Emerald stories central as young people connect with experience
Capturing the untold stories of Emerald and surrounds is giving young people a chance to show off their digital skills – and to forge connections with some of the region’s longest-serving residents.
CQUniversity is hosting a series of Emerald workshops to help the process, with the Tell Me Your Story project inviting young people (aged 14-24) and retired or semi-retired locals to get involved.
The free sessions are being held on Thursday 14 November from 5.30pm – 7pm at CQUniversity's Emerald campus, and on Saturday 23 November from 10.30am – 12pm at the Outback Exploratorium.
To attend, register at the Outback Exploratorium website.
Dr Linda Lorenza is CQU’s Head of Course for Theatre and is leading the innovative project, which resembles elements of hit ABC TV program Old People’s Home for Teenagers.
She said fascinating stories and connections were already emerging.
“So much of the history and experiences of a region is held in the minds of the older generations who live there – and in many cases, who have lived there for their entire lives!” Dr Lorenza said.
Dr Lorenza has already heard stories about Margaret, widely known as the 'Queen of Emerald', who has lived in the same house for more than 70 years, as well as the crushing story of the family who moved into town on a horse and cart and an ill-fated river crossing swept away all of their belongs in the process.
The workshops will hear from CQU Theatre and Digital Media academics, as well as Emerald Little Theatre, to help guide the participants in shaping stories.
Over coming months, those stories will be captured via mobile phone, with final edits featuring at a film festival in Emerald in May 2025.
November’s workshops will feature a giant map of Emerald, as participants connect their stories to locations, and get inspired by some of the wild and wonderful landscapes of the Central Highlands/Gayiri language region.
The Tell Me Your Story project has been underway since early 2024. Dr Lorenza said project leaders had worked with local partners and attended a range of events in that time.
The project will create a research-informed template to promote community cohesion and prevent isolation across generations, which Dr Lorenza is co-investigator alongside CQU Professor Olav Muurlink.
“At the Neighbourhood Centre’s Mental Health Day in the park, an older gentleman Peter told me he always dresses up and is Santa Claus for local events, but every year he has to explain to more perplexed kids about why Santa is turning up on a motorised scooter and not a sleigh!” she said.
“In the theatre, and for this project, we always look to build stories around conflict and challenge, and how our characters can overcome obstacles – Peter is a great example of a character who tackles obstacles, like Santa not having a sleigh, and contributes to a happier community in the process.”
