 2022 19:00 - 8 minutes - 9.56 MBThis bonus episode is a collection of 4 really short stories. Fire! ... Balloon ... Diva ... Silence Broken.
My Outstanding Grandmother
February 02, 2022 19:00 - 8 minutes - 9.98 MBWhen he completes his schooling, Justin leaves his small country home town because of his closeted sexual orientation. When his father dies some years later he finds himself back in the town. With his partner beside him, Justin has a revealing discussion with his grandmother and she makes a speech to all of the family.
Shame
January 26, 2022 19:00 - 8 minutes - 9.67 MBThis bonus episode is on the subject of gay shame and being true to one's self.
The First Kiss
January 19, 2022 19:00 - 9 minutes - 10.6 MBThis bonus episode is a little story about a two-year lead up to a very precious first kiss.
Hildegard
January 12, 2022 19:00 - 24 minutes - 27.8 MBHere is a short story about a young boy who has a personality clash with a much older woman. It does not end well.
Lost In Music & Cop This
January 05, 2022 19:00 - 11 minutes - 13.5 MBHere are two short stories that involve police. The first is about a police honours funeral in an Australian country town which involves the Victoria Police Pipe Band. The second is a completely different story that is a bit naughty.
The Mudflap
December 29, 2021 19:00 - 10 minutes - 11.5 MBAdvice: Further discussion on depression and self-harm. In this bonus episode our story takes us to the top of a mountain and then over the top. On our group's descent, I discovered a mudflap fallen from a four-wheel drive vehicle. Then there are my reflections on anxiety and mental health issues from some work I used to do. This then leads to the work being done in Australia by The Naked Farmer organisation.
Reprieve
December 22, 2021 19:00 - 40 minutes - 45.8 MBAdvice: This story is about self-harm, and hope. Kingsley goes for a bush walk. He happens upon a young man in distress. Going up to the young man, he disrupts what was about to happen. They talk. Then Kingsley invites Sean to his house. Sean absorbs his new surrounds at Kingsley's home. Kingsley tells of his life's journey. From that, Sean tells a bit about his own life. Sean accepts Kingsley's invitation to stay with him for two nights. There is further talk which helps Sean to reflect on...
Doris And Atticus
December 15, 2021 19:00 - 12 minutes - 14.3 MBThis bonus episode is two true stories about the emus we have kept at our place. The second story was the inspiration for a scene in my Mount Zero podcast show.
Night Train To Murtoa
December 08, 2021 19:00 - 22 minutes - 25.9 MBSteve boards the 'Overland Express' in Melbourne to return to his home town, Murtoa. The eight-seat compartment is full. But by the time the train leaves Stawell there is only Steve and Tommy, who he had not met before, remaining in the compartment. As the train nears Murtoa, Tommy asks a question that Steve does not know how to answer.
Singapore
December 01, 2021 19:13 - 27 minutes - 31.3 MBTrevor Adkin announces that he has a new part-time job. Rory, Danny, Nigel and Pedro all meet together in Singapore. The four men spend much time in each other's company as tourists. They also spend times with Wendy and Howard. One night, they all dine at a Michelin Star award-winning dumpling restaurant. For the men's final night in Singapore all six friends dine together at Raffles Hotel. In their bed-time conversation that night, Rory and Danny sum up their comparisons between Singapore a...
Debrief
November 24, 2021 19:00 - 25 minutes - 28.7 MBRory and Danny lay out a Boxing Day breakfast for Wendy, Howard and Nigel. There is extensive discussion about Muriel Ferguson and Curtis Sturrock. The conversation then turns to a potential get-together for them all in Singapore in about four month's time. Two weeks later, Carl and Kerry call in on Danny and Rory and in their conversation they talk happily of their financial situation. They are also content to allow Karma to work on Curtis Sturrock, and this seems to be already happening.
