23/10/2026
This Monday, 26 Oct. Don't miss it!
Spoken Memories of Bonegilla
This two‑hour introductory session offers participants a reflective and engaging taste of the Spoken Memories project — a community‑driven oral history initiative capturing the lived experiences of former Bonegilla residents and their families. Through a blend of storytelling, gentle activities, and guided listening, participants will explore the emotional landscape of arrival at Bonegilla, the themes that shape migrant memory, and the craft of trauma‑informed oral history.
The session begins with an overview of Bonegilla’s history and purpose, accompanied by short audio excerpts from the Spoken Memories archive. Participants then take part in a “Memory Mapping” activity, sketching a place from their early life to consider how personal geography anchors memory. A second information segment introduces the voices behind the interviews — themes of courage, loss, humour, and resilience — and offers a brief look at ethical, consent‑based, and trauma‑aware interviewing practice. The session concludes with a choice of hands‑on activities: exploring personal story threads or practising a short paired interview.
Across the two hours, participants gain insight into why community memory matters and how everyday stories contribute to our shared understanding of identity and belonging.
About the presenter
Andy Smith is a volunteer oral‑history facilitator with the Bonegilla Migrant Experience and leads the Spoken Memories project. His work centres on gentle interviewing, trauma‑informed listening, and supporting individuals to honour the stories that shape their lives and heritage.
