Centre for Stories

🙋🏾 Tag your teacher mates!

This two-hour workshop focuses on the analysis and discussion of diverse companion texts to be used in creative writing classes in secondary schools.

Conducted by Rashida Murphy, the workshop will investigate writing pieces from local, culturally and linguistically diverse, and First Nations authors to aid in the teaching of mainstream literature and writing.

WHAT'S THE POINT?
To empower teachers to make creative writing more enjoyable, relatable, and more inclusive. The pieces being discussed in this workshop were carefully chosen to reflect a more accurate picture of Australia’s true multiculturalism.

WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR?
Teachers of creative writing in secondary schools. This workshop caters to a range of abilities, from a basic understanding of narrative to the capacity to experiment with language, form, and structure, thereby modelling students’ differing abilities.

HOW MUCH IS IT?
Tickets are $80. Tea and coffee provided.

Interested? More info and tickets: https://centreforstories.com/events/write-up-training/

Raf Gonzalez (short story and script writer, lover of film and video games) is hosting 'Off-Tangent: Imagination and Creative Sparks Workshop' on Thursday 29 August.

This is a workshop for anyone and everyone interested in writing, who is looking for a supportive space to share their work, brainstorm new ideas, and connect with a community of creatives.

We asked Raf a few questions about his creative process, and what you can expect from his workshop.

Tickets for 'Off-Tangent: Imagination and Creative Sparks Workshop' are available from $15, via the link in our bio.

A HUGE thank you to Ambelin Kwaymullina for generously chatting with our WA First Nations Writing Group members on Saturday, answering questions on writing, editing, publishing and industry tips, while also gifting copies of her new YA fiction “Liar’s Test” to everyone.

Available in book stores now, "Liar's Test" is described as “a gripping YA fantasy with a deadly contest to win a crown, a fierce heroine determined to right the wrongs done to her people, and a smouldering love story that could change everything…”

Our next First Nations Write Night is happening on 19 August, made possible with support from Spinifex Foundation. Facilitated by Nyungar women Casey Mulder and Luisa Mitchell. Free to attend via registration: https://centreforstories.com/events/first-nations-write-night-august-19/

Our Youth Program Coordinator, Nadia Heisler, and our Community Development Coordinator, Luisa Mitchell, dropped in at The Y HQ last week for an event hosted by Youth At Risk Network - YARN.

They chatted with youth at risk of homelessness, and shared our upcoming Spark program – a series of extracurricular creative workshops for young people aged 13-18 to express themselves in their own way, and pursue their creative dreams, whether it’s through poetry, filmmaking, oral storytelling, painting and more.

Young people at the event had the chance to write down their answers to “What is your story?” on the whiteboard and have a yarn with us.

We'll be sharing more updates about our Spark program over the coming weeks. Stay tuned if you're interested in finding out more about creative workshops for young people.

This workshop is perfect for first timers and new writers. It will give writers the chance to meet like-minded people, brainstorm new ideas and, most importantly, start writing!

Rafael Gonzalez is a writer and poet who provides support at DADAA for their writing workshops and receives mentorships. He has been published within the Los Angeles Review of Books, Journal, To Hold the Clouds anthology, DADAA and Different Lens. Anika Donnison sat down with Rafael to talk about what inspires his writing, how The Simpsons lead him to research Edgar Allen Poe, and his expertise in using MS Paint.

Tickets via pay-what-you-feel from $15. More info and bookings: https://centreforstories.com/events/off-tangent-imagination-and-creative-sparks/

📚✨ Where are they now? 📚✨

From Hot Desk Fellow ➡️ Award-Winning Poet

Our writing programs offer opportunities for emerging authors and poets to hone their craft. For Kaya Ortiz, this led to publication and winning a major award.

Kaya first got involved with Centre for Stories in 2019 after moving to Perth. They shared their oral story in our Forbidden Love project, and participated in our Side Walks festival. Soon after, Kaya participating in Writing Change, Writing Inclusion as a hot desk fellow. Over these 12 months, they developed their poetry collection while receiving support and guidance from Centre for Stories staff.

