Last night (2 May 2024) two of the latest films in the Stories of Our Town series: Whibayganba: The Story of Nobbys Headland and Val Blackett: Kindness, Valour and Humour were launched at the Thirsty Messiah Brewery in Broadmeadow.
Whibayganba is the original First Nations Aboriginal name of Nobbys, Newcastle’s natural symbol and icon.
For the first time on film, the biography of Nobbys Whibayganba spanning 255 million years has been told.
Val Blackett: Kindness, Valour and Humour features the wartime experiences of a teenage gunner stationed at Newcastle and Stockton. It is the twentieth film produced by the Stories of Our Town team.
Carol Duncan speaking to her Lost Newcastle Crowd at Launch of Stories of Our Town Whibayganba and Val Blackett films at the Thirsty Messiah Brewery – 2 May 2024
“It’s our Eiffel Tower”
It is the 21st Stories of Our Town film produced by local film makers Chit Chat von Loopin Stab and Tony Whittaker, in close collaboration with Newcastle’s cultural institutions, Aboriginal scholars, academics, historians and wider communities.
“It’s our Eiffel Tower, our Harbour Bridge, our Statue of Liberty, and its history is more fascinating to us than all three,” they said
They turned their lens to Newcastle’s most recognisable icon, Nobbys Whibayganba Headland and according to them “it’s been a wild and fascinating ride.”
How to tell a 255 million year story in 31 minutes
So, how do you tell the 255 million year story in 31 minutes?
“You get EVERYONE involved.” – said Chit Chat (a.k.a. Glenn Dormand)
Stories of Our Town Film Maker Tony Whittaker and Emeritus Professor John Maynard at Whibayganba Nobbys
“We interviewed Aboriginal scholars, historians, geologists, surveyors, ship captains, archivists, Pro-surfers, a harbour master, and a former inhabitant and more to bring this story to life. It incorporates hundreds of archive images, animation, high end photography, personal photographs, drone footage and newspaper clippings to tell the story of the rock known to indigenous locals as Whibayganba.”
Nobbys Whibayganba Under a Blood Moon. [Photograph Courtesy of Eddie O’Reilly.]
The Port Authority of N.S.W. even lent them a vessel and crew to capture Nobbys from the water at sunset.
The community support has been overwhelming with hundreds of personal shots being emailed to us.
Breakwater and Nobbys, Newcastle N.S.W. Postcard featuring walk along Macquarie Pier (Courtesy of the Nelly Bligh Collection, University of Newcastle)
Penny Cecil with Chit Chat and Tony Whittaker
A Love Letter From Newcastle to Nobbys Whibayganba
Nobbys, Newcastle, N.S.W., Australia [c.1890’s] (Courtesy of the Newcastle & Hunter District Historical Society Collection, University of Newcastle)This film has been described as “a love letter from Newcastle to Nobbys.”
Nobby’s/Whibayganba headland has had many names, but officially it is now dual named meaning you can call it by either its European or First Nations name.
Gionni Di Gravio OAM, Professor Ron Boyd of the University of Newcastle with Chit Chat von Loopin Stab (a.k.a. Glenn Dormand) at Nobbys Whibayganba
Respect for Whibayganba, the Original Name of Nobbys
If it is important for us to honour and never forget the ANZAC story, because it connects us with our European history with those whose sacrifice in battle safeguarded our homeland.
Then, it’s equally important to respect the ancient Indigenous history and name of Nobbys as part the story of Aboriginal people who loved and also protected and cared for this land.
We respect and honour it like we honour the Anzacs.
Chit Chat von Loopin Stab (a.k.a. Glenn Dormand) with Surfers Paul Parkes and Peter McCabe
This Story is for Newy
Most of the films in the Stories of Our Town try and capture a national or international audience.
This one is just for Newy, and we hope you love it.
Thank you to Port Authority of N.S.W. and Heritage N.S.W. for their financial support.
The Stories of Our Town Film Project has made 21 documentaries about Newcastle and the Hunter Region over the past 4 years. Five of these films have made it on streaming services (Foxtel/Binge/SBS/NITV).
Stories of Our Town see Local stories as being important National and in 2022 they were Highly Commended at The National Trust Heritage Awards for services to Education.
Simply fabulous to collate and present such a big and complex story! Congratulations on this significant achievement
Congratulations! Most definitely a very welcome cultural contribution.