Made In Lithgow

For our milestone 50th episode, we sit down with former Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Member for Bathurst, Paul Toole MP, for a deep dive into one of the biggest issues facing Lithgow and the Central West.As Mt Victoria Pass reaches 100 days of closure, frustration continues to grow across the region. Businesses are reporting significant losses, tourism operators are feeling the impact, freight costs have increased, and families are dealing with longer travel times and uncertainty about the future.In this episode, Paul discusses:• What caused the closure of Mt Victoria Pass• Why repairs are taking so long• The economic impact on Lithgow, Bathurst, Oberon and the wider Central West• The proposed 11km tunnel through the Blue Mountains• The funding commitments that were previously on the table• Whether regional NSW is receiving the attention it deserves• The future of Wolgan Gap Road, Browns Gap Road and Janolan Caves• Opportunities for Lithgow beyond coal• Data centres, infrastructure, tourism and investment• What success for Lithgow could look like in 2035We also explore Paul's journey from teacher, councillor and Mayor of Bathurst to Deputy Premier of New South Wales, and his vision for the future of regional communities.Whether you're a business owner, resident, commuter or simply passionate about the future of regional NSW, this episode provides valuable insight into one of the most significant challenges currently facing our region.Made in Lithgow is a long-form podcast focused on the people, businesses, history and future of Lithgow and the Central West.Keywords: Mt Victoria Pass, Lithgow, Bathurst, Paul Toole, Central West NSW, Blue Mountains, Great Western Highway, Regional NSW, Infrastructure, Tourism, Small Business, Janolan Caves, Wolgan Valley, Data Centres, Economic Development, Made in Lithgow Podcast.

In this episode of Made in Lithgow, Brad Cluff and Ian Iddles sit down with Dr Foty Loupos, Principal of Lithgow High School.Dr Loupos has one of the most unique journeys into education leadership you’ll hear. His career has spanned hospitality management, security and investigations, counselling, teaching, and academia — culminating in a PhD exploring the metaphysics of leadership.In this wide-ranging conversation, Foty shares his philosophy on education, why inspiring curiosity in students is more powerful than simply teaching curriculum, and how schools must prepare young people for a rapidly changing world shaped by artificial intelligence, automation, and new industries.The discussion also explores the future of Lithgow itself — from the transition away from coal to emerging opportunities in technology, logistics, and innovation — and why communities like Lithgow may be uniquely positioned to thrive in the decades ahead.Foty speaks passionately about the importance of aspiration, critical thinking, and empowering students to pursue their dreams, while reminding us that investing in education is ultimately investing in the future of society.This is a fascinating conversation about leadership, philosophy, education, and the potential of regional communities.

In this episode of Made in Lithgow, Brad Cluff and Ian Iddles sit down with Chris Wade, Manager of PCYC Lithgow and the 2024 PCYC NSW Manager of the Year.Chris shares his journey from retail and hardware into youth development, and how PCYC Lithgow has become a hub of opportunity, belonging and leadership for young people across the region. From gymnastics and futsal to archery, school holiday programs and the new Fit for Work initiative, Chris and his team are creating pathways for Lithgow’s next generation.We also discuss:The growth of youth sport participation in LithgowThe importance of accessible activities for familiesFundraising success stories (including the new gymnastics air-conditioning!)The community response during Lithgow’s recent water crisisBuilding employment pathways for 16–18 year oldsHow local businesses can support youth developmentChris was recently recognised in the Central West Australia Day Honours as Lithgow’s Citizen of the Year — a reflection of the impact he and the PCYC team are making behind the scenes.If you care about Lithgow’s future, youth opportunity, regional resilience, and practical community leadership, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.🎧 Listen now and support the organisations building our town from the ground up.

This final episode of Made in Lithgow for 2025 is a reflection on what happens when you slow down and actually listen.Recorded just days before Christmas, Brad and Ian look back on a year of conversations that revealed consistent themes across Lithgow and the wider region — resilience without noise, belonging over ambition, service over ego, and a town quietly navigating change without rejecting its past.From packed community events and grassroots volunteering to honest conversations about energy transition, cost of living, hospitality, health, and local leadership, this episode ties together what the podcast has uncovered: Lithgow isn’t stuck — it’s choosing its future.This is a thank-you to the guests, listeners, and community members who showed up, shared their stories, and reminded us why long-form conversation still matters.A grounded, honest end-of-year episode about people, place, and progress — and why this podcast exists in the first place.

Born in a small Canadian town and now a very well-respected community figure, Jane Fenton has lived a story that feels like a movie — filled with love, resilience, and a deep sense of belonging.In this heartfelt episode of Made in Lithgow, Jane shares her incredible journey from Toronto to Wallerawang, how she met her husband Paul on the Great Ocean Road, and the life-changing moment she donated a kidney to save him.We talk about the power of volunteering, her leadership at the Lithgow Hospital Coffee Shop, and why she believes community spirit is the real currency of regional Australia.From raising a family to helping others, Jane reminds us what makes Lithgow truly special — its people, its heart, and its ability to rally when it matters mostTune in for an episode that celebrates love, courage, and the quiet strength that defines country towns.

In this episode of Made in Lithgow, Brad and Ledge slow things right down — sort of.They’re joined by Shell from Wollemi Wellbeing, a Lithgow local who grew up running barefoot through State Mine Gully, trained in yoga and meditation in Rishikesh, India, and came home to help her community find balance in a noisy world.What follows is classic Made in Lithgow:A mix of heartfelt storytelling, hilarious tangents, and unexpectedly deep moments — including a guided meditation that nearly put Brad into orbit and Ledge into a nap.There’s talk of water shortages, 40 Bands, The Nightspot, Blue Lotus tea, teenage dopamine hits, and what it really means to live well in Lithgow.It’s funny, grounding, and just what you didn’t know you needed.

