Opening of The Library at the Dock 2014

Was my pleasure to tell stories at the opening of this gorgeous new library, 5 mins on the no 48 tram from Southern Cross Station.

Situated in Melbourne Docklands, a comfortable 3 story building with one of the highest green ratings in Australia. This library has everything!

Here I am telling stories from a set of tales I have been working on that I call Flyway.

The Yarra River didn't always do a clean right swing passed the city; rather it looped to the north and what we now call the Docklands was a swamp full of wildlife, especially birds. There would have been all sorts and many migratory birds - now there is food for thought (ie stories).

Storytelling Australia Victoria is working on a series of 6 storytelling shows titled Words on the Wind to be performed in this wonderful new venue. Curated by Anne E Stewart, 9 storytellers will explore, the location, history, environment ... of The Dock.

Details to come but in the meantime check out the lbrary HERE

And thank you to the Docklands News for allowing me to use this lovely photo.

Words on the Winds kicks of on July 24 with Jan Wositzky's show Buckley: The Go-between. check it out HERE.

Here's a little video I made at the opening. The Jindi Woraback Dance Group. Enjoy!

Stories for the very young as part of the Newport Folk Festival 5 July 2014

Dharma and I have been telling stories to the very young at the Festival since it began. This is my local Festival, A weekend when all else is set aside for the celebration of music, dance and stories for all ages of all kinds.

Newport Folk  Festival program HERE

Australian Fairy Tale Society Inaugural Conference 2014

Just returned from chairing the inaugural Australian Fairy Tale Society Conference. I managed to keep the day on time which was a huge relief. Time management is not a skill I boast about! This Society is a wonderful initiative. The best I can do to share the day with you, is this slide show. Here you can see the presenters and glean an idea of the strength of the papers.The AFTS is a not-for-profit society focused on collecting, preserving, discussig, sharing and creating Australian fairy tales.

I urge you to visit the new website: http://ausfairytalesociety.com.au/

Williamstown Literary Festival 2014

This Festival is an amazing achievemnet. Every year, a bunch of hard working volunteers bend over backwards to create a festival of words that everyone can enjoy.

Some time ago, I was approached by a Book Club to meet and share stories. But this was no ordinary Book Club, Chapter Five is five young people from the Mornington Peninsula. I asked the programmer of the Williamstown Literary Festival if we could be included in the weekend and maybe inspire other young people to set up a Book Club. Lorraine didn't pause for breathe - the answer was 'Yes'. So this was the deal: Chapter Five hosted a session on how to set up a Book Club and led a discussion on Wonder by RJ Palacio and I reciprocated with a set of traditional folk tales.

Chapter Five were inspirational! Fingers and toes crossed that there was someone in the audience who will pick up the baton and offer a Book Club discussion next year. If not, we'll just have to ask them back!

History and stories: Anniversary Celebrations at the Old Laverton School. 2014

Better late than never - here are some photographs of the Anniversary Celebrations at the Old Laverton School. 

The Old Laverton Schoolin Altona Meadows is one of the last remaining single-room schools in Victoria. Built in 1888 its now embedded in Melbourne’s suburban west. Beautifully restored and now used by community groups for yoga, theatre rehearsals, and all sorts of wonderful things … The old school celebrated 125 years with scones, silent films, sack races and of course storytelling. I was was there with colleague Alan Davies to share stories from the past and encourage the exchange of memories. Using the idea of an ‘Assembly’ to frame our program, Alan led the singing while I focused on the stories.

As my Queensland storytelling friend, Bettina Nissan says, ‘Stories beget stories’. And so it was. No sooner had the Assembly finished; the stories flowed.

Alan and I both live in the west and met through the local Newport Folk Club. From my experience, connecting and working with my community and council has proved rewarding in so many ways. I feel part of something very special and humbled by the support Hobsons Bay Council and the Club has given me to develop my practice as a professional story teller working in the oral tradition.

Alan Davies is a Marriage Celebrant and director of the Newport Community Choir

Williamstorwn Literary Festival: Chapter Five Book Club followed by Wonder Tales. 2014

I’m very excited about the Williamstown Literary Festival this year.

Some time ago, I was contacted by the Chapter Five Book Club, a group of passionate young readers from the Mornington Peninsula. Chapter Five were keen to visit my part of town and talk story. I suggested we organize a get-together to coincide with the Festival. And thanks to the Willy Lit Fest program committee, you can join us:

WHERE: The Festival HUB

WHEN: Sunday 1 June

TIME: 12.30 – 1.00 Chapter Five Book Club will be discussing  ‘Wonder' by R.J. Palacio as well as talking about their favourite reads.

Following a short break I will be telling some Wonder Tales from Germany, Spain and Kazakhstan.

TIME: 1.30 -2.30 in the HUB

Both events are FREE and we hope some other young story lovers will join us. Chapter Five are in year 7.

If you haven’t read ‘Wonder’ and don’t have the time between now and the Festival, that’s OK. You will still enjoy the discussion, I promise, and Chapter Five want to hear what other folks are reading – so please, please bring a book to share!

Check out the full Festival program HERE

Storytelling, music and silent movies: The Old Laverton School is 125.

Jackie Kerin (that'd be me) will be among guests at an open day for the old Laverton School in Altona Meadows. I'll be there with my friend and colleague, Alan Davies. Alan is the director of the Newport Community Choir and will lead us in a few rounds of song.

The Old Laverton School is one of Melbourne’s last remaining single-room schools, the 125-year-old building at 53 Kiora Street operated as a school until 1951.

It is now a community and arts centre but will be opened to the public during the National Trust Heritage Festival.

Visitors will be treated to storytelling, music and silent movies from the 1920s and ’30s, with scones served just like they were for the school’s war fund-raising efforts. The school will be open on Saturday 3 May from 1pm.

More details: Call 9932 1000 or email info@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au