Made In Lithgow

Made in Lithgow is where the stories of Lithgow come to life. Hosted by Ian "Legend" Iddles and Brad Cluff, we sit down with the people who make this community what it is—locals, legends, leaders, and everyday Australians with extraordinary stories.Honest, unfiltered and proudly regional, these conversations preserve the history, celebrate the characters and explore the future of one of Australia's most resilient towns.

Made In Lithgow is a society podcast hosted by Ian Iddles and Brad Cluff, with 51 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Ian Iddles and Brad Cluff hosts Made In Lithgow, a society show with 51 episodes published.

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  Episode #52

  #52: The Future of Lithgow is Sitting in this Room

  Oct 2, 202657 minS1

  What does the next generation really think about Lithgow? In this episode of Made in Lithgow, Brad Cluff and Ian “Legend” Iddles hand the microphones to three of Lithgow High School’s incoming school captains — Michael, Mantra and Alex, for an honest conversation about growing up in regional NSW and what the future looks like through their eyes. We talk about life at Lithgow High School, leadership, sport, dance, engineering, technology, 3D printing, artificial intelligence, social media, mental health, education and the pressure young people face when deciding what comes after Year 12. But the bigger question is about Lithgow itself. Do young people believe there are enough opportunities here? Do they need to leave Lithgow to succeed? What would bring them back? And what could Lithgow become if emerging industries, technology and new career opportunities continue to grow across the region? We also hear about some of the changes happening at Lithgow High — from new technology and creative facilities to longer class periods, the Elite Lithgow Athletes Program and opportunities that are giving regional students experiences well beyond the classroom. And, in a Made in Lithgow first, the guests turn the tables and interview Brad and Legend about life after school, changing careers, failure and the advice they'd give their younger selves. It's funny, thoughtful and refreshingly honest. Instead of adults telling us what young people think about Lithgow, this time we asked them. And if these three are anything to go by, Lithgow's future has plenty going for it.

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  Made In Lithgow

  #51: "Do You Know Top Dawg?" | The Real Ean Griffiths

  Jun 25, 202640 min

  If you've spent any time in Lithgow over the past 20 years—or anywhere on the internet—you've probably heard the name Top Dawg. But who is the man behind the music? In this episode of Made in Lithgow, Brad Cluff and Ian "Legend" Iddles sit down with lifelong mate Ean "Top Dawg" Griffiths for one of the most honest and heartfelt conversations we've had. From growing up in Portland and attending Wallerawang Public School, to finding music as an escape from bullying, Ean shares the story behind the viral videos, the millions of online views, meeting Australian rap artists, building an enormous social media following, and becoming one of Lithgow's most recognisable personalities. We also talk about Williams Syndrome, family, resilience, the power of music, internet fame, dealing with online trolls, and why Lithgow will always be home. This isn't an interview about social media. It's a conversation about friendship, community, perseverance and the real person behind one of Australia's most recognisable internet personalities. In this episode: Growing up in Portland & Lithgow Wallerawang Public School memories Finding music through difficult times Going viral on Facebook & YouTube Meeting Australian rap artists Life with Williams syndrome Dealing with online bullying Why family means everything The future of Top Dawg If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with someone who remembers the early days of Top Dawg.

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  Episode #50

  #50: Paul Toole - 100 Days Closed - The Mt Victoria Pass Crisis

  Jun 17, 20261h 5mS1

  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 2035 We 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.

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  Episode #49

  #49: Built on Family: Holly & Laura Vatalis Growing the Fox Brand in Lithgow

  Apr 17, 202654 minS1

  In this episode of Made in Lithgow, we sit down with Laura and Holly Vatalis — two of the driving forces behind The Blue Fox, The Fast Fox, Fast Fox Portland, and soon, Cubs. Behind it all is their mum, Kat — the matriarch of the family and the steady force that helped bring it all to life. What started as a short-term move turned into a decade of building businesses, backing each other, and becoming part of the fabric of Lithgow. This is a story about family — and how three women, each with different strengths, have built something that works.| In this conversation, Laura and Holly open up about: What it’s really like working in a family business How they’ve grown from one venue to multiple locations The pressure of employing and supporting a large local team And the challenges they’ve had to push through — fire, flood, bushfires, Covid, gas outages, and now the ongoing road and traffic impacts through town We also talk about why Lithgow has become home, the importance of community, and why more good venues in town should be seen as a win, not a competition. This is an honest conversation about resilience, family, hospitality, and what it actually takes to build something that lasts.

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  Episode #48

  #48: Building the Future Citizen – Dr Foty Loupos & the Future of Education in Lithgow

  Mar 31, 202656 minS1

  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.

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