The Yarrawonga Mulwala Oral History Group brings people together to share memories, learn new skills and uncover the experiences that have shaped the district.
Group members Val Lawford, Pauline Lynch, Kay Reeves and Marg Ritchie recently spoke about their work and their hope that more volunteers will join their friendly team.
Pauline and Kay were among the group’s inaugural members when it began as a training workshop in 2008.
“We wanted to talk to older people who had been here for a long time and could give us an overview of what Yarrawonga was like and what they did,” Pauline said.
“We just think it is important to have a history.”
Coordinated by the Yarrawonga Mulwala Community and Learning Centre, the group has recorded more than 100 interviews, produced 51 digital stories, and transcribed and edited 53 audio interviews, with some of the material provided to the State Library of Victoria.
Projects have featured farming families affected by drought, Vietnam veterans, midwives and longstanding residents.
The group also worked with Yarrawonga College P–12 students to research former pupils who died during WWI.
One memorable interview featured Tommy Wright, whose family lived on Chinaman’s Island before Lake Mulwala was created.
“His house was virtually in front of where the Yacht Club is now,” Pauline said.
“He said it out of the blue, and we have a little map of what it was like.”
Each project offers something different where volunteers might meet a remarkable local resident, uncover a forgotten piece of history, work with old photographs or help turn an interview into a digital presentation.
Marg specialises in transcription, while other members conduct interviews, undertake research and prepare the finished stories.
This means volunteers can choose activities that suit their interests and abilities and with many more stories waiting to be recorded, the group would love to welcome new people.
“The problem is there are too many people to interview and not enough volunteers,” they said.
Previous experience is not required, as training and support are available.
Basic computer knowledge is helpful, but nobody is expected to know everything when they begin.
No-one is thrown in at the deep end without support so if you are interested, just come along, have a cup of coffee and try.
Joining offers the chance to make new friends, meet interesting local people and develop skills in interviewing, research, transcription, photography, audio editing and digital storytelling, all while helping preserve the community’s history.
Anyone interested in joining or nominating someone to be interviewed can contact the Yarrawonga Mulwala Community and Learning Centre at 1 Hargrave Court, Yarrawonga, on 03 5744 3911 or email community@ymclc.edu.au.
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