A cup of tea with Stephen D.

Episode 9: A cup of tea with Stephen D. Episode 9

In this episode, the final episode of this series, I am continuing my conversation with my father John Dirou, and I will be asking him the questions whilst he is pouring the tea. John will share with us his memories of being out of a job and then subsequently starting in a new role as a district horticulturist after his General Manager position at the Tropical Fruit Research Station was made redundant. He will also recall the purchase of his very first home and share with us the brutal truth, that he was a much more patient grandfather than he was a father!

Episode 8: A cup of tea with Stephen D. Episode 8

In this double episode, I am concluding my conversation with my mother Sophie, who will be reflecting on 50 years of marriage whilst I am pouring the tea. Sophie will also tell us her memories of moving the family from the Riverina to the Northern Rivers of New South Wales and the loneliness in those initial first weeks and months having settled in Alstonville. In the second half of this podcast, and back my popular demand, we hear the story of Maryanne Harmer who I have now found out possesses a real talent for poetry. Maryanne will share with us her memoirs as I pour the earl grey.

Episode 7: A cup of tea with Stephen D. Episode 7

In this episode, I am continuing my conversation with my father John Dirou, and I will be asking him the questions whilst he is pouring the tea. John will reminisce the 9 years he lived in Narrandera as Station Manager of the Inland Fisheries Research Station where he was successful in sourcing $750,000 in funding to build the John Lake Centre as a showcase for freshwater fish. Narrandera was also the start of his career as a Group 20 rugby league referee where he was appointed Grand Finals in both his first and second years. Also in this episode I am joined by a very special guest who will read for us a very special feature on John’s mother Rachel.

Episode 6: A cup of tea with Stephen D. Episode 6

In this episode, I am continuing my conversation with my mother Sophie, and I will be asking her the questions whilst she is pouring the tea. You will hear Sophie describe giving birth in the 70’s when fathers weren’t allowed in the delivery suite of hospitals. She will also describe the fear she felt when advised her second born would be a breach birth. Sophie will share with us what it means to her to be a mother and grandmother. And she will remember how several near-death experiences have meant that she does not enjoy camping holidays.

Episode 5: A cup of tea with Stephen D. Episode 5

I am continuing my conversation with my father John Dirou, and I will be asking him the questions whilst he is pouring the tea. You will hear John describe the night he attended a Saturday night dance at St Pats in Bathurst where a young lady named Sophia van de Vorstenbosch caught his eye during the winter of 1969. John will share memories with us of this engagement and wedding day and you’ll also hear in this episode a very special feature on John’s father Frederick.