Five years later, Kaya has just taken out the Dorothy Hewett Award for that same poetry collection, Past and Parallel Lives, which will be published by UWA Publishing in 2025. We are delighted to witness Kaya's writing journey, which just keeps going from strength to strength.

Contact us to learn how our workshops and programs can help you share your story and develop your writing.

Happening TOMORROW is Poetry Mosaic!

Join us for an enchanting evening celebrating an array of poetic voices from our Ink & Echo monthly poetry meetup group. Be moved by the power of words and diversity of voices as emerging poets take the stage and astound you with their prowess at this beautiful gathering. This special event is presented as part of the Perth Poetry Festival 2024 and brought to you as a collaboration between Centre for Stories and WA Poets Inc - Perth Poetry Festival.

This event is best suited for anyone, and everyone interested in poetry, diverse representation, and discovering new and emerging voices. Whether you are a seasoned poet, a poetry enthusiast, or someone curious about the power of words, “Poetry Mosaic” offers something for everyone. Join us in unveiling a vibrant kaleidoscope of poetry and poetic voices!

Tickets $15: https://centreforstories.com/events/poetry-mosaic-august-13/

A big thank you to all of the storytellers who joined us for our Walyalup Truth-Telling Workshops at Walyalup Aboriginal Cultural Centre, which wrapped up on Sunday.

Over a series of workshops, storytellers were mentored by Ron Bradfield to shape and share their story of difficult truths and reimagined futures. This is part of City of Fremantle's initiative to acknowledge previously untold or unrecognised parts of their local histories in relation to Australia's relationship and history with First Nations people. We’re so pleased to be partnering with them to help bring these stories to light.

Stay tuned to hear more from these storytellers in City of Fremantle’s Backyard Truth Telling events happening in October and November.

Pictured: Ron Bradfield with storytellers and the Walyalup truth-telling timeline, created for these workshops.

Coming up next month is an exciting opportunity for First Nations writers who have an interest in creating children’s books and want to learn more about becoming an author.

Join Isobel Bevis – Wilman, Ballardong Noongar woman and published author – as she takes you through the fundamentals of writing your own children’s book, particularly for children under the age of 8 year’s old. This workshop is suited to any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person with an interest in children’s books, including bilingual books in their own languages. No prior writing or publication experience required.

Tickets are FREE but booking is essential. We are running this workshop for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only as part of our First Nations Writers WA Program, generously made possible thanks to Spinifex Foundation.

More info and tickets: https://centreforstories.com/events/children-book-writing-workshop/

“The doctors didn’t know what was wrong with me. I wondered if I was dying.”
“I suspect PACE is the instigator of one of the greatest tragedies of my life.”

Historically, the legitimacy of myalgic encephalomyelitis as an illness has been questioned, and patriarchy infiltration into the medical field has something to do with it. In the essay "Legitimately Ill", Sara Gingold shares the worst consequences of being disrespected by doctors and medical professionals, illustrating how the medical industry needs to change their male-centric system.

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Portside Review's Human Rights Essay Prize offers a large table of diverse stories ranging flavours from across the Indian Ocean, with writing from Perth, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, South Africa, Melbourne, and Sydney. Follow this link to read Sara's essay and much more: https://www.portsidereview.com/sara-gingold

Image by Paperlily Studio

📚✨ Where are they now? 📚✨

From Backstories Storyteller ➡️ to Youth Program Coordinator

For Nadia Heisler Walpole, sharing her story helped her reconnect with her biggest passion, and find roots in a new country.

She traveled from Brazil to Australia in 2011 without knowing a word of English. In Brazil, she was a journalist, so discovering Centre for Stories and participating in our "Forbidden Love" storytelling project was a game-changer. Nadia went on to perform her story at Backstories, Perth Festival, and with Community Arts Network (CAN).

Since then, Nadia has participated in writing competitions by the City of Rockingham and City of Armadale, winning first and third prizes. She also participated in our Writing Change, Writing Inclusion program, where she began work on her first novel, a romantic comedy.