In this episode of Made in Lithgow, we chat with Tallan Egan — son of proud Lithgow locals Kyle and Jo Egan — about his incredible journey from the Lithgow Storm and Workies fields to the Western Rams, into the One NZ Warriors development system, and now his signing with the Newcastle Knights Jersey Flegg squad.- Tallan shares the reality of chasing the NRL dream:- Long training days and intense game-style sessions`- Nutrition, bulking up and recovery science- The emotional challenge of leaving home at 18- His inspirations — from family to local coaches and mates- Why nothing beats coming back to Lithgow for a Workies schnittyThis is a must-listen for junior players, parents, coaches, and anyone proud of our local sporting talent. Tallan shows that Lithgow grit belongs on the big stage.

From Lithgow to the world stage: journalist and podcaster Lisa Mclean has covered everything from Prince Andrew and Epstein to Vanderpump scandals — but nothing has captivated the nation like the Mushroom Murder Trial.Lisa sat inside the courtroom, tracked Erin Patterson’s lies, and brings us first-hand insight into one of Australia’s most shocking crimes — a Sunday lunch that ended in tragedy, three deaths, and headlines across the globe.In this exclusive chat, we cover:✅ Lisa’s strange online link to Erin years before the murders✅ The chilling details of the fatal Beef Wellington lunch✅ Why this case gripped Australia (and the world) like no other✅ The ripple effect on families, victims, and even the mushroom industry✅ Lisa’s Lithgow roots, journalism journey, and her upcoming documentary, Death CapIt’s raw, gripping, and one you won’t hear anywhere else.

In this episode of Made in Lithgow, Ian and Brad sit down with Brad’s parents, Robert and Linda Cluff—the visionary couple behind a hospitality powerhouse that started as Black Gold Cabins, evolved into Black Gold Motel, and is now simply known as Black Gold.What they’ve built isn’t just a business. It’s a beacon of possibility—rising from the bones of the decommissioned Wallerawang Public School, where Robert once cried walking through the gates as a child, and where four generations of Cluffs studied, including Brad, Katrina, Derryn, and Robert’s grandmother.Today, that same site is home to:🏨 71 rooms across villas, cabins, suites, and motel-style accommodation🍽️ Tripadvisor’s #1-rated restaurant and accommodation in the Central West & Blue Mountains🏛️ The Barton Centre – a modern training and conference venue used by agencies across NSW🏆 Business NSW’s Best Large Business in the State🌍 Tripadvisor’s Top 1% of Hotels Worldwide – #21 in Australia (2025)👥 A team of 45 staff, welcoming 60,000+ guests each yearRobert, a fitter and former coal mine deputy, brought the shovel and the daring.Linda, a former Police Assistance Line worker and office administrator, brought the structure and systems to grow it.Together, they proved what’s possible with vision, sacrifice, and relentless teamwork.Now joined by Brad and his wife Emily, Black Gold continues to thrive as a cornerstone of regional tourism and transformation—right across from a concrete dispatch plant, a rock-crushing yard, and an old power station. Proof that beauty and brilliance can come from anywhere.At the heart of it all is Robert’s favourite saying:👉 Never say can’t.This is a story of family. Of grit. Of building something bigger than yourself.And of what it takes to turn the unused old… into gold.

What happens when a retail veteran and her ambitious daughter trade the chaos of Sydney for the charm of Lithgow? In this episode, we sit down with Lara and Paris Hall, the powerhouse pair behind TWIG boutique and a rising real estate career. From Ironfest epiphanies to raising kids and reshaping Main Street, their journey is a heartfelt tale of risk, resilience, and regional opportunity. We dive into the struggles of small-town retail, the housing market squeeze, and how community, creativity, and connection are carving a new future for Lithgow.

In Episode 30 of Made in Lithgow, Brad and Legend go guest-free to reflect on the stories shaping their hometown. This candid conversation covers everything from a huge maintenance shutdown at Mt Piper. Black Gold’s rise to the global top 1% on TripAdvisor, broken lookouts, blocked roads, and tourism potential bursting at the seams. They spotlight local legends making waves in sport, share the behind-the-scenes fight to save the Small Arms Factory Museum, and issue a challenge to get the basics right. Whether you're here for grassroots grit or big-picture hope, this episode is a celebration of community, progress, and pride.

From the basketball courts of Lithgow to the Australian Army and into boardrooms across the nation, Scott Simcoe has spent a lifetime mastering structure, leadership, and clear communication. In this episode of Made in Lithgow, we uncover the story behind Message Train — the regional business delivering custom, large-scale, immersive digital training to some of Australia’s biggest companies and government agencies.Shaped by his time in the Army and grounded in the values of sport, community, and family, Scott — alongside co-founder Sharon Simcoe — built a tech-enabled learning company that simplifies complexity and turns critical knowledge into action. Whether it’s health and safety, leadership, or change management, Message Train designs training that sticks.In this episode:How a workplace accident became the catalyst for a national learning platformThe Army’s influence on communication, systems, and leadershipHow Lithgow Basketball and community values shaped Scott’s business DNAWhat makes great training fail — and how Message Train solves itBuilding a scalable, and immersive training solutions business from regional NSWPerfect for listeners searching for:Scalable corporate training & eLearning strategiesBehavioural science in workplace learningDigital innovation in safety, leadership & communicationRegional entrepreneurship with national impactFamily-led business success stories from LithgowNow streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.#MadeInLithgow #ScottSimcoe #MessageTrain #CorporateTraining #DigitalLearning #ArmyToEntrepreneur #LeadershipCulture #LithgowBusiness #CustomTrainingAustralia