Heritage Festival: Unearthed Oral Histories Workshop
This is a Council led event.
10/05/2025 - Hurstville Library.
Share your story and create content for Georges River Libraries' oral history collection.
Do you have a story to share about living in Georges River? As part of the Australian Heritage Festival we’re inviting you and your families to learn how to document your own oral histories and add to our local studies collections.
Oral Histories capture the stories of our communities through formal and informal recorded interviews. Local History Librarians and recording experts will help you unearth and document your own history and create a recording that will be added to the library’s Oral History Collection.
Children aged 10 years and over, young people, or adults and their chosen adult interview subject will work together to capture the interviewee’s story of coming to live in the Georges River area and the life they’ve enjoyed here – either by being raised as a local or by choosing to make their home here later in life. This is a great opportunity for bonding between young people and their elders and a chance to share your story with future generations.
In this workshop you will:
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Learn what Oral History is and why it is an important part of our library’s collection.
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What questions you should ask and things you should discuss in your interview to capture a compelling story.
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Work with an audio recording expert to use the library’s Sound Booth and Digital Tools Collection to capture.
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Your interview and record it for posterity.
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Learn about all the free resources you can borrow from our collections to continue your recording journey.
About the Oral History Collection:
Comprising of over 200 recordings on a diverse range of topics, this collection is an intimate and inspiring insight into the memories of the community. Georges River Libraries' oral history collection aims to reflect the unique history of the Georges River area, from family life to sports, migration stories and reminiscences of days gone by.
Browse the collection:
About the Facilitator:
Joseph Corr has worked in media for over two decades, with experience at Disney, ESPN, Foxtel, and Channel 10. Currently, he is a Video Podcast Producer with 9Podcasts and Channel 9, specialising in content creation and production. With extensive industry knowledge, Joseph brings practical insights and real-world expertise to help you capture your stories.
Saturday 10 May 2025
Address
Hurstville Library
Corner Queens Road and Dora Street, Hurstville.
Times
10.00am - 1.00pm.
Cost
Free.
Bookings
Spaces are limited, so bookings are essential.
Note you will need to book two tickets - one for the interviewer and one for the interviewee.
Book Now
More Information
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Experience: No experience required.
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Equipment: All equipment will be provided.
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For participants aged 10 years and under, parents and/or guardians of children must remain in the library for the duration of the program.
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For participants under the age of 16, parent and/or guardian contact details must be provided at the time of booking.
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If you arrive more than 10 minutes after the advertised start time and there are people in the standby queue, your ticket may be allocated to the standby queue.
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If you are unable to attend, please cancel your registration at least 3 hours prior to the event. As Library Programs have limited spaces, repeated failure to notify staff of cancellations may result in bookings being refused in the future.
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The library does not endorse or promote any products which may be used in the workshop.
About the Local History Team:
Our Local History Team support the preservation and promotion of the Georges River Council through the research and collection of local historical materials such as maps, photographs and newspapers to gain a deeper understanding of our history, culture, and community.
The team also coordinates Georges River Council’s Historical Markers Program which launched in 2018. The program recognises people and places of historical and cultural importance, as recommended by the local community. Each year Council will fund and install up to five new historical markers and invites the community to submit nominations.
Is there a historic person, or place in Georges River you would like to nominate? Georges River Council - Historical markers nominations are open until 11 May 2025.
About the Australian Heritage Festival:
The Australian Heritage Festival runs from Friday 18 April – Sunday 18 May. This year’s theme is Unearthed – revealing the past, bringing to light lesser-known histories and stories, and unearthing knowledge to empower younger generations as custodians of culture and tradition.
Accessibility Information:
Georges River Libraries is committed to providing inclusive library services and programs. Please email library@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au or note down your requirements or support needs in your event registration.