Teller of Yarns

All Yarns
Boxing
Rugby League
World War 2
Professional Career
Music
History
Wellbeing

May 8
14 min

Lois Gibson: The art of solving crimes (Strong themes)

Forensic Artist Lois Gibson specializes in pulling images out of someone’s subconscious memory, so that a drawing can help solve crimes.

James Parker

Apr 27
7 min

Tony Chandler: Sharks have heart

Rural Queensland policeman, Tony Chandler, sees life differently since an on-the-job seizure, friends, and the Men of League Foundation.

Lucky Starr: "I've travelled ev'ry road in this here land."

James Parker

Mar 4
9 min

Lucky Starr: "I've travelled ev'ry road in this here land."

Lucky Starr, 1960s Rock 'n' Roll singer and entertainer. From his #1 song, 'I've been everywhere' to the Vietnam War. These are his yarns.

James Parker

Dec 17, 2020
6 min

Brian Friend: A friend in 'deed'

Once retired, you would rarely see someone putting on their footy gear, and travelling to play Rugby League. Brian has other ideas.

James Parker

Dec 17, 2020
8 min

Warren Thompson: 'Mates helping mates'

At the end of the day, it is all about mateship, “All you have to do is listen". Yarns on footy, mateship, and wellbeing.

Scott Bird: "Everything’s costed, not valued"

James Parker

Dec 16, 2020
6 min

Scott Bird: "Everything’s costed, not valued"

Scott Bird is a songwriter, producer, musician, and advocate for protecting Tasmania's wild places.

Prof. Martin Bommas: Deciphering forgotten Papyri

James Parker

Nov 27, 2020
5 min

Prof. Martin Bommas: Deciphering forgotten Papyri

In his left hand, he held an exercise booklet, one that he had purchased in the local store, designed for school students. In his right...

The Bear and the Tiger: "A phone call and it means the world."

James Parker

Oct 23, 2020
5 min

The Bear and the Tiger: "A phone call and it means the world."

Jim Schroder and Garry Jack reconnect and reflect on their careers and their uncanny similarities, over a good yarn and a laugh.

Charlie 'Chick' Allan: "Another war, Another era"

James Parker

Jul 3, 2020
10 min

Charlie 'Chick' Allan: "Another war, Another era"

It was as if Charlie Allan and Russell Crowe had been at war for centuries. Yet from 180AD to 1099AD, a mighty friendship had been forming.

Russell Fuller: "Meet the 16th, the Gallant 16th"

James Parker

Jun 29, 2020
7 min

Russell Fuller: "Meet the 16th, the Gallant 16th"

Soldiers sat distracted by sound and screen, yet unbeknownst to them on a hill nearby, 18-year-old Russell Fuller was spinning yarns.

William Edwin Pidgeon: Sketching Battles of WWII

James Parker

Apr 25, 2020
9 min

William Edwin Pidgeon: Sketching Battles of WWII

He was commissioned to sketch the battlers of WWII, yet three of his rough sketches held a bigger story.

Des White: 'Grenades, a Coconut and Footy' in WWII

James Parker

Apr 12, 2020
12 min

Des White: 'Grenades, a Coconut and Footy' in WWII

From coal mining town to Papua New Guinea. 18 year old Des was conscripted into WWII.

James Parker

Mar 29, 2020
5 min

The $200 1969 Grand Final Bet

Two childhood friends, now competing in rival teams, make a $200 challenge with their eyes set towards the Rugby League Grand Final.

Herb Narvo: Heavyweight Title in 25 seconds

James Parker

Mar 27, 2020
6 min

Herb Narvo: Heavyweight Title in 25 seconds

"Herb Narvo's size and stature, paired with his 'great endurance' and unequivocal strength, made him one of Australia's finest sportsman."

James Parker

Mar 13, 2020
9 min

Reg Fridd: Becoming 'Reggie' Rabbit

"He always had an extrovert personality, bigger than life sort of thing. And he always loved to entertain. He was Reggie Rabbit."

Brian Walker vs Lummy: The 30 minute career decider

James Parker

Mar 1, 2020
4 min

Brian Walker vs Lummy: The 30 minute career decider

It was friend against friend, player against player, Brian Walker against Kevin Longbottom, and only 30 minutes to impress the Rabbitohs.

Joan Pelling: 'World War II on my doorstep'

James Parker

Feb 25, 2020
5 min

Joan Pelling: 'World War II on my doorstep'

Finding joy during a terrible time in modern History. These are stories about navigativing through World War 2 between the ages of 7 and 11.

Joan Hallworth: The 'craftiest' of nanas.

James Parker

Feb 23, 2020
5 min

Joan Hallworth: The 'craftiest' of nanas.

From making sails for the 1983 America's Cup yacht, to high end suits, secret family recipes and more. These are Joan Hallworth's stories.

Joan Parker: How to have fun in 1940's England

James Parker

Feb 20, 2020
4 min

Joan Parker: How to have fun in 1940's England

If your garden property didn’t have the range of food required to satisfy you, I guess you could always secretly scour the neighbour’s...

Sid Godfrey: 1920’s Australian Boxing Champion

James Parker

Feb 18, 2020
4 min

Sid Godfrey: 1920’s Australian Boxing Champion

These are the stories of the 1920's Australian boxer, Sid Godfrey. Local hero, family hero and Australian boxing royalty - the K.O. King.

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Lois Gibson: The art of solving crimes (Strong themes)

Tony Chandler: Sharks have heart

Lucky Starr: "I've travelled ev'ry road in this here land."

Brian Friend: A friend in 'deed'

Warren Thompson: 'Mates helping mates'

Scott Bird: "Everything’s costed, not valued"

Prof. Martin Bommas: Deciphering forgotten Papyri

The Bear and the Tiger: "A phone call and it means the world."

Charlie 'Chick' Allan: "Another war, Another era"

Russell Fuller: "Meet the 16th, the Gallant 16th"

William Edwin Pidgeon: Sketching Battles of WWII

Des White: 'Grenades, a Coconut and Footy' in WWII

The $200 1969 Grand Final Bet

Herb Narvo: Heavyweight Title in 25 seconds

Reg Fridd: Becoming 'Reggie' Rabbit

Brian Walker vs Lummy: The 30 minute career decider

Joan Pelling: 'World War II on my doorstep'

Joan Hallworth: The 'craftiest' of nanas.

Joan Parker: How to have fun in 1940's England

Sid Godfrey: 1920’s Australian Boxing Champion

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.

- Maya Angelou