Hidden in Plain Sight

In this episode we hear from Amanda again, this time speaking in detail about the impact of being her true self, and some of the ups and the downs of that journey. She also shares with us her experience of being involved in a unique collaboration, culminating in an event staged at MONA.

Amanda moved into the area just over five years ago, launching herself into the local community. Soon to become the editor of the Trentham Trumpet, including during the early days of Covid, hers is a name known to many. She shares with us the years of growing up, finding a way in the world, marrying and starting a family before becoming Amanda and eventually making her way to Trentham.

Christian shares with us his tales of coming out to his family and the rocky road to acceptance. After having worked overseas in kitchens around England and Europe, he moved to this area in 2003, working in the hospitality industry and eventually running his own businesses.

Yvonne Sillett may be a name you recognise. Discharged from the army in 1989 for being gay, Yvonne’s has told her story at the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and more recently as part of the Defending With Pride exhibition at the Shrine of Remembrance. In this podcast we hear from Yvonne about her life before her military career, but also about rebuilding her life, and her advocacy for others, after her discharge. Another podcast, highlighting her time in the military, the impact this had on her and leading to her subsequent involvement in the Royal Commission is Yvonne's Story.

In this episode of Hidden in Plain Sight, we hear from Sophie & Issy, more recent members of the Rainbow Family. As well as hearing about their story together, they reflect on the experience of schooling, the evolving education environment and finding their way down new career paths.

Bob has lived in Trentham for over 20 years, initially with his late partner Kirk, as they made a new life together. Bob talks of his family and career paths and of coming to the realisation he was gay in an unexpected setting.

Nat & Moz epitomise the philosophy behind Hidden in Plain Sight. Both valued and active members of the local community, family-orientated, involved in local clubs and volunteering and quietly going about their day to day lives. They just happen to also be members of the Rainbow Family.

Max is a well-known Daylesford local, active in the Chill Out festival and often out and about as his alter-ego 'Di-Alysis'. In part two, Max continues his story of more recent times, as well as exploring some of the challenges both he and the Rainbow community have faced over the decades.

Max is a well-known Daylesford local, active in the Chill Out festival, on the radio and often out and about as his alter-ego 'Di-Alysis'. In part one Max shares his story with us, from early days on the farm, through his years in Melbourne and some of the people he met and finally how he came to be living in Daylesford.

'Hidden in Plain Sight' is the creation of Mel Thomas and Rosie Hill. Join them in this introduction as they chat about the motivation behind this podcast series. Bringing you the stories of the Rainbow Community in the Hepburn area, each episode of 'Hidden In Plain Sight' will bring you a dash of humour, a dose of history and a generous dollop of memories & stories of survival from our past.