The Stories of our Town Film Project is back doing what they do best; capturing the history of Newcastle as told by the people who lived it.
Building on Success
Over the last four years, Stories of Our Town have created 19 original films about the Hunter region.
Five of the longer films have been picked up by national streaming networks (Foxtel/Binge & SBS/NITV) and in 2022 the National Trust of Australia recognised these films for their Contribution to Education & Interpretation.
The New 2024 Series in Production
Late 2023 and all through 2024, a new series of films will be released thanks to a grant from Heritage NSW.
They will include:
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Whibayganba: The Story of Nobby’s Headland
“It’s our Eiffel Tower, our Harbour Bridge, our Statue of Liberty, and its history is more fascinating to us than all three. From its geological formation and Indigenous mythology as an island to becoming a man-made headland. In the mid 19th century its imminent destruction became Australia’s first environmental campaign, saved by the saviour of an English Prince.”
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Shipwrecks of Newcastle
“Newcastle Harbour has always been a “working harbour”, but after the discovery of Coal by the Europeans in 1790s things escalated quickly. With such great volumes of shipping came shipwrecks and Newcastle’s coast and harbour became littered with them, sometimes stacked two high. The images of these shipwrecks are now iconic and names like The Adolphe, Susan Gilmoure, Sygna and Pasha Bulker are deeply ingrained in our folklore and identity. This is a perfect opportunity to collaborate with Newcastle Library who are in possession of thousands of images from The Maritime Museum and bring this story to life.”
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Val Blackett: Kindness, Valour and Humour.
“While making Fortress Newcastle we interviewed the fabulous Val, an engaging 97 year old storyteller with the voice of an old Hollywood actress. For over an hour she stunned us with jaw dropping stories about Newcastle and Stockton during the war, most of which was too much for Fortress Newcastle. She talked with a fervour about winning dance competitions at the town hall and the generosity of the people of Stockton. She ended the interview with the tale of her working a full shift on guard at Fort Wallace while unaware she had a bullet in her skull. She’d makes for fascinating watching. Val, now in her 99th year, protected Newcastle as a “Gunner” stationed in Stockton in WW2. Her memories of Newcastle during that time are nothing short of remarkable and sometimes hysterical.”
Further Films in Pre-Production: On Wine Country
In addition to the Heritage NSW films, pre-production has already begun on a larger film documenting the fascinating history of the region’s Wine Country. It’s a dense story that will be told from all sides and it’s hope that it will find an international audience.
Further Films in Pre-Production: Photographer Ralph Snowball
The Stories of Our Town Project is also raising funds for a film on the stunning photographic work of Ralph Snowball. Snowball extraordinary glass negatives capture many facets of Novocastrian life in the late19th/early 20th centuries.
Thanks to the Sponsors
Stories of Our Town would also like to thank all of our sponsors; corporate, government and private. Thank you for understanding the importance of preservation.
If you would like to become a sponsor please contact glenndormand@gmail.com