Phil Brandel

Dec 20, 2024 | abc.net.au | Phil Brandel

If you grew up in the 1970s or 1980s, you probably owned at least one (if not many) K-Tel records. K-Tel were synonymous with compilations, releasing albums that contained everything from polka hits to country music, classical music and everything in between. Before 1981, K-Tel made more than $150 million in record sales in 34 countries, selling more units than some of the major record companies.

Jul 13, 2024 | abc.net.au | Phil Brandel

For Russell Duncan, owner of That Christmas Shop, every day really is like Christmas. Mr Duncan opened his store four years ago and has been in the industry for more than three decades. "I went to America and discovered Christmas shops back in the 1980s and they didn't really exist in Australia at that time," he said. "So I got involved with the industry over there and I've been in it ever since.

Jun 15, 2024 | abc.net.au | Phil Brandel

There are probably a few things that come to mind when reminiscing about long road trips across Australia between the 1950s and '70s. Things like overheating cars, AM radio and the unmistakable icon of the Golden Fleece. Before the days of the giant fast-food outlets, Golden Fleece restaurants were a much-looked for sign on the horizon when driving long distances. At its peak, Golden Fleece had hundreds of roadhouses and restaurants and thousands of distributors of its fuel and chemical products.

Mar 8, 2024 | abc.net.au | Phil Brandel

On any given weekend, Jason Whatley can be found digging in the soil and rocks at his gold mine between Mareeba and Cairns. Fighting the far north Queensland humidity and heat, lurking snakes and the near-impenetrable dirt, Mr Whatley and a small group of other "mum and dad" miners enjoy looking for gold and gemstones as a hobby and a way of socialising. "It's also about our families. I've a got a young son and it's a great way of getting him off his screen," he said.

Jan 8, 2024 | abc.net.au | Phil Brandel

On the corner of a leafy suburban Cairns street sits an old, white building that looks just like any other community hall. But the two stone pillars at its entrance give away its identity as a masonic building in the suburb of Freshwater where several of the society's local groups, known as lodges, meet.