Blog

Australian Greeks Project

The recording of the oral history of the Greeks of Australia and the creation of an extensive archive is the subject of a Memorandum of Cooperation, which was co-signed by the Greek Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni and the Archbishop of Australia, Makarios. The memorandum provides for the systematic and methodical recording of the personal stories and adventures of the people of the Greek Diaspora in Australia, mainly from first immigrants, through the non-profit program “Our People Their Stories” of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia. Read full story here.

Record Family Histories

Preserving these stories, as audio and video computer files, fills in the fine grain of history that is often missed. And you and your family also have a “history” worth recording and preserving. You may have seen the popular PBS series, “Finding Your Roots,” with Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. and thought, “I wonder what is in my family’s history.” Your own oral history project could help fill in that story. Read more here.

Christchurch Earthquake Memories

A Christchurch Trust hopes a new earthquake oral history walk will encourage locals yet to set foot in the city centre again to come back. Twelve years ago today, the city was rocked by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake which claimed 185 lives. Our Stories Trust and Canterbury University have created the Earthquake Stories Walk, a 30-minute trail based on the anonymous experiences of about 30 people. Read full story with link to story trail here.

Vietnam Veteran’s New Book

Gary McKay was the first Australian solder to write an autobiography on his time serving in the Vietnam War, eventually turning his career to preserving military history. This Australia Day he is being honoured for his contribution to the nation’s veterans and our history by receiving a Medal of the Order of Australia. Read full article here.

Oral History used for Historical Fiction

“Ami Polonsky’s newest book for young readers, World Made of Glass, is set in 1987 and features Iris, a 12-year-old facing her father’s death from AIDS. In an era when the president hadn’t uttered the word “AIDS,” Iris copes with her grief and anger at losing her father and the discrimination he and his friends face, and finds solace by getting involved with ACT UP, the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power.” Read full article here and see the interviews here.

Monash Scholar at Columbia University

“New York City is a long way from Wiradjuri Country but that hasn’t stopped filmmaker Bronte Gosper from remembering what her identity means to her. A Monash scholar, Gosper landed in New York City to complete an oral history Masters at Columbia University. As part of her masters, she’s making a documentary recording the histories of Aboriginal activism in Australia. The Wiradjuri woman said she wanted to make this documentary after she noticed the lack of stories being told from the point of view of Aboriginal women. “I wanted to record the histories and stories of Indigenous female activists who’ve worked to empower their communities, particularly in the years fro1980 to 2005,” she said.” See full story here.