The Conversation Hour

If you live in the suburbs do you have a fire plan? If you live in a housing estate and a grass fire broke out and you needed to leave how bad do you think the traffic would be? In this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss fire preparedness on the urban fringe.Also in this edition, as Neighbourhood Houses Victoria fights for funding we look at the important role they play in the community plus, it was two decades ago this week that the Chaser's War on Everything hit our TV screens, we talk to one of the co-founders about why the show made such an impact.

The Electrical Trades Union recently launched a campaign called Nowhere To Go, designed to draw attention to the lack access to toilets for women working in trade. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss just how widespread the issue of proper access to toilets are in the workplace across a range of industries.Also in this edition, why we need to celebrate the spirit of spontaneity when we travel plus we take you to evokeAG to hear about the emerging industries in agriculture.

Parks Victoria has recently spruiked for applications for park rangers, advertising 62 new roles across the state. It was only a couple of weeks ago that we where talking about the vital role they play in safe guarding precious environmental sites. In this edition of the Conversation Hour we ask if and additional 62 is really enough and what level of experience is needed to become a park ranger.Also in this edition, we talk what role public art should play in the community plus, the psychology of supermarket specials.

It's World Radio Day and in this edition of The Conversation Hour we celebrate you — the talkback caller and take your calls on the talkback that has moved and inspired you over the years.But first, the complex question of where parking meters should and shouldn't be located plus, the rise of 'quiet tech' in sports wear.

In this edition of The Conversation Hour hiker Sarah Gibbs shares her harrowing account of being assaulted by a man while hiking the Goldfields Track and her concerns about the lack of police response in the aftermath. We also speak with Respect Victoria changing community attitudes towards gendered violence and improving the justice system response.Also in this edition, the call to save Sir Roy Grounds' John Medley Building at Melbourne University, the return of Meanjin, the health impacts of household mould and Melbourne's Cherry Bar gets a visit from Chappell Roan.

High-rise apartments could be built at a so called "activity centre" in the south-east suburbs, that's according to draft plans released by the State government. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we explore what activity centres actually are and whether high-density has become a dirty word. Also in this edition, the significant role the game Dungeons and Dragons' is playing in Victoria's autism community, plus some good news for fans of Guns N Roses.

A Victorian man was left injured after he was attacked by a Kangaroo, while trying to protect his pet dog. In this edition of the Conversation Hour we discuss how to stay safe around the species.Also in this edition, the hype around Wuthering Heights, antiques in an age of fast furniture and the art of voice coaching.

Recent data indicates that food studies is becoming increasing in popular with secondary school students, and has come along way since the days of home economics. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss why more students are studying it and meet a teacher who is brining the subject to life in Ringwood.Also in this edition, should you be able to take paid leave to look after or grieve your pet, plus why the Olympic Winter Games appeal so much to younger audiences.

With reports of declining vegan food options in supermarkets and on restaurant menus - in this edition of The Conversation Hour we explore whether people are turning away from vegan diets and discuss what undercurrents might be at play. Also in this edition, is tourism wrecking our national parks, plus do you clean your kids room?

As Tasmania trials a UK based model whereby schools share resources, staff and knowledge to improve student results, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at how the program works and whether we should be looking at employing a similar model here in Victoria.Also in this edition, do hidden car door handles pose a safety risk, plus are people still buying sewing patterns?