Down Memory Lane in Yarram

In 2010, Mary Salce, Bushfire Community Support Officer with Wellington Shire Council, invited me to conduct two writing workshops for ‘senior’ residents of Yarram and District. Right from the start, this project was a pleasure. At the end of the first workshop, each participant departed for home with a light step and looking forward to writing their story!

We arranged for participants with email facilities to assist those who did not have email facilities. In this way, together with phone communication, a ring of support was established and writing was underway. The embracing of technology in creating these stories and producing this book was remarkable — the youngest participant being aged more than 65 years, and the eldest a sprightly 88.

Each participant set out to write 2000 words about their life, in accordance with the guidance provided. Stories were lodged several times for feedback, and each steadily improved with each new draft. We met again a month later, for readings of each story, and the participants enjoyed listening to and reading each other’s work. They were all amazed at the diversity and very pleased with their progress.
Together the nine stories of more than 20,000 words weave a rich tapestry of life in the Yarram District over the past 100 years. The stories are a reminder that each district has a wealth of social history well worth recording.

In accomplishing their dream of starting a memoir as a keepsake for their family members, the participants also have preserved a chapter in Yarram and District’s rich social history for generations to come.
This project was a Community Recovery initiative, supported by the Wellington Shire Council and funded by the generosity of the citizens of Australia.