Victorian State Election – Why You Should Vote Below The Line; Sian Prior On When You’re Childless, But Not By Choice; Conserving Loong – The World’s Oldest Imperial Processional Dragon

Uncommon Sense

Dr Kevin Bonham, psephologist, polling analyst, and political commentator, drops by to discuss the Victorian state election polling figures thus far, the problem with Group Voting Tickets and preference harvesting, and why we should vote below the line in the Upper House. Writer, broadcaster, and musician, Sian Prior joins Amy to discuss her book, Childless, A Story of Freedom and Longing. It's about Sian's seven-year-long quest to become a mother, and how that failure affected every part of her emotional life. Sian explores how society could better support those who are childless not by choice, which has become an issue for a rising number of Australians. Dr Holly Jones-Amin, Senior Conservator at Grimwade Conservation Services, The University of Melbourne talks about the intricacies of the award-winning conservation project to conserving Loong 龍, the oldest intact imperial processional dragon in the world. Loong is a 40m-long, five-clawed imperial dragon owned by the Bendigo Chinese Association and on permanent display at the Golden Dragon Museum, Bendigo 金龍博物館. Holly also discusses Loong's cultural and historical significance to Chinese-Australians and the Bendigo community. Loong’s earliest recorded public appearance was the Bendigo Easter Procession of 1892. Historically he was also referred to by the Chinese community as Gum Loong 金龙 (Golden Dragon) and Moo Loong 舞龍 (Dancing Dragon).

Content Warning: Please note that the interview with Sian Prior talks about miscarriage, IVF treatments, and the struggle to become a mother and a parent. This may be distressing for some listeners.