The Aftermath
November 17, 2021 19:00 - 24 minutes - 27.9 MBCurtis Sturrock receives treatment for his cut arm. Delma's funeral then moves to the Corker's Creek cemetery. Muriel Ferguson is taken by ambulance to the Wimmera Base Hospital in Horsham. The Watkinses and the Jaggers ask to have a chat with Rory and Danny as they have something significant to reveal to them. Christmas guests arrive at Harmony Farm. Nigel calls in to Corker's Creek Park after leaving his mother. Arrangements are made for Wendy, Howard and Nigel to go to Rory and Danny's pl...
Delma Sturrock‘s Funeral
November 10, 2021 19:00 - 23 minutes - 26.5 MBThe Anglican church in Corker's Creek is full for Delma Sturrock's Funeral. Delma's husband, Curtis Sturrock, commits a serious social no-no while the funeral service is happening. This triggers Muriel Ferguson to launch an attack on Curtis in the church. The funeral is absolutely disrupted. But the tense tide turns when Carl Jagger takes action.
Nigel Ferguson
November 03, 2021 19:00 - 28 minutes - 33 MBAlfie helps out again at Harmony Farm. Muriel Ferguson's son, Nigel, goes to see Doctor Rory about his mother. An appointment for her is set up. The Christmas concert at 'Girrakool' happens on Thursday. Ivy and two of her performing friends help out. Rory performs too. Nigel visits Rory and Danny late on the same day at Corker's Creek Park. While Nigel is there, Wendy and Howard call in.
Crash!
October 27, 2021 19:00 - 23 minutes - 27.2 MBFrank Sondheim goes to Doctor Rory for treatment. While he's there, Frank learns that Maureen will be flying their daughter, Cynthia, to Bendigo straight away, also for medical assessment. Danny and his ambulance colleague receive an emergency call to a plane crash. Maureen and Cynthia are both seriously injured and a helicopter ambulance is called to transfer them to a Melbourne hospital. The incident raises problems regarding pre-Christmas events at Corker's Creek.
Burglars And Rumours
October 20, 2021 19:00 - 21 minutes - 25.1 MBBurglars strike at Corker's Creek. Xantha and Winona Parker are quickly arrested. Max meets with Curtis and Wendy to arrange Delma's funeral. Danny goes for a hair cut, and another dose of town gossip from Hetty who also includes mention of Muriel Ferguson's son. Curtis Sturrock goes to see Doctor Rory. Trevor and Louise drive out to visit Danny and Rory. Louise speaks of Mindy Bright's change of attitude.
Storm
October 13, 2021 19:00 - 26 minutes - 29.8 MBRory and Danny go for a farm walk near Carl and Kerry's ripe wheat crops. Maureen Sondheim asks Rory to take part in a Christmas concert. The Jaggers move their harvesting machinery in to Corker's Creek Park just before a thunderstorm arrives. The storm is really destructive and, amongst other things, completely destroys Carl and Kerry's wheat crops. Frank Sondheim comes in to see Rory and announces that Delma Sturrock has died.
Ballarat
October 06, 2021 19:00 - 23 minutes - 27.3 MBRory and Danny "debrief" on the day's activities. A phone call is made to Wendy and Howard. Danny's parents arrive. The next day, Wendy phones Rory and Danny at breakfast time. The men offer to bring Wendy back to Corker's Creek. Delma asks to see Rory. Howard and the children leave for Tullamarine Airport at Melbourne. Alfie gets a confirmed diagnosis and medication. Hetty Crackjaw shares more gossip with Rory.
Daphne The Emu
September 29, 2021 20:00 - 26 minutes - 30.3 MBCurtis Sturrock pays an unannounced visit to 'Dunbarton'. He encounters an obstacle. Anna Watkins goes to his aid. Curtis is taken to the Health Service in Corker's Creek. Doctor Rory attends to him, then sends Curtis to the Wimmera Base Hospital in Horsham by ambulance. Meanwhile, Alfie has a medical problem too.
Howard and Wendy
September 22, 2021 20:00 - 26 minutes - 29.8 MBRory and Danny wander around at the Corker's Creek Agricultural Show. They stop by at Sturrock's display to chat with Danny's father and Curtis Sturrock. Heiner Watkins' son and family arrive there too. Later, Rory and Danny encounter a former fellow medical student of Rory's and his family. Howard Ling's wife is Curtis and Delma Sturrock's daughter. After the show, Ivy, Max and Richard call in at the farm. A few days later the Lings visit Corker's Creek Park. The children learn what a dag i...
