February 7, 2023

We are thrilled to announce that Nigena (Nyikina) author Dr Cindy Solonec has been named our new senior-in-residence at Centre for Stories.

The senior-in-residence program (also known as the elder-in-residence program) enables a writer over the age of 60 to work on their creative practice at Centre for Stories for three months, receiving a $3,000 stipend for their time.

Originally from the West Kimberley, Cindy graduated with a PhD in History from UWA in 2016. Her debut novel Debesa is a rewriting of her thesis that explores a social history in the West Kimberley based on the way her parents and extended family lived during the mid-1900s. It chronicles her family’s struggles and triumphs on a sheep station and the rich cultural heritage of their Spanish, Nigena and English ancestors.

Cindy will begin her residency in February 2023 and work on researching the mysterious relocation of Nellie Mayall from Liveringa Station to Pinjarra in the 1900s. Family oral history is limited, and attempts by Nellie’s descendants to find their Kimberley relatives have been unsuccessful – Cindy hopes to change that and believes the story has strong potential to be worked into a historical fiction novel.

‘I’m very grateful to the Centre for Stories for this opportunity and I’m looking forward to delving into researching Nellie Mayall,’ said Cindy after receiving the exciting news.

As part of her residency, Cindy will also provide mentoring and feedback to emerging writers engaging with Centre for Stories, including running a memoir writing workshop: ‘Writing Your Family History‘. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date with what Cindy will be working on during her residency.

This residency was made entirely possible by generous donations from our Community Fund. If you would like to donate to this program, you can do so here.