Gilly Flower

Usually it's me asking the questions in interviews, but on Thursday I will be the interviewee for Melbourne radio station 3RTT's environmental Green Room programme.

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I knew it was on the cards that I might be contacted, and sooner rather than later after Lucy emailed to say the producers had spoken to her last week, but the reality is still a bit nerve-racking. I've only been interviewed for radio once before, and that was several years ago, in my flower shop days. The interviewer was also a friend, which made a big difference. But it was a 'live' interview, and J chucked a few curly questions at me as I remember, that I wasn't expecting. Then again she also cut to music tracks quite often to give me regular breaks.

This interview won't be 'live', will undoubtedly be edited, and will be aired at a time, and on a radio station, that almost certainly won't be accessible from Tassie. Or not where we live anyway. It's difficult enough tuning into ABC NT.

It was at RB's suggestion the station contact me (and Lucy). He's been interviewed twice as a result of his pulp mill photographic project involving a collection of portraits of people opposed to the mill. [See earlier blog entry] R is also currently putting the finishing touches to a website that displays all the photos he's taken, with background info about Gunns, Forestry, the mill and what its impact will be should it go ahead. Although it's not quite ready to launch yet I've had a peek & found it both powerful and emotional.

The two radio presenters on this show are keen to promote the mill story, and talk to those who stand to be adversely affected. Not necessarily the high profile bods in the campaign, but the ordinary folk, some of whom have taken extraordinary action in their efforts to prevent this monstrous mill being built - quite literally - in their backyard.

As well as an informal chat about how the mill has come to dominate my life, and why, I will be reading a couple of my pulp mill poems. At least that was the suggestion. Another suggestion - yet to be discussed further and confirmed - was for me to tape record some other short interviews, with other people opposed to the mill, for the show to use in future programmes.

With this show likely to soon be streamed nationally, the presenters want to take its focus beyond Victoria, so with the support of contacts around the country they want to include stories and interviews of people involved in environmental initiatives from every state and territory. After learning I write professionally, own the necessary tape recorder, and am used to conducting interviews, I've a strong suspicion they might be planning to recruit me.

No doubt I'll find out for sure on Thursday. Which gives me about 24 hours to prepare some answers to likely questions, and practice reading a few poems out loud.