Residents of the Wollondilly and Wingecarribee will have the opportunity to participate in a series of wellbeing and creative workshops to share their experiences of the 2019/2020 Green Wattle Creek and Morton Bushfires.
“Storytelling is an ancient and valuable art that extends around the globe,” says Patrick Nellestein, Director of Wollondilly-based River Road Creative Academy. “From campfires and dinner tables, to theatres and long drives, storytelling is ingrained within the essence of who we are, as we know that there is a story in all of us worth sharing.”
In partnership with Wildflower Holistic Services in Bargo, the ‘Stories Towards Regeneration’ project will enable community members to come together and participate in a series of wellbeing and creative workshops, as well as individual sessions to support residents to not only process and unpack their experiences, but also learn new creative and technical skills to produce their own story.
“Everyone has a story to tell,” says Wildflower Holistic Services Co-founder and Psychologist, Alexandra McCarthy. “Whether you are directly affected by the fires, know someone who was, or observed any aspect of the event including the efforts of fire and rescue, this is the space to transform your experiences and narrative into a creative expression.”
The project will be developed as a unique storybook of art, song, spoken word, painting, film, photography, and mixed media. A dedicated interactive website will be established so everyone will have an opportunity to see this project come to life.
This activity is supported by funding from SWSPHN – through the Australia Government’s PHN Program and is open to all ages and backgrounds. The project includes both Wellbeing and Creative Workshops. The Wellbeing Workshops will be about reflecting on and processing the effects of these events, and the Creative Workshops will be focused on supporting and teaching participants to produce and develop their own creative work that symbolises their story and experiences of the 2019/2020 Bushfires.
Event information:
Workshops kick off Monday 15th March, 6pm at Wildflowers Holistic Services, located U4/217 Great Southern Road, Bargo.
To find out more information head to the Facebook page.
To adhere to and manage COVID-19 regulations please sign up.