The Agricultural Show
September 15, 2021 20:00 - 24 minutes - 27.9 MBAt sunrise Danny picks his show entries from his vegetable garden. With Rory's help, he take the entries to the Corker's Creek Showgrounds. They meet Heiner Watkins there. In the middle of the day they are joined by Max, Richard and Ivy for lunch. They then go off to have a look at the show's displays. Danny wins several prizes. Anna Watkins sees Rory and Danny from her horse on the arena and rides over to them. Later, the men encounter Alfie with a girl-friend.
The New Mindy Bright
September 08, 2021 20:00 - 26 minutes - 30.2 MBRory, Danny and Ivy go to a performance by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Horsham. They meet Heiner and Anna Watkins there. The following day Rory and Danny take a long local walk. They meet Raj on the street then go on to Danny's parents' place. Mindy Bright is visiting Louise and Trevor. Mindy talks of her new thoughts for her future. Plainly, Mindy has had a change of attitude. Danny and Rory go to visit Richard and Max, then on to a picnic in the northern Grampians or Gariwerd.
Celebration
September 01, 2021 20:00 - 20 minutes - 23.4 MBRory and Danny have their 35th birthdays. Byron Bright talks of Mindy's rehabilitation. Then he mentions that he'll quit the local shire council soon and retire from his pharmacy within two years. Louise talks of one of her clients' novel way of treating leg ulcers. Ivy Pasco calls Rory and Danny to wish them happy birthdays. As a birthday present Ivy gives the men tickets to a performance in Horsham by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Trevor Adkin meets Daphne the emu at "Dunbarton".
Mysteries Solved
August 25, 2021 20:00 - 25 minutes - 29.5 MBDanny works out who the mystery woman is. There is an early morning police visit to Harmony Farm. The Sondheims visit Danny and Rory to tell them of their daughter, Cynthia. Delma Sturrock has treatment for her cancer and Louise Adkin visits her as the District Nurse. Mindy Bright goes to a health retreat resort. Xanther Parker has a consultation with Dr Rory. She has a broken bone in her foot.
The Mysterious Woman
August 18, 2021 20:00 - 19 minutes - 22.6 MBDanny reports on his work day. Delma Sturrock is transferred to a Ballarat hospital. Delma's surgeon tells her and Curtis that her cancer is well advanced. Carl and Kerry call in at Corker's Creek Park and tell a story about Alfie. Danny comes upon a mystery woman in the middle of the night on the road between Horsham and Corker's Creek. He calls for police assistance.
Delma's Dilemma
August 11, 2021 20:00 - 23 minutes - 26.4 MBDanny walks home from the town when he drops his car off for a service. Along the way he sees a young woman walking strangely. He also finds an exhausted racing pigeon on the ground. He nurses the bird back to strength and releases it after a week, bearing a written note. Delma Sturrock goes to see Doctor Rory who later removes her skin blemishes. Tests indicate that Delma's prospects appear to be complicated.
Denial and Acceptance
August 04, 2021 20:00 - 20 minutes - 23.7 MBRory and Danny have dinner at the Crown Hotel with Dee and Amrita. Mindy Bright comes in to see Doctor Rory. She is difficult. Rory refers Mindy to additional professional help.
Alfie's Surprise
July 28, 2021 20:00 - 23 minutes - 27.2 MBAlfie goes to Harmony Farm for half a day's work. Alfie sees the mystery girl again. Alfie is sprung in the middle of doing something different. Danny learns some gossip about Muriel Ferguson. Rory and Danny go to town for a Saturday morning coffee and overhear talk about Alfie. They then visit Danny's parents' new home and learn that Louise has gained the District Nursing job. Byron Bright has an appointment to see Doctor Rory and tells Rory of his wife's worrying lifestyle.
