Yesterday morning a group of seniors made their various ways to the Campbelltown Library at Newton, heading for the Local History Room, where the history of this area of metropolitan Adelaide nestles into the foothills of the Mt Lofty Ranges.
Two trained volunteers greeted each member of the group at the door, helped them to select a seat around the gracious old oak table, the original Council table for the local elected councillors to gather around the mayor.
Surrounded by a myriad of memorabilia from the district, originally settled by hard working farmers who grew the fruit and vegetables in the rich alluvial black soil from the Torrens River to supply colonial Adelaideans up until the 1980's, there was a lot of inspiration for the group to absorb.
John and I rushed to our inaugural Life Story Circle group to be greeted by smiles and a hubbub of friendly chatter and we set the few steps in place to start the group. Seated in mayoral chair (throne?) I called for order and we got underway, recording a story from each member and scanning their accompanying story.
All stories were related to the same theme and, magically, each and every story was different - drawing quick gasps or quiet laughs from the other members. Bill, our 95 year old member had everyone hanging on his every word as he recalled his story which he told in a clear and easy manner, a born racconteur!
Yesterday's talking photos have been up-loaded and I invite you to listen to Australia's living history - told by the people who lived those lives, in their own words, in their own voices.
This has been my dream, which has finally emerged into reality
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