Three minute snippets tell stories of Drouin
The iconic and popular “Stories of Drouin” project will launch nine new stories of Drouin people and organisations in a presentation on Thursday afternoon.
The free presentation will be held at the Drouin Anglican Church Hall at 1pm for a 1.30pm start.
Offering a three-minute snippet of voice recordings together with projected images, “Stories of Drouin” continues to grow in popularity and standing. The previous event in May attracted a large crowd of about 70 people.
Amongst the stories to be featured in Thursday’s fifth presentation are the Colquhuon family, the Pretty family, the Proposch family, Robert Smith, Jane and Terry Marks, and Judy Farmer’s Australia Day address “If Only the Trees Could Talk”.
In addition, Peter Cusden will share the history of his family’s store and post office in the old Northern Junction Hotel in Drouin West, Brian Maunder will speak on the history of Drouin State/Primary School and John Atkins has detailed the history of the Drouin Fire Brigade.
Judy Farmer and Lynn Wells have worked tirelessly behind the scenes of “Stories of Drouin” and are excited to launch the next nine stories – taking their total to 41.
Many hours of research, recording and editing goes into each story as well as much convincing of some subjects and shared tears and cups of tea.
“We’re willing to do anything to get the story done,” said Ms Farmer.
“Once they get here and start talking, you’d be surprised,” added Ms Wells.
“When you start talking about family and those you love, it’s actually quite cathartic to share it with someone listening,” concluded Ms Farmer.
For some families, people who featured in the stories launched in 2015 and 2016 are no longer alive. However, their voices live on to tell their story.
Ms Farmer said common feedback was “thank goodness you recorded the story when you did. And that’s exactly why we do it.”
Volunteers are needed to assist with the annual community Christmas lunch.
A meeting will be held on Monday, November 27 for volunteers and people interested in assisting at this annual lunch.
The community Christmas lunch is held on Christmas day every year, giving people who don’t have families or other loved ones a place to go for Christmas lunch.
Volunteers will be needed on Christmas eve and Christmas day.
Volunteers are required to set up tables, assist in the preparation and serving of food and the cleaning up.
A meeting for interested people will be held on November 27 ay 2pm at the Uniting Church in Sutton St, Warragul. A second meeting will be held on December 11 at 2pm.
If you are interested in volunteering or attending the community Christmas luncheon, contact Peter Cusden (5622 1332).
Reflecting on the upcoming launch, Ms Farmer said the history of the Drouin State/Primary School was sure to interest a large number of past students, staff and parents. Brian Maunder, long-serving assistant principal, carried out enough research to come in and talk for 90 minutes.
She described the Pretty family of Jack, Lorna and Keith described as “living icons” of Drouin and “worth their weight in gold in telling it (their story) so well”. The Jindivick family store, telephone exchange and electricity connection as well as the old Jindi bus all feature.
By popular demand, Ms Farmer’s Australia Day talk has been added.
Looking to the future, Stories of Drouin will seeking further funding to record more iconic Drouin stories.
Ms Wells believes she has 10 more recordings in her whilst Ms Farmer is keen to make inroads into local schools utilising the recordings for educational purposes.
“It’s growing in popularity as more people are learning about it,” reflected Ms Farmer. “Of course everyone has a story. The most ordinary people have a story. It was hard to convince some people to do it. But every life is individual. Every life is interesting.”
“Stories of Drouin” is a partnership between Committee for Drouin, Drouin History Group and 3BBR.