Centre for Stories

Tyler Deakin-Thomas is a proud Ballardong Noongar and English man. His story reflects on his journey of self-discovery, and navigating life as a queer trans-masculine person in our society. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: First Stories, Solid Connections is a collection of truth-telling stories from First Nations peoples across Western Australia and listening and learning reflections from diverse non-Indige...

Jaqueline Pelczar is a Polish, Austrian and Burgher Sri Lankan woman who reflects on her family history and her grandmother’s immigration story. She explores the intergenerational impacts of the White Australia Policy, white privilege and Sri Lanka’s history of colonisation. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous...

Katrina Kell is a writer and visual artist committed to sharing the truth of her colonial legacy. She reflects on how appearing as a witness at the Yoorrook Justice Commission in Naarm was a small way to make amends for her sea-captain ancestor's role in facilitating the 1834 invasion of Gunditjmara Country. This illegal settlement led to 20 years of warfare, land dispossession, and genocide in wh...

Uncle Clive Morrison is a Noongar Elder who was born in Narrogin. Through his songs and stories, he reflects on his experiences navigating the world as a Noongar man and shares deeply personal reflections on his experiences with alcoholism and as a member of the Stolen Generations. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Ind...

Nicola Paris established CounterACT in 2012 and has extensive experience training people in civil resistance and grassroots campaigning. She reflects on the power of people working together to protect Country, sharing her experiences of community activism and the campaign to protect the Beeliar Wetlands in Perth. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of sto...

Kristy Weston is a Bibbumun, Naaguja, Wardandi and Whadjuk woman who reflects on her Blak identity, motherhood and her journey of finding her place within community and culture. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that were shared in the backyards of heritage buildings all around Walyalup/Fremantle...

Michael Pauly is a non-Indigenous man who reflects on his meaningful friendship with Aboriginal man Harry Penrith. Michael shares how Harry’s stories, wisdom and friendship had a profound impact on his life, leading him to welcome Harry into his family and home. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians...

Tarita Atkinson is a non-Indigenous woman who has lived in Western Australia since the age of six. She reflects on her childhood at Mogumber Mission, which she remembers as fun and carefree, and the gradual realisation that others who shared that time and place carried profoundly different memories and experiences. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of s...

Lakshmi Kanchi is an emerging prize-winning Indian Australian poet and storyteller with a passion for making poetry accessible. She reflects on the voices and stories that have historically been hidden in Australia and challenges idea about which stories are considered ‘Australian’ today. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and...

Leanne Woods is a Whadjuk and Wongi woman with family connections to the Ballardong region. She shares her experiences of racism in the workplace and reflects on the challenges of navigating professional spaces as an Aboriginal woman. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that were shared in the back...

John Mogridge is a Noongar man from Bibbulmun Boodja, with family connections to Yamatji and Yawuru heritage. John is reading a story from Wirrin Waangkinini, a book produced during workshops funded by Indigo Junction. In this story, John speaks to his deep love for family and reflects on the strength, guidance and influence of his Elders and parents. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling S...

Rueben Hayden-Nelson has connections to Whadjuk, Ballardong and Njaki-Njaki Country. He reflects on the intergenerational impacts of the Stolen Generations and the challenges of navigating disconnection and identity. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that were shared in the backyards of heritage...

Matt Fatnowna is a queer, neurodiverse Yuwi and South Sea Islander young person, born in North Queensland. Having moved frequently throughout their life, Matt reflects on their relationship with place, identity and belonging, and what it means to search for a sense of ‘home’ when no single place quite holds that meaning. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collectio...

Caterina Ciraulo is a proud Ballardong and Yamatji woman with Italian heritage, raised with a large close knit family where storytelling and culture, were always apart of her life. She is also a mother to two daughters with her amazing husband who is supportive of her passion for Community and family. Her story was written in honour of her Nanna Maureen, reflecting her love for her Nanna and her p...

Airevbowan (John) Olaghere is a Perth-based writer and migrant to Boorloo from Nigeria. John reads two poems he wrote while participating in the Solid Connections program here in Boorloo. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: First Stories, Solid Connections is a collection of truth-telling stories from First Nations peoples across Western Australia and listening and learning reflections from diverse non-Indigeno...

Lakshmi Kanchi is an Indian-Australian poet and author. Her poem speaks to themes of migration, belonging, and connection to Country. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: First Stories, Solid Connections is a collection of truth-telling stories from First Nations peoples across Western Australia and listening and learning reflections from diverse non-Indigenous people. Made possible with funding from Lotterywest...

Leanne Woods is a proud Whadjuk & Wongi woman, with family connections to the Ballardong region. Leanne’s story speaks about her experiences of racism within the workplace. She hopes sharing her story with others will make a difference. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: First Stories, Solid Connections is a collection of truth-telling stories from First Nations peoples across Western Australia and listening a...

Vanessa Corunna is a proud Whadjuk Ballardong Palkyl woman with deep cultural connections to both desert and river peoples. She is dedicated to sharing her lived experiences, cultural knowledge, and the importance of listening to Country with others. Her short story is one of strength, cultural pride, and a commitment to ensuring the vibrant legacy of Nyungar traditions continues to thrive for gen...

Ellen Quach is a Perth-born storyteller of Vietnamese Chinese descent. Cavorting as a mother of two, and corporate team lead by day, and artist by night, her recent memoir work has been featured in several published anthologies. She finds mindfulness in poetry, painting and journalling, which has been fundamental in her recent healing journey. Ellen shares her journey from receiving a life-changin...

This is Liz Reed ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Funded by the City of Armadale, Humans of Armadale is the third series of podcasts about Community Volunteers in the Humans of Armadale series showcasing the diversity of City of Armadale residents. Exploring why they choose to volunteer in their local community, the participants engaged in interviews with Jacqueline Kelly, sharing their love for the City of...

This is Ken Brown ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Funded by the City of Armadale, Humans of Armadale is the third series of podcasts about Community Volunteers in the Humans of Armadale series showcasing the diversity of City of Armadale residents. Exploring why they choose to volunteer in their local community, the participants engaged in interviews with Jacqueline Kelly, sharing their love for the City of...

This is Patricia Merritt ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Funded by the City of Armadale, Humans of Armadale is the third series of podcasts about Community Volunteers in the Humans of Armadale series showcasing the diversity of City of Armadale residents. Exploring why they choose to volunteer in their local community, the participants engaged in interviews with Jacqueline Kelly, sharing their love for the...

This is June Copely ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Funded by the City of Armadale, Humans of Armadale is the third series of podcasts about Community Volunteers in the Humans of Armadale series showcasing the diversity of City of Armadale residents. Exploring why they choose to volunteer in their local community, the participants engaged in interviews with Jacqueline Kelly, sharing their love for the City...

This is Jeffery Green ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Funded by the City of Armadale, Humans of Armadale is the third series of podcasts about Community Volunteers in the Humans of Armadale series showcasing the diversity of City of Armadale residents. Exploring why they choose to volunteer in their local community, the participants engaged in interviews with Jacqueline Kelly, sharing their love for the Cit...

Lakshmi Kanchi is an emerging, prize-winning Indian Australian poet and storyteller on a mission—to make poetry accessible. She is the author of “Lakesong”, her debut poetry collection, published by Centre for Stories, and has been published in several journals and anthologies. Lakshmi shares how her life began again while sitting and writing by the stained glass windows of the beloved Heritage Ho...