"I felt compelled to write to you after listening to the amazing Atherton Tablelands piece. I love it! Why do I love it? A few reasons.
it captures the essence of Landcare so well
the rich stories are told by community Landcarers and community leaders in their own actual voice
it doesn’t just state the benefits of Landcaring beyond the obvious, it proves them
the way you capture the Indigenous perspectives, benefits of getting involved for Indigenous people and the quality mutually beneficial interaction between the Indigenous community and other Landcarers
it covers pest management, revegetation, habitat preservation and enhancement, threatened species, wildlife rescue, community engagement, farmer perspectives, scientific research - a fantastic cross section of what Landcare is all about
it sounds amazing - love the bird calls and flapping wings in amongst the local voices
Gretchen, your poignant questions and crafty editing to bring it all together into a complete narrative with such diverse material
the way you’ve brought climate destruction to the conversation with science, community perspectives, on ground observations, calls to action and messages of hope
and of course bringing it all back to how this kind of work makes the Landcarer feel
“The audio is superb! And the structure really really great. You have done an most excellent thing - thank you from the bottom of my heart. It was very creative and sympathetic and quite beautiful, seriously good work :) And I think you are very gifted. In light of all the defunding going on it is an especially beautiful beacon in an Australia heading further toward cultural mediocrity.” - Art curator Cash Brown.
“I've really been enjoying the range of your work this year Gretchen. You have such a light touch with your narration, it sneaks into the story. I especially enjoyed the scope of the Lion King story, from the scale of the theatrical phenomenon to your brush strokes detailing the performer's lives. Thanks.” - Daniel Ferri, writer.
“You will see from Gretchen Miller’s c.v. that she has a vast range of qualifications and accomplishment. What is not so obvious in print is her extraordinary flair and creative imagination. This combines two qualities rare in broadcasters: she can command original techniques and experimentation and yet maintain clarity and emotional impact. The result is a feeling of BEING THERE, of vivid painting in sound. All her programs have that demotic quality and the result is program-making of level open to old and young, sophisticated listeners and casual folk who just tune in. Gretchen excels in the field and I commend Gretchen to you without reservation.” - Robyn Williams, presenter of ABC Science Show, Fellow of Australian Academy of Science), Visiting fellow, Balliol College, Oxford.
“I just wanted to congratulate you on a fabulous, sensitive, thought provoking, and ultimately warm documentary on Christchurch. I was there this time last year through my work in disaster management. One of the things I rail on about, is that the way recovery is often framed is a hollywoodised happily ever after scenario, and you never get to see how variable and tough it is for people in the long run. Your doco goes a long way in redressing that, capturing a range of perspectives, and importantly, from a ‘punter’s perspective’... which tends to be lost in all of this. The other thing I wanted to comment on is how important a medium radio is, and how important these lengthy documentaries are, that don't try to capture everything in slogans and soundbite. You should be proud of what you have produced.” - John Richardson, Emergency Services Coordinator, Australian Red Cross
“I truly appreciate this work that you did, and you have a natural way with artists, that your wide background has given you--and a empath's sensitivity.” - Diamanda Galas, singer.
“They got so much out of the session and you did a fabulous job answering their questions and engaging with them. For their part, they got an unparalleled demonstration of your talent, a keen sense of your professionalism and stuff that can't be taught in a classroom (except you would make a fantastic lecturer) - thank you!” - Maryanne Dever, Associate Professor in the School of Humanities & Social Science at the University of Newcastle.
“I heard your program last week (online) and thought it most beautiful, in tone and mood especially. You sounded the best I’ve heard – your voice situated exactly where it should be and in tune with the sentiments you were expressing. I want to listen again in the twilight hour rather than morning, paying more attention to Diamanda. All the music was wonderful and the guests were very good. Congratulations on conceiving, writing/composing and producing a lovely program!” - Robyn Ravlich, poet and radio maker.
“Gretchen - I listened to your feature this morning with a mixture of rage, sadness and pleasure. The reasons for the rage & despair are obvious enough - your subjects elaborated those reasons very eloquently. The pleasure comes from knowing you are still in there, doing good things. I am glad that your next one will look at reasons to be hopeful - if not exactly cheerful (as Ian Drury would have it). Nonetheless, you can be proud of that you do, and take heart that you have integrity and courage. Much like the climate scientists, you can only do what you do well, with honesty and care. And you have at last one listener who cares deeply about what you do. I know that I am not alone.” - ABC RN Arts Editor, Tony Macgregor
“I meant to say I think what you are doing acting in that job is so not easy but in my view you are doing a really terrific job Gretchen ... you are gracious, understanding and think positive.” - Tom Hall, Operations Manager ABC Radio.
“Thanks again for a lovely interview - I also wish we'd had some more time. You made it easy and made me feel very relaxed and special!” - Michael Askill
“Hail to Gretchen and her team of techies! Trust you are getting many plaudits. Add my name to the list. Beautifully done Ma'm! As the week draws on I'm struck by two things: Firstly, what a varied, sensitive and articulate lot we RN folk are. So many touching, awe-inspiring, amusing selections. I loved "we smoked our first cigarettes, measured our dicks..." - that's the whole male thing right there, really. Second, How much work you've had to put in, to create but an augenblick of airtime. An extreme distillation indeed. I guess we go into the crypt soon, to await a possible brief exhumation years hence. Am proud to have played a bit-part in so worthwhile a thing. Go well.” - Smithy (Trees Project contributor)
“You did such a great job of moderating the site and there were so many wonderful stories of people’s attachment to trees they loved. It gave me such hope that so many people had heartfelt emotions to trees that while I was alone sitting in a tree in a forest for 5 days, I wasn’t alone in protecting the preciousness of trees to people’s hearts, all around the Australian environment. The Trees I’ve Loved project opened the door and gave me the opportunity to tell people what it’s like to put your own safety at risk to save a tree and how much can be learned if we open our minds and hearts to diversity, not just from nature but from all different kinds of people and their perspectives.” - Robyn Lucienne, Trees project contributor.
“Thanks Gretchen, It looks great. Recording was an experience as well, learning about rising intonations. Don’t know what I would have done without your personal voice coaching.” - Graeme, Trees project contributor.
"These two brief podcasts are perhaps the most powerful and thought-provoking pieces of work I have ever read, heard or seen regarding climate change. Congratulations on the outstanding journalism. It is more difficult for me to continue looking in the other direction and pretending it's not real." - Damo, ABC RN listener (Climate of emotion: hope)
"This is a substantial work. It’s engrossing.It covers so much material. Such intriguing, imaginative and adventurous sound and media references, and a constant shifting of moods." - Nigel Kellaway, theatre practitioner (Ariadne Project)