Moving Houses x 2
July 21, 2021 20:00 - 24 minutes - 28.1 MBDanny's parents move to Corker's Creek. Louise seeks employment at Girrakool Aged Care Centre. Amrita and Dee purchase Bert Harrop's service station business and his house. They move into Corker's Creek on the same day as the Adkinses. Mindy Bright takes a turn in the middle of the night. Danny is one of the ambulance crew who is called to her aid.
The Truth Comes Out
July 14, 2021 20:00 - 25 minutes - 29.3 MBKerry Jagger has an appointment with Dr Rory Clark. She has a story to tell Rory. Alfie starts part-time work at Harmony Farm. He learns how to get a calf to drink milk supplement from a bucket. Alfie sees a young woman behind a window. Alfie also starts doing mowing at Corker's Creek Park. Carl Jagger challenges Kerry about a serious matter and he gets angry.
Nature's Hand
July 07, 2021 20:00 - 26 minutes - 29.8 MBHouse renovations at Corker's Creek Park have been completed and Rory and Danny plan to celebrate in the new double shower. Carl and Kerry start planting their wheat crops. At sunset, Kerry unexpectedly drives the tractor to the house. She is in a distressing situation that requires medical assistance. Rory and Danny help her, then Carl arrives and he's not happy. Kerry spends the night in hospital.
Bert Harrop's Future Takes Shape
June 30, 2021 20:00 - 20 minutes - 22.9 MBRory and Danny share a meal at The Crown Hotel with Richard and Max. Monica quells a disturbance in the bar. Alfie has a small job at Harmony Farm. Bert Harrop comes out to Corker's Creek to visit the 'young ones'. He announces that he wants to sell his business and move away from the town. Raj Singh's relative is suggested as a possible interested party. Carl and Kerry Jagger bring machinery to Corker's Creek Park.
Looking To The Future
June 23, 2021 20:00 - 21 minutes - 24.7 MBTrevor Adkin applies for a job at Sturrock's Farm Machinery. Max arranges Mrs Harrop's funeral. Danny attends that funeral. Muriel Ferguson verbally attacks Max. Danny helps when one of the intended coffin bearers is unable to get there. Max and Richard dine with Rory and Danny at the Crown Hotel. There is a conversation with Hetty Crackjaw and her partner, Josh.
Dining In Style
June 16, 2021 20:00 - 26 minutes - 29.9 MBRory and Danny have dinner at 'Dunbarton'. The whole evening is truly stylish. But during the meal Heiner Watkins tells the guests of an unfortunate event that happened on their property in its early days.
Vale Mrs Harrop
June 09, 2021 20:00 - 24 minutes - 28.4 MBMrs Harrop becomes seriously ill. Curtis Sturrock visits Corker's Creek Park to let Danny know that there is a job vacancy coming up in his workshop that might attract Danny's father. Mrs Harrop dies. Rory and Danny go to 'Dunbarton' as guests for dinner. Heiner and Anna Watkins are perfect hosts. Rory and Danny meet Daphne, the Watkins' pet emu, before being ushered into the homestead for dinner.
Revelations
June 02, 2021 20:00 - 25 minutes - 29.4 MBHeiner and Anna Watkins have an appointment with Rory subsequent of Heiner's heart surgery. Later in the day, Kerry Jagger goes to see Rory about a problem that she has. Her problem becomes a secret. Dinner plans at 'Dunbarton' are put into place. The Singh family go to Corker's Creek Park for Sunday lunch. After lunch there is a happy time of sharing music.
Maureen Sondheim
May 26, 2021 20:00 - 19 minutes - 21.8 MBRory and Danny meet Maureen Sondheim at the bakery. She runs a farm-stay business and is a piano teacher, amongst other things. Danny goes to Hetty Crackjaw for a hair cut. He encounters Muriel Ferguson there. Hetty asks about Rory's background. Danny invites the Singh family out for a Sunday lunch. Bert Harrop at the garage mentions a second-hand lawn mower that is for sale. Danny ends up buying it.