Now, as the Youth Program Coordinator at Centre for Stories, Nadia helps young people in low socio-economic areas share their stories through spoken word and creative writing.

"What I appreciated most about this journey was that the Centre for Stories, long after the Forbidden Love series had ended, were always emailing me with other opportunities like events, speaking gigs and writing workshops. They never forgot about me."

Nadia's journey is testament to the transformative power of storytelling and the impact Centre for Stories has on individuals and communities. Contact us today to discuss how our workshops and programs can support you to share your story. Our online, self-paced oral storytelling training is also available via our website to help you kickstart your storytelling journey.

As part of his Dunlop Fellowship from Asialink, our Program Director of Writing and Publications, Robert Wood, attended the Canberra Leaders Summit. Over the course of three days last week, he met with ministers, ambassadors, and public service secretaries. With a cohort of fifty, Robert learnt about the geostrategic opportunities that exist for the arts in developing Asian capability. He also ate a very good gado gado at the Indonesian Embassy.

Join Khin Myint and Robert Wood to discuss the process of publication. With reference to Myint’s successful recent debut book "Fragile Creatures" (Black Inc. June 2024), they will discuss how to move from manuscript to release. Looking at residencies, agents, editing, publication and audience, the pair will be in conversation followed by a question and answer session. This event suits writers who are nearing completion of a book length work and want to understand the national publishing landscape.

Tickets via pay-what-you-feel from $15: https://centreforstories.com/events/in-conversation-khin-myint-and-robert-wood/

📣 ANNOUNCEMENT! 📣

Portside Review is seeking flash fiction and flash memoir submissions, open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers. This new prize is funded by Spinifex Foundation and Centre for Stories donors.

The prize is open to entries of flash fiction or flash memoir of 500 words or less. The prize has an open theme and will accept diverse forms and mediums of storytelling(e.g. oral recording, prose, hybrid poetry/prose).

Celebrating writing excellence, a selection of ten shortlisted entries will be published in a special edition of Portside Review in November 2024.

Applications open 1 August 2024 and close 15 September 2024 at 11:59pm Australian Western Standard Time.

Guidelines and applications: https://www.portsidereview.com/flash-prize

To celebrate the launch of Issue 13 of Portside Review, we're spotlighting an essay by Elaine Pratley.

"When sandwiches and fish feed peace" is an exploration of humanity through food. Drawing from her own childhood experience of communication through food and reflecting on times when food is hard to find, Elaine reminds us why breaking bread is essential to the building blocks of peace and understanding.

"I wonder: perhaps we are inextricably joined together by our guts? Through our acts of ingestion, digestion, and excretion, food returns to the earth it once grew from. And in our own deaths, we become part of that endless cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth. We are one because we eat! When we deny an Other food, we deny ourselves. When we feed an Other, we feed peace."

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Portside Review's Human Rights Essay Prize offers a large table of diverse stories ranging flavours from across the Indian Ocean, with writing from Perth, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, South Africa, Melbourne, and Sydney. Read Elaine's essay and much more: https://www.portsidereview.com/

Image by Paperlily Studio

An opportunity for emerging First Nations writers and storytellers to meet award-winning Palyku author and illustrator, Ambelin Kwaymullina, and ask her questions about writing, publishing and illustration. You will also receive a free copy of Ambelin’s upcoming YA fantasy novel ‘Liar’s Test’, generously donated by the author.

Ambelin Kwaymullina is a First Nations writer and illustrator who comes from the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Ambelin tells stories across a range of forms, including poetry, short stories, essays, young adult novels, and picture books. Ambelin is a previous winner of the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards and the Aurealis Award. Much of her work concerns Indigenous Futurisms.

Tickets are FREE but bookings are essential. We are running this workshop for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only as part of our First Nations Writers WA Program, generously made possible thanks to Spinifex Foundation.

More info and bookings: https://centreforstories.com/events/yarn-with-ambelin-kwaymullina/

✨ Where are they now? ✨

Storyteller ➡️ to Advocate

Catherine Eastman was one of the storytellers in our 16 Days, 16 Stories collection that we produced in 2019 for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, funded by the State Library of Western Australia. In this collection, Catherine shared her story about surviving violence, living for herself, and rewriting a childhood lacking love and respect.

