Chats with Pat

14/08/2026

Fred talks about his uncle, who served in New Guinea and was involved in the incredible effort of dragging six-pounder guns over the Kokoda Track, a job that gives you some idea of the conditions our service members faced.

For many Australians, the connection to the Anzac story is personal: a father, grandfather, uncle, brother or other relative served during the war. While we may not have experienced the conflict ourselves, those family stories have been passed down through generations and helped shape our own connection to the Anzac spirit.

That’s why recording these stories matters.

Let Chats with Pat help you preserve the stories, memories, and voices of your family before they’re lost.

Everyone has a story worth remembering. Take the time to record it.

07/08/2026

When spare parts weren’t ordered… they were made.

Barry looks back humbly on his days as a turner at Kandos Cement Works, where if a part was needed to keep the plant running, you made it.

Barry learnt his your trade from the ground up and was proud of it, developing skills that stayed with you for life. Another great yarn from Chats with Pat, preserving the stories and skills of a generation.

05/08/2026

Who remembers getting their very first bike?

Vic does.

After saving enough money from selling rabbit skins, Vic finally bought his first bicycle. It's the simple memories like these that tell the story of a generation. Whats are your family's stories? Chats with Pat, recording life stories.

04/08/2026

Some of the happiest memories don't involve expensive holidays or fancy entertainment, hey're the simple moments that stay with us for a lifetime.

In this short clip, Mavis takes us back to her younger days when a night out meant riding her horse to the blacksmith's yard, meeting up with friends, and walking a mile and a half to the local dance.

Before heading off to the dances, she learned the steps the old by practising around the neighbours' kitchen table. It's a beautiful reminder of a time when community, friendship and making your own fun were simply part of everyday life.

Thank you, Mavis, for sharing another wonderful piece of Australia's living history.

What are your memories of local dances or learning to dance?

31/07/2026

Some memories stay with you for a lifetime.

As a young girl growing up in the UK, Penny was a proud member of the Sea Rangers. One of the highlights of her time was attending a Sea Rangers camp where she meet Prince Philip.

It's a lovely reminder that history isn't just found in books, it's found in the stories of people who lived through extraordinary times.

Take a minute to hear Penny share this special memory. These are the moments worth preserving, one story at a time.

Every life has a story. Every story deserves to be remembered.

29/07/2026

29/07/2026

Another fantastic location to record a chat this morning. Chats with Pat, recording life stories.

28/07/2026

There's something about a winter sunrise at Nobby's Beach. This morning, as I walked along the sand watching the sun rise, I found myself thinking about the kids that grew up as dairy farmers I've had the privilege of chatting with recently. Although the sand was a little cool beneath my feet, I couldn't help but think of them.

Long before sunrise, they were already out in the freezing cold, sometimes with no shoes, standing in fresh cow pats to warm their feet while bringing the cows in for milking. It's one of those memories that might sound unbelievable today, but for them, it was simply part of everyday life.

Every person I sit down with reminds me that behind every life is a story worth hearing. Often, it's the simple memories that become the most powerful ones.

That's what Chats with Pat is all about, capturing the moments that might otherwise be forgotten, so they can be remembered and shared for generations to come.

Who in your family has stories like these waiting to be told?

27/07/2026

Not only do I get to chat with remarkable people, I get to some fantastic locations. Chats with Pat, recording life stories.

22/07/2026

In this short clip, John remembers the days of blackout curtains covering every window at night and the rationing that meant families couldn't always buy what they needed. Neighbours helped neighbours, swapping ration coupons and sharing what they had so everyone could get by.