Mindy Bright Takes A Fall
May 19, 2021 20:00 - 21 minutes - 24.3 MBDanny and his mother help Mindy Bright when she falls on the street. Mindy displays reservations regarding her helpers. Byron Bright comes on the scene. Louise and Trevor have lunch at Danny and Rory's place. There is talk of Danny's parents possibly moving to Corker's Creek. Carl and Kerry Jagger bring a mob of sheep to the farm's sheep yards. Byron Bright returns a towel to Rory, and offers an apology regarding his wife's behaviour.
Facing Difficulties
May 12, 2021 20:00 - 22 minutes - 25.4 MBHeiner Watkins has a cardiac emergency. Danny is involved. Anna Watkins sees her husband briefly at the Horsham Airport before he is flown to Melbourne for surgery. Danny re-assures Anna. Delma Sturrock is a "no show" for her appointment with Rory. Danny's parents visit the boys and the Farmers' Market at Corker's Creek. Curtis Sturrock encounters Rory and Trevor at the market, and he finds a few things out.
More Hetty Crackjaw
May 05, 2021 20:00 - 21 minutes - 24.4 MBRory goes to Hetty Crackjaw's for a hair cut. He is noticed by by an unsmiling Muriel Ferguson. Hetty talks of many people in the district. Rory and Danny then go to the supermarket where Rory meets Raj and Sariswati and their children. Later in the day, Ivy, Richard and Max go to Corker's Creek Park for dinner before staying overnight with Rory and Danny.
Hetty Crackjaw, and more . . .
April 29, 2021 05:44 - 22 minutes - 26.3 MBA conversation takes place in the Corker's Creek hairdressing salon. Rory goes there to make an appointment for a hair cut. Later in the day, Delma Sturrock has a consultation with Rory. She invites Rory to join a select group. Then Delma has a check-up with Rory, who then sets up other tests for Delma to have. Rory and Danny invite Ivy, Max and Richard to visit them the next weekend. Heiner Watkins has a consultation with Rory. There's another invitation and Heiner has a problem.
New Beginnings
April 21, 2021 20:00 - 22 minutes - 25.9 MBRory commences working as a General Practitioner at the Corker's Creek Medical Centre. He has a full day of seeing patients. One is Mrs Mindy Bright and she is difficult. Another one is Alfie, who comes in for a check-up. Danny and Rory accept an invitation to dine at The Crown Hotel on Saturday night. Two couples at a nearby table catch their attention. Monica Selby, the hotel owner, makes a speech about Rory and Danny and Alfie presents the men with a bunch of flowers.
Who's Who In The Zoo
April 14, 2021 20:00 - 26 minutes - 30 MBDanny drives into to Corker's Creek to do some local business. He goes to the Post Office, garage, supermarket, butcher and is then drawn into a conversation at the hotel. When Danny arrives home from his late afternoon shift he reports all of this to Rory.
Alfie
April 07, 2021 19:00 - 14 minutes - 17.1 MBRory and Danny go to the Corker's Creek Farmers' Market. They have a coffee at the bakery before they do any market shopping. While they are shopping at the stalls there is an emergency in the creek immediately behind the market. Danny dives into the creek to rescue a youth. Danny and Rory work together to resuscitate the young man. An ambulance is called. Alfie's mother comes running onto the scene. The local shire councillor arrives to offer community thanks for what Danny and Rory have do...
A Start At Corker's Creek
March 31, 2021 19:00 - 27 minutes - 31.4 MBRory and Danny move into the Corker's Creek community. They receive a verbal attack at the bakery. Rory becomes a new general practitioner in the town. Max and Richard arrive to visit the younger ones. The business arrangement is explained. There is early talk of modifying the house. A local farming couple arrive at Corker's Creek Park to welcome the new-comers to the district.
Doctor Rory Clark
March 24, 2021 19:00 - 25 minutes - 29.1 MBRory and Danny move to Melbourne for their tertiary studies. Over the coming years both young men achieve their goals. Rory graduates at a ceremony in Wilson Hall at Melbourne University. Afterwards, there is a celebratory dinner at the Windsor Hotel. Rory and Danny make an announcement.