Oral history adds to the historical record of our experiences of the past. Yarra Plenty Regional Library recognizes that the collection of memories as living histories is part of the work we do to collect, preserve, and share local stories.
Are you a migrant to Australia, live or work in Banyule, Nillumbik or Whittlesea and would like to share your story?
The Homeland: Preserving stories of treasured objects from afar project will facilitate community connection through a greater understanding of local diversity, identity, and culture. We aim to interview ten migrant Australians across our three municipalities and collect unique stories based around a treasured object which they chose to bring to their new homeland.
Participants will be photographed, interviewed, and filmed. A digital exhibition will be launched in the second half of 2024 and stories will also be accessible online.
Participating in the Project
The project involves being interviewed in person by a Librarian. The Participant will be guided through the interview, with questions based around the individual’s life, their migration experience, ways they have maintained their culture and settlement into becoming an Australian. The participant will also be asked to describe their object and its importance. The session would be no longer than half a day. The person will be photographed, and the interview will be filmed. It will take place at one of three library locations.
Participants are welcome to bring a family member or support person on the day. If English is your second language, let us know and we may be able to provide an interpreter. Participation in this project is completely voluntary. A participant can withdraw at any stage. Participants will be asked to sign a consent form requesting permission for the interview to be video recorded.
If you are interested in sharing your story and being involved in this project, we encourage you to fill out and submit the Expression of Interest form. Ten people will be selected to participate. Each person who nominates will be contacted to let them know the outcome of their application. (Email contact preferred).
How the interviews will be used, stored and made accessible
Recordings will be posted online and will be accessible via the Yarra Plenty Regional Library website.
Important Dates
Closing Date for Expressions of Interest – Sunday 17 March 2024
Expected date for applicants to be notified – Late March 2024
Interviews will take place – April 2024
Questions? Email: localhistorygene@yprl.vic.gov.au
Be inspired: Watch
The Migrant Experience series on Kanopy presents a condensed general history of migration to Australia over 200 years.
Be Inspired: Listen
Return of an Essex Girl
Acknowledgements
Yarra Plenty Regional Library gratefully acknowledges the Local History Grants Program and Public Records Office Victoria, supported by the Victorian Government through the Community Support Fund.
