Celebrating Stories Project Spreads the Word at Goldfields Library Launch

Launch: Friday 21 February, 5 – 6pm (free), Goldfields Library, Hargreaves St, Bendigo

A unique collaborative project was undertaken by students in the VCE Media and Bridging Unit 2 subjects during 2019. The Celebrating Stories Project offered the opportunity for young people with diverse backgrounds to celebrate and share their stories around the themes: First Impressions, Sharing Culture and Building Futures.

In their final Bridging Unit 2, Speaking and Listening Task, students met with community mentors to present and share aspects of their stories. Students offered mentors a glimpse of their life experiences through the presentation and reading of their individually constructed narratives.

VCE Media Unit 2 students worked collaboratively with the Bridging students to construct and design feature articles. They filmed and photographed aspects of the project and designed colourful presentations based on the stories written by the Bridging students.

This was showcased last November and recently St Mary’s staff were treated to an impressive and moving preview in the art department. Principal Brian Turner said “They have grown and learnt so much and yet have so much to offer us about life and grace.”

The exhibition will be installed in the Goldfields Library for a free public launch on Friday 21 February, which will be a fabulous opportunity to showcase the students’ potential. Lucy Mayes from the Goldfields Library Corporation has extended a warm invitation to all members of our community:

“We would be delighted if you could join us for the launch of an exhibition of posters created by students from diverse cultural backgrounds from Catherine McAuley College for their recent Celebrating Stories project. The launch is on Friday 21 February from 5pm-6pm. Free entry, but please register to assist with numbers.

“We will also be taking the opportunity to launch a short Welcome to your library video which we have made in partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo as part of our Inclusive Multicultural Libraries Project. There will also be stories, performance and celebration from the City of Greater Bendigo multicultural community.”

The collaborative Celebrating Stories project offers an opportunity for young people with diverse backgrounds to celebrate and share their stories with the community. The process strengthened relationships and understandings, whilst empowering participants to discuss their experiences and stories in an honest and sincere manner. The sessions aimed to shine a light on the courage, strength and hope of the newest members of our community and also on the strength and humanity that comes from empowering community partnerships. We are very grateful to the Goldfields Libraries staff for their ongoing support of the project and for providing a public space for students to showcase their work.

Ms Dianne Hill and Mr Hector Miller