
The Stories of Our Town films received a wonderful accolade from the National Trust. At the 2022 Heritage Awards they received a “Highly Commended” acknowledgment for their services to Education and Interpretation.
The Nomination
The University of Newcastle Library nominated Chit Chat von Loopin Stab and Tony Whittaker, the creators of the Stories of Our Town Series, and their team of collaborators involving:
- the Port of Newcastle,
- The University of Newcastle’s Special Collections and GLAMx Lab in the Auchmuty Library;
- The City of Newcastle, Newcastle Museum and Newcastle Public Library;
- The Lost Newcastle Facebook network,
- NBN Television,
- ABC Newcastle,
- Real Film Festivals,
- Newcastle Herald and
- Carnivore Films.
The films celebrate the amazing stories of Newcastle and its historic Port.
Stories of Our Town picked up on Foxtel Binge and NITV


This good news comes hot on the heels that the Stories of Our Town film Fortress Newcastle: Life Under Threat was picked up by Foxtel Binge for Anzac Day and scheduled to run for four years. Foxtel Binge have also picked up the Star Hotel Riot film. SBS Television has also selected the Stories of Our Town Lycett and Wallis film for their NITV.
Stories of Our Town Public Screenings
Over the past 18 months the Stories Of Our Town team have conducted 14 public screenings in Military Forts, Museums, Art Galleries, Pubs, libraries and even a former Mess Hall at Rathmines.
City Of Newcastle Promote Community Grants Through Stories of Our Time Collaboration
The Stories of Our Town was also chosen by Newcastle’s Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes to encourage community groups to apply for their share in 1 million dollars of grants and scholarships being offered by the City of Newcastle.

The Stories of Our Town Project is a series of documentary films that tell Newcastle’s key historic stories through Novocastrian eyes and points of view. The Department of Regional NSW Newcastle Port Community Contribution (NPCC) fund and City of Newcastle has provided funding, and is a great partnership between the film makers, the University of Newcastle, and Newcastle’s major Cultural Institutions and community organisations.
You can see them all here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFr0o5nIRF46pnQOkLOo1mw/videos
More information on the Stories of Our Town here:
https://hunterlivinghistories.com/category/stories-of-our-town/
Wonderful recognition for simply great work. Bravo to all.