Welcome to Take Me Somewhere - a series of conversations with some incredible and inspiring people from regional cities and tiny towns across Australia.

I’m Kimberley Furness, your host and the founder and editor of OAK Magazine. The seed for Take Me Somewhere was planted when speaking with guests on our podcast A Friend of Mine.

Claire from of Rupanyup Living in Victoria and Bec from Fig&Co in Gundagai, NSW both spoke about the importance of travellers stopping in their tiny towns. Bec also mentioned a lock of media coverage for those off the freeway.

As a publisher of a print magazine I wanted to help and so began the journey of Take Me Somewhere. It started as a print magazine released in early 2022, a curation of regional and rural destinations told through beautifully written words and stunningly captured images.We also have a couple of special travel episodes published on A Friend of Mine podcast.

Yes, you can successfully launch a podcast without leaving the comfort of your home but I know how important in person opportunities are for those living outside metro areas - it helps reduce the feeling of isolation. This person-to-person contact is storytelling in its most powerful and ancient form.

With this in mind, and a few other little puzzle pieces, I purchased a van - a Renault Trafic Short Wheel Base to be specific - with the idea of traveling to regional cities and tiny towns and setting up at events and field days.

I ask my guests to Take Me Somewhere, a place they love or have a deep connection to whilst weaving in their story of who they are, what drives them, how they overcome hurdles and setbacks, where they see themselves or their industry in five years time.

For the most part, you’ll find me exploring our backyard in my mobile podcast van to meet and talk with the people who make up the fabric of our nation, and really immerse myself in their town or soak up the energy of a live event.

At times you will hear the sounds of our surroundings whether its nature, machinery or a PA system. I feel like these sounds will help build on the story and make you feel like you’re sitting in the van with us.

Ultimately, I hope these stories encourage you to take your time driving from point A to B, and stop at the little towns in between, or add an event, conference or expo to your calendar.

There are so many treasures to find, people to meet, and history to discover in regional and rural Australia.

Travel safe and stop often.

This episode was hosted by Kimberley Furness, founder + editor of OAK Magazine. OAK Magazine is a proudly independent print publication dedicated to sharing stories and amplifying voices of female entrepreneurs and women in business in regional and rural Australia. Founded in Bendigo, this quarterly publication is filled with expertise, insights and small business guidance from driven, inspiring and successful local women.

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For more inspiring stories, visit OAK Magazine website. Hosted by Kimberley Furness, Founder + Editor, OAK Magazine.