Geoff Fanning

Executive Summary: Geoffrey “Geoff” Fanning (born c.1945, died April 2026) was a well-known figure in the Blue Mountains, NSW community media and arts scene. He co‑founded and published The Blue Mountains Whisper – an independent satirical monthly – from 1989 to 1991

. He later became a longtime volunteer broadcaster at Radio Blue Mountains (89.1 FM), where he hosted music and culture programs and championed local artists. Fanning was admired for using humor and alternative media to engage the community, often called the “Wizard of RBM” by listeners. He passed away in April 2026, prompting tributes from local groups.

Verified Bio and Roles

Geoff Fanning was a Katoomba-based community media figure known for co‑publishing a local satirical newspaper and for his work in community radio. A long‑time resident of the Blue Mountains, he helped foster local culture through his writing and broadcasting.

Independent Publisher: Co‑published The Blue Mountains Whisper (Nov 1989 – Sept 1991)

, an independent monthly (occasionally bimonthly) with a satirical edge distributed throughout the upper Blue Mountains.

Community Radio Presenter: Volunteer DJ and presenter on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM (dates unspecified). (Nickname “Wizard of RBM” suggests a prominent role on-air.)

Community Advocate: Active in local arts and media; known for humorously addressing community issues through satire and radio.

Death: Passed away April 2026 (age ~81; reported by Blue Mountains Gazette tributes).

Tarot Card: The Magician

The Magician is the Tarot card most emblematic of Geoff Fanning’s persona. This card symbolizes creativity, communication and the ability to channel unseen forces into tangible form. Fanning’s life and work closely mirrored these themes: he was a media “magician” who transformed ideas and local stories into engaging radio shows and print satire.

On the Magician card, a figure stands with one hand raised to the sky and one pointing to earth – a classic “as above, so below” pose. Similarly, Fanning bridged worlds through his radio and writing: he tapped into the community’s spirit (above) and transmitted it into grassroots culture (below). He used simple tools – a pen, a mic, a sense of humor – to weave together news, music and commentary.

The Magician’s table often holds symbols of the four elements (wands, cups, swords, pentacles). In a Blue Mountains context, Fanning’s “tools” could be seen as newspapers, vinyl records, local art and community events. His talent was in pulling these diverse elements together. Like the card’s Magician, he was resourceful and inventive – able to make the ordinary extraordinary (for example, turning a local council meeting or a Saturday-night radio slot into an entertaining show).

Moreover, the Magician card denotes willpower, mastery and teaching. Fanning was a quiet mentor and storyteller on-air, guiding listeners through eclectic music and local news. His satirical writing taught the community to laugh at itself and to stay informed. The Magician’s infinity symbol (often drawn over the head) hints at endless potential; in Fanning’s case, it suggests a legacy of creativity and wit that continues to inspire Blue Mountains media.

Secondary Tarot Card: The Fool

As a secondary archetype, The Fool could also fit aspects of Geoff Fanning’s character. The Fool represents a free spirit, a jester, and a seeker who embarks on new journeys with optimism and innocence. Fanning’s work had a playful, unpredictable edge (much like a Fool’s energy). He took risks in publishing controversial satire and championed underrepresented music – ventures often begun in a spirit of adventure. The Fool’s journey on the card is about exploration and learning through experience, reflecting Fanning’s decades-long path in community media without following a rigid plan. (A custom Fool card for him might show a microphone and cassette deck slung over his shoulder as he steps into the Blue Mountains’ mist, cat by his side.)

Tarot Card Visual Description

A custom Magician-style Tarot card for Geoff Fanning might include:

Central Figure: Fanning at a vintage radio microphone (or holding a wizard’s staff made of an antenna) in one hand and a reporter’s notebook or newspaper (e.g. The Whisper) in the other.

Symbols on the Table: Instead of the traditional elements, the table holds a turntable or vinyl record (sound), an old radio dial (airwaves), a quill or pen (writing), and local native flowers (Blue Mountains bush) as a nod to place.

Background: The Blue Mountains valley vista behind him at sunrise or sunset, symbolizing the region he served; possibly misty or with Katoomba landmarks in silhouette.

Additional Motifs: Radio waves or light beams radiating from the microphone; an infinity symbol subtly formed by a coil of tape or cable. A friendly cat could sit by his feet (referencing the cat from the tribute). A small stack of Whisper issues or satirical headlines scattered around.

Wardrobe/Costume: A mix of radio-host attire and wizardly flair – e.g. a Merlin-style cloak with musical notes embroideries, or a suit jacket with a bolo tie that looks like a magic sigil.

Color/Style: Warm, earthy tones (rust red, ochre, eucalyptus green) combined with bright accents (gold for creativity, blue for calm communication). An artful, slightly humorous tone to match the satirical spirit – for example, a cheeky smirk on the Magician’s face.