Almost five years later, Catherine continues to draw upon her personal experiences to raise awareness about gender-based violence. She has organised rallies and had opportunities in storytelling, speaking, podcasts, and media. Excitingly, she's also writing a book.

We were pleased to catch up with Catherine to find out where she's at now, and how sharing her story gave her a sense of hope.

Catherine's journey is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and the impact Centre for Stories has on individuals and communities. Contact us today to discuss how our workshops and programs can support you to share your story. Our online, self-paced oral storytelling training is also available via our website to help you kickstart your storytelling journey.

The latest episode of our Story Hour podcast is out now! 🎙️

This month's theme is ROOTS. Our roots influence our values, our beliefs, and the way we navigate the world. In this episode, we delve into the journeys of individuals as they navigate the intricate process of connecting with, letting go of, or returning to their roots.

Featuring storytellers Judy Ann Edgar, Michael, Widi Astuti and Alex Watson.

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In our Story Hour podcast, we sift through our archives of stories from diverse individuals on what being human means to them. Here are the experiences of the sad, the wonderful, the terrible, and the mundane, all presented by unique voices that represent different parts of our community.

🎧 Don't miss out! Tune in now: https://soundcloud.com/centreforstories/story-hour-ep-7-roots

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📢 Sound engineering and original music by Mason Vellios. Narrated by Luisa Mitchell.

Are you planning to compete in the WA heats for the state finals of the legendary Australian Poetry Slam this year? If so, this workshop is for you!

During this two-hour workshop you will explore a range of poetic techniques, tips for performance, and be given the chance to rehearse your poem. Regardless of whether you are a first timer on stage or a slam poet aficionado, this workshop will assist you to transform your poem into a captivating performance. This is a safe and non-judgmental space where your voice is important so come along and amplify it.

Manveen Kaur Kohli is a British-Indian currently residing in Perth. She has performed her poetry at various events including, Neon Readings, Perth Poetry Festival, and Woman Scream. Manveen was a finalist in the Australian Poetry Slam (APS) state finals in 2020 and 2021. Her debut poetry collection, ‘We need to talk’ was released in May last year. Manveen currently works as a psychologist at a high school. Her passion for psychology and poetry stem from a mutual goal: to make a difference and empower people.

Tickets are pay-what-you-feel, from $15: https://centreforstories.com/events/when-the-word-speaks-workshop-with-manveen-kohli-2/

For the last few months, Walmajarri Yawuru artist, author and business owner, Joshua Button has been working alongside his mentor, Luisa Mitchell, to create new artworks and a screenplay for The Buttonverse – a project exploring different versions of himself from his past, present and future.

Development of these works have been supported by a grant from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, with support from My Place and Centre for Stories.

Pictured is Joshua and Luisa in the studio, as well as some snippets of Joshua's works.

Follow Joshua Button Enterprises for more info about Joshua’s art and business.



Photos: Carolina Furque

Big congratulations to Kobi Simpson, who was recently announced as one of the five winners for Griffith Review’s 2024 Emerging Voices Competition!

Chosen from over 300 entries by a judging panel, the winning writers share in a $20,000 prize pool, and their stories will appear in 2025 editions of the publication.

Kobi is a previous participant in Centre for Stories’ Writing Change, Writing Inclusion program. He is a young father, gardener, writer, and wannabe-luddite. His Nunga heritage, family, passion for strangeness, and ADHD hyper fixations compel him to write stories he hopes live and breathe.

Kobi’s winning story will be published in 2025. Congratulations Kobi!

More info: https://www.griffithreview.com/griffith-review-emerging-voices-competition/

📚✨ Where are they now? 📚✨

From Intern ➡️ Social Worker & Story Trainer

Discover the transformative power of storytelling with Centre for Stories' workshops, just like Jay Anderson did.

