Beyond Words - The Biography Program

26/05/2026

What lovely feedback from a family member regarding her mum's recent biography!
Thank you to volunteer biographer, Gabby, for her work on this meaningful biography.

18/05/2026

We are looking forward to celebrating and thanking our volunteers at our National Volunteer week event on Saturday!

Happy National Volunteer Week!

This week, we celebrate and thank the 9.5 million volunteers across Australia who give to communities every day.

Volunteers are the heart of Australian communities. They support people through challenges, create connection and belonging, strengthen local communities, and help essential services and organisations thrive.

2026 is a defining year for volunteering, and throughout National Volunteer Week, we are proud to celebrate the people and communities at the heart of it.

To every volunteer across Australia, thank you.

Let’s make 2026 Your Year to Volunteer.

Join the celebration this week and tag a volunteer in the comments to show your thanks.

30/04/2026

Our volunteer biographer, Mark, told us it was a privilege to spend time with Gary to capture his story and was taken with his resilience and positivity. Gary's life motto is ‘Carpe Diem’ and this inspired the title of his story.

The book was presented to Gary at an event arranged by the Lifestyle Coordinator, which was well attended by residents and staff as well as Gary's wife and three of his children. Gary read a humorous extract from his story (there were plenty to choose from) and afterwards Mark enjoyed a coffee and catch up with his family.

29/04/2026

What a fantastic project: Celebrating the Lives & Stories of Australian Centenarians

Arthur Walker, born in 1925, shares his compelling real stories from a life that began with a one night stand and immediate foster care.

Arthur spent much of his childhood moving between foster homes and boys’ homes around Victoria during the Great Depression — growing up without stability, electricity, or certainty about where he belonged. It wasn’t until he was 65 years old that Arthur discovered the name on his birth certificate wasn’t the name he’d used his entire life. He doesn’t dwell on it, but when he talks about those years, there’s no mistaking how hard they were. What stayed with him most wasn’t anger — it was the feeling of not belonging anywhere.

When he was finally reunited with his mother as a teenager, it changed everything.

Arthur reflects on a century of change: from kerosene lamps and community singing at the Regent Theatre, to serving in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II, flying training missions and surviving crash landings. He talks about work, love, loss, blended family life, footy loyalties, and what he believes helped him live to 100.

Family grew around him over time — children, step-children, grandchildren, and even great, great grandchildren. To everyone, he is simply “Pa”.

Discover more inspiring stories from Australia’s centenarians on The 100 Project.

09/04/2026

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Volunteer Coordinator to lead and support our dedicated volunteer community and ensure the smooth delivery of our Victorian based free biography service.

Position Summary Beyond Words is seeking a passionate and highly organized Volunteer Coordinator based in...

08/04/2026

This testimonial from Rob, who recently read through his father's biography, captures the essence of what we do by bringing a story to life in someone's own words.
Thank you to volunteer biographer Dianne for capturing the story so well!

.

11/03/2026

This week we have welcomed five new biographers to our volunteer team – congratulations to Paula, Maria, Brigette, Katherine and Christine 👩‍🎓
Thank you to Duncan for leading this training as well as the other volunteers who contributed their time to ensure we have well prepared biographers!

07/03/2026

On this International Women's Day we celebrate our female volunteers who make up 80% of our volunteer group - thank you to them all for their significant contribution to Beyond Words!

03/03/2026

If you are interested in biography writing, this Writers Victoria event on 12 March will guide you through the process.

https://writersvictoria.org.au/calendars/events/event/?id=1410

26/02/2026

Volunteer biographer Michelle is pictured presenting Judith with her biography.
Michelle said it was a privilege to sit with Judith and listen to her 99 years of life experience.

Despite some heavy sadness, her aptly titled life story, 'Counting My Blessings', is a reflection of her attitude to living a long life. We agreed she would make an excellent tour guide for Geelong's historic buildings and waterfront. We wish Judith a happy 100th birthday in May 🎂