Table: Profile Summary

Roles Public Impact Activism Focus Radio Shows Tarot Symbolism

Satirical publisher (co-publisher of Blue Mountains Whisper, 1989–1991)

<br>Community radio host (Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM presenter)<br>Local media advocate Fostered independent media and community spirit through humor and music; gave a platform to local culture and issues Cultural/community activism – promoting local arts, free speech and civic awareness via satire and radio Hosted various programs on Radio Blue Mountains (exact show names unspecified); likely specialty music and local interest segments The Magician: creativity, communication, transformation (bridges sky and earth) <br>Also The Fool: playful, pioneering spirit

Image Search Queries for “The Magician” Card Art

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“The Magician tarot card Blue Mountains landscape”

Romola Hollywood — Queen of Pentacles (Tarot Portrait)

Romola Hollywood is a long-time resident of Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains, where she has lived for more than 35 years. She is a community leader, cultural advocate, and civic representative, serving as a Blue Mountains City Councillor (Ward 2) since 2012 and as Deputy Mayor since 2021, with re-elections in 2016, 2021 and 2024. With an academic background including a BA (Hons) and M.Phil, she has also worked professionally in community services, training, and policy development, with a career grounded in public service and community capacity-building.

Romola’s contribution to the cultural life of the Blue Mountains is closely tied to community infrastructure, heritage, and participation. In the 1990s she played an important role in the campaign to restore the Wentworth Falls School of Arts, serving on its committee and supporting its refurbishment and revival as a vital local venue. She contributed to the reopening in 1997, including involvement in coordinating community-facing events and supporting the functioning of the space as a hub for performance, meetings, and creative activity. Her ongoing engagement with arts and culture has continued through support for local theatre, heritage projects, and oral-history initiatives that preserve and amplify community stories.

Beyond the arts, Romola has held significant roles in regional governance and advisory work. She has been involved with the NSW Public Libraries Association, including leadership responsibilities, reflecting her commitment to access to knowledge, learning, and inclusive community spaces. Her participation in Rural Fire Service and National Parks advisory structures further reflects a strong connection to environmental stewardship and community resilience in a region shaped by both natural beauty and environmental risk. Across these roles, she has consistently worked at the intersection of culture, environment, and community wellbeing.

In the context of this Tarot deck, Romola aligns most strongly with the Queen of Pentacles. This archetype represents grounded care, practical wisdom, and nurturing leadership rooted in place. The Queen of Pentacles is a custodian of community wellbeing and environmental harmony, reflecting Romola’s long-standing dedication to both civic responsibility and cultural sustainability in the Blue Mountains. Her work embodies stability, service, and the quiet cultivation of strong community foundations.

A secondary resonance can be found in The Empress, symbolising creativity, abundance, and the flourishing of community life. This aspect reflects her support for cultural expression, heritage preservation, and the nurturing of spaces where community stories can grow and be shared. The Empress adds a layer of generative creativity to her grounded civic presence.

Visually, Romola’s card might place her within the layered landscapes of Wentworth Falls—surrounded by native forest, filtered light, and sandstone textures. Symbolic elements such as a book (knowledge and libraries), subtle civic motifs, and native flora like waratah or eucalyptus blossoms would reinforce her connection to place, culture, and stewardship. The palette would lean toward earth tones, deep greens, and warm gold, evoking both stability and living, evolving community life.

Romola Hollywood — Queen of Pentacles (Tarot Portrait)

Romola Hollywood is a long-time resident of Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains, where she has lived for more than 35 years. She is a community leader, arts advocate, and civic representative, serving as a Blue Mountains City Councillor (Ward 2) since 2012 and as Deputy Mayor since 2021, with re-elections in 2016, 2021 and 2024. With an academic background including a BA (Hons) and M.Phil, her professional work spans community services, training, and policy roles grounded in public service and sustained local engagement.

In the arts and cultural life of the region, Romola has played a significant role through governance and advocacy. In the 1990s she contributed to the campaign to restore the Wentworth Falls School of Arts, serving on its committee and supporting its refurbishment and reopening in 1997, where she also assisted with stage management for the reopening events. She continues to support local theatre, heritage initiatives, and oral-history projects that preserve community memory. Her broader service includes involvement with the NSW Public Libraries Association, as well as participation in Rural Fire Service and National Parks advisory committees, reflecting a consistent commitment to cultural and civic life.

Her public life reflects a strong focus on environmental stewardship, access to knowledge, and community wellbeing. As a councillor and Deputy Mayor, she advocates for sustainable development and the protection of the Blue Mountains World Heritage environment. Her leadership is shaped by long-term residence and an intimate understanding of local communities, ensuring that cultural vitality and environmental responsibility remain central to civic decision-making.

Within this Tarot project, Romola aligns most strongly with the Queen of Pentacles, an archetype of grounded care, practical nurturing, and community stewardship. This card reflects earth energy, stability, and the integration of home, place, and responsibility—qualities evident in her long-standing civic service. Her work across local government, cultural advocacy, and environmental committees mirrors the Queen’s role as custodian of people and place. A secondary resonance can be found in The Empress, highlighting her support for creativity and community cultural expression.

A suggested visual interpretation places her within the Blue Mountains landscape among native ferns and filtered forest light, rendered in earth tones and warm gold. Symbolic elements such as a book representing knowledge and libraries, subtle council motifs, and native flora like waratah or eucalyptus blossoms would reflect her civic, cultural, and environmental presence, grounding the card in both place and purpose.