Jay began as an intern at Centre for Stories in 2017, working on a project for young LGBTQIA+ individuals from rural WA, a process he found incredibly rewarding and validating. He went on to publish several stories and spoke at various events before joining the team in a number of roles. He now supports the team as a story trainer, delivering oral storytelling workshops to community groups. Jay is a registered social worker, supporting men reintegrating into the community after prison. He highlights the strong influence of Centre for Stories in his decision to go into social work, pointing to the impact of our work in "providing a platform for voices that are systematically excluded from mainstream narratives and media".

Jay's journey is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and the impact Centre for Stories has on individuals and communities. Contact us today to discuss how our workshops and programs can support you to share your story. Our online, self-paced oral storytelling training is also available via our website to help you kickstart your storytelling journey: https://centreforstories.com/courses/the-art-and-science-of-storytelling/

Photo: Ovis Creative Productions

Something we hear a lot is: "It's just so hard to find the time to write!"

We know. Life is busy, and it can be hard to find opportunities to be creative. Sometimes having a regular time slot, in a space that's free from the distractions of home/work/family/pets is just the help we need.

Write Night is exactly that. It's one of our longest-standing events and the idea is simple: come, sit, and write. Aimed at those wanting distraction-free writing time in a safe and supportive environment, you can expect two forty-minute writing blocks (with prompts for those who need them), and a community of writers looking to hone their craft just like you. You may not always be happy with what you write during this time (and be honest, who ever really is at first) but your word count will increase!

Write Night happens fortnightly at Centre for Stories, and is facilitated by long-time Write Night facilitator and even longer-time attendee, Christopher Karsten. Tickets are $5 per person. BYO snacks and writing utensils (paper, pen, laptops, quill and scroll – whatever works for you).

The next Write Night is TOMORROW – Tuesday 23 July from 6pm. Sign up: https://centreforstories.com/events/write-night-23-july/

In partnership with Performing Lines WA, we are excited to announce Medina Dizdarevic as the next recipient of our Performance Maker Hot Desk Fellowship!

Medina Dizdarevic is an emerging Bosnian Muslim playwright based in Boorloo. She was a participant in Playwrights to the Front with Static Drive Co and Performing Lines WA Kolyang Lab cohort in 2021. She was the writer for "The Complete Show of Water Skiing" in Blue Room Theatre's Summer Nights season 2022 (PAWA winner for Outstanding Ensemble 2023) and developed her debut work "The Strangers" with Performing Lines WA and Black Swan State Theatre Company through the DLGSC Playwright Partnership Program. She is currently a part of FORGE, Black Swan’s Emerging Writers' Program.

During this fellowship, Medina will receive a dedicated desk at Centre for Stories, a $2000 stipend, and access to exclusive events and workshops. She will also attend networking events, interact with other writes, and receive tailored support from Centre for Stories and Performing Lines WA staff.

Judges applauded Medina's proposal to further develop her script "RE: TREAT", a comedy that follows two Muslim women who have been sent on a cultural sensitivity retreat in the Perth Hills.

Special mention to applicants Asha Cornelia Cluer and Roisin Wallace, who were highly commended by the judges.

This fellowship is made possible with generous support from Performing Lines WA's Kolyang program.

"The classroom radiated with so much joy, laughter, and curiosity when you taught. You pushed them just enough whilst taking care of their feelings and encouraging them to explore their creativity. You nurtured them while they developed wings to soar confidently in their writing. I am forever grateful."
– Adeline Nair, Year 9/10 English Teacher, Yule Brook College

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We believe that storytelling empowers young people to be the best versions of themselves. Our youth workshops are designed to support young people to build confidence and embrace creativity through creative writing and oral storytelling. We do this by providing young people with the skills and platform to share true stories about who they are and what matters to them.

We work primarily with young people aged 12-18 from under-resourced communities and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Our workshops are proven to improve participants’ overall social and emotional wellbeing, as well as developing communication skills, public speaking abilities and literacy. When working with schools, our programs also offer professional development opportunities for teachers.

Get in touch today to discuss how our workshops can support young people in your school or organisation to share their stories.

