Seeking storytellers for Swanbourne Story Tracks

January 8, 2025

Centre for Stories is seeking expressions of interest from people with connections to the Swanbourne, Cottesloe and Claremont areas to share stories of their connection to place and community.

Centre for Stories, in partnership with Town Team Movement, is excited to announce a new storytelling project: SWANBOURNE STORY TRACKS. Setting out from the heart of Swanbourne Train Station, travelling north, south, east and west, we are seeking to train new storytellers who live within or have personal connections to areas between Freshwater Bay, Lake Claremont and the Indian Ocean. This includes people with significant memories from and connections to the suburbs of Swanbourne, Cottesloe and Claremont.

This program is a part of Project Mooro, a new development guided by the Living Future Institute’s Living Building Challenge (LBC). This storytelling initiative honours being on Country, celebrating the history of the place and its people. We aim to deepen the bonds between people and place through shared stories, creating a collective narrative reflecting the community’s identity and connection.

What kind of stories are we looking for?  

Stories can be big or small, from grand events to intimate conversations, but they must be true and have been experienced by you – we ask that you do not submit stories that were told to you by someone else, for example.  

We are particularly interested in stories about CONNECTION – connection to place and community – from people identifying as First Nations, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, LGBTQIA+, living with a disability and/or experiencing financial hardship. Listen to some examples of previous stories we’ve collected to get a better idea of what one of our “stories” might sound like.

In the application form below, you will be asked to share a story idea that comes to mind based on an experience you have had within the Swanbourne/Claremont/Cottesloe region. Please note that any ideas you submit do not need to be the final story you craft in the workshops – we just want to get a better idea of who you are and what your experience has been.  

Scroll down to complete the application form below to become a storyteller for this project. 

What is the program? 

After considering applications, up to 15 individuals will be invited to co-design the storytelling program with Centre for Stories: we will ask you, how do you want to share your stories?  We will then provide group storytelling training for the participants over a month in February. A select group of storytellers will then have the chance to speak publicly at storytelling events around Swanbourne in March.

The dates for the workshops are 8, 15, 22 February and 1 March (Saturdays from 9am – 11am) at a venue (to be announced) in the Swanbourne area.

All workshop participants will: 

• Learn fundamental storytelling and narrative techniques.
• Improve their public speaking and confidence.
• Bond and connect with new people, hearing fascinating and moving stories from their community.
• Have a unique opportunity to share their experiences with a wider audience.

The storytellers who are chosen to speak at the final community events will be remunerated financially for their time.

If consent is provided by you, the storytellers, your stories may also be recorded and shared online through Centre for Stories and Town Team Movement’s communications, including website, social media and podcast. 

Who will be your Story Trainer? 

Colin Archibald was born to migrant parents from Jamaica and spent his formative years in London. He has been living in Perth for the past 15 years, where he supports businesses to retain, support, and empower employees from culturally diverse backgrounds through his consultancy, Eleven Consulting. He also works for the Education Department as a youth support worker at a local high school and an oral storytelling trainer for Centre for Stories.

If you have any questions about these workshops or the application process, contact Vuma Phiri at vuma@centreforstories.com. 

Application Closing Date: 28th January 2024  at 12:59PM AWST.  

Feature image: Storytellers at Side Walks 2021. Photo credit: Sophie Minissale.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY NOW

Name *

First

Last

Date of Birth *

Email *

Phone *

Residential Post Code *

How did you hear about Centre for Stories? *

• Word of mouth
• Social Media
• Website
• Email
• Attended an event
• From another organisation
• Print materials eg posters

What are your pronouns?She/herHe/himThey/themOther (please let us know below)Prefer not to say

Do you identify as any of the following: culturally and linguistically diverse, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, living with a disability, LGBTQIA+, and/or experiencing financial hardship and housing insecurity, none of the above, or Other?

Please share as much as you like about your identity if you feel comfortable doing so. Centre for Stories encourages the diverse voices within our community, that have historically been marginalised and silenced, to speak up and share their experiences.

Is there anything we can do to make the workshops feel safer for you?

For example, please share any accessibility needs you may have or whether you have complex trauma and need additional support. This information is stored privately by Centre for Stories. If you prefer to call is to discuss your needs, please call Vuma on (08) 9328 1443.

What story are you interested in sharing? *

Remember that the story should be true, real things you have experienced. It does not have to be very long – a few sentences is fine. The idea(s) you submit here do not have to be the final story you craft in the workshop, but we encourage you to share what ideas come to mind based on the idea of “connection”. We are particularly interested in stories about connection to place and community. You will have time to change your mind about what story you share.

What do you hope to get out of these storytelling workshops?

Any new skills or experiences? We are looking forward to hearing your goals and creative ideas in more detail at the first co-design workshop.

The workshops are currently scheduled on Saturdays 8, 15, 22 February and 1 March 2025. Please acknowledge if you can commit to attending these workshops below. *Yes, I have put these dates in my calendar!No, I cannot commit.

If you have a preference for meeting on other days in the week, please detail below.

(E.g. prefer to meet on Sundays or Tuesday evenings.)

Preference will be given to selecting those who are looking forward to sharing their stories publicly at events around Swanbourne in November. While you can withdraw consent to share at any point, at this early stage and in principle, are you looking forward to sharing a story at an event? *Yes, I can't wait to share my story with others.No, I only intend on sharing my story in the workshops.

Submit

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