The winner of Portside Review's 2024 Human Rights Essay, "Singapore Will Always Be At War" by Kirsten Han, explores the harsh realities of Singapore's war on drugs.

In her work as an anti-death penalty activist, Han criticises Singapore's punitive approach to drug policy, revealing how it fosters societal callousness and dehumanises those entangled in the drug trade. She highlights the stories of individuals impacted by the death penalty and drug-related incarceration, emphasising systemic issues over personal failings. Han calls for a shift from punishment to compassion, urging Singapore to reconsider its stance and address the underlying causes of addiction and suffering.

Read the full essay: https://www.portsidereview.com/kirsten-han

Image: Paperlily Studio

Applications for the next round of Hot Desk Fellowships in our All Write program are open NOW until Sunday 4 August 2024. This program provides opportunities for emerging and mid-career writers who identify as CaLD and/or First Nations, and is suitable for writers who seek national and international recognition.

Swipe to find out more about the program and submission process. Applications and more info via the link in our bio.

All Write is made possible with funding from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and Centre for Stories Founders Circle All Write is a writing program offering opportunities for emerging and mid-career writers who identify as CaLD and/or First Nations.

“Centre for Stories trainers were wonderful, warm and welcoming – they worked hard to create a safe space and customised our experience to ensure people who were at different stages of readiness to share were able to participate. You can truly see how far everyone has grown in confidence over this past month. Thanks to the Centre’s training, the participants have been able to hit the ground running in their other advocacy projects, now prepared with the tools they need to create change in a safe, empowered way. I’m particularly happy to see one of these storytellers go on to work with Centre for Stories as a story trainer themselves – now able to support others with lived experience of homelessness to share their stories.”

Some wonderful feedback from Nicole Colman, Shelter WA's HOME Senior Project Officer, received following a series of storytelling workshops supporting people to share their lived experience of homelessness and home insecurity.

➡️ Get in touch today to chat about how Centre for Stories can support you or your organisation to use storytelling for social impact.

📚✨ Where are they now? 📚✨

From Emerging Writer ➡️ to Community Development Coordinator

Our storytelling workshops offer more than just skill-building. They open doors to new opportunities and lifelong connections. Just ask Luisa Mitchell.

After completing a writing residency at Centre for Stories, Luisa joined the team as our events program coordinator, and later as community development coordinator. She now runs storytelling and creative writing workshops for community groups and young people. Luisa has shared her own story in the “Hear Our Voice” collection, advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination. She has also contributed to place naming with Noongar Elders and co-founded the First Nations Writers WA program. Luisa was shortlisted for the Richelle Prize for Emerging Writers 2023 and the Liquid Amber Press Poetry Prize 2023, and received the ASAL/Copyright Agency Writer’s Fellowship 2023.

Luisa's journey is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and the impact Centre for Stories has on individuals and communities. Contact us today to discuss how our workshops and programs can support you to share your story. Our online, self-paced oral storytelling training is also available via our website to help you kickstart your storytelling journey: https://centreforstories.com/courses/the-art-and-science-of-storytelling/

Photo: Sophie Minnissale

"Being part of the program has given me a lot more confidence. I think before it, I never would've considered myself a writer."

Next up in our Heartlines series is writer, editor and storyteller Sam Leung.

Sam was one of the recipients in our mentoring program for Writing Change, Writing Inclusion. She has a background in events and marketing in the arts and education. She’s worked with organisations across the country, including the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.

In this interview, Sam talks about her pathway into writing, the books that have made an impact, and her mentorship experience. She also gives us a glimpse into the speculative fiction piece she's currently working on, set in a world where memories can be captured to lengthen lives.

Heartlines invites you to dive into Sam's writing journey and inspirations. Read the full interview: https://centreforstories.com/stories/heartlines/sam-leung/

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Applications are currently open for the second round of our hot desk fellowships as part of our All Write program. If you're inspired by Sam's story, and identify as a writer from a CaLD and/or First Nations background, consider applying today: https://centreforstories.com/announcing-all-write-hot-desk-fellowship-round-2/