PRESIDENTS REPORT 2024   - Christine Carlton

Over the last year, the Australian Storytelling Guild NSW has organised and hosted numerous activities in-person and online. Members, their friends, guests, and visitors from interstate and overseas have enjoyed the hospitality and dedication of our committee members, who have provided excellent opportunities for skills development, mentoring, networking, and storytelling performances. 

Additionally, we have fostered international connections and collaboration in highlighting the power and relevance of Oral Storytelling. …..

Listen to Caroline Welkin’s interview with Dee Palanisamy where she tells an Indian folktale where a woman knows a story and a song, but never shares them. They escape her and take their revenge, turning themselves into a coat and a pair of shoes.

Listen to Caroline Welkin’s interview with Jo Henwood where she tells a short Australian historical story that captures an account of what happened to convicts who committed further crimes in the Sydney Penal Colony and the warning for other convicts.

Interviews that spotlight Australian Storytellers members.

Listen to Caroline Welkin’s interview with Christine Carlton where she tells a cautionary folktale about one woman’s passion for listening to stories.

I met Barbara early in 1997 at the NSW Storytelling Guild’s Conference held at Macquarie University. We were new members of the Guild, and keen to learn about the art of Oral Storytelling. We continued to meet every month at the Guild’s monthly workshops held at the Rozelle Writers Centre. We started telling our stories and discussed the effects our stories had on the audience and ourselves.
Barbara had a wonderful voice for Storytelling with her soft Scottish accent, and her imaginative, descriptive expression. Everyone loved listening to Barbara tell stories from all over the world. Barbara was a Librarian, so had many resources from which to discover intriguing stories.
Barbara told stories in Schools, Retirement villages, at Church and with her husband Malcolm and his group of Barbershop singers.
Barbara suffered the deepest sadness any parent can suffer with the loss of her first daughter to cancer. Barbara was a devout Christian, and her deep faith helped her to keep her faith and love for Malcolm and Lee to guide her through life's tragic effects. Barbara suffered many illnesses which she fought and overcame.
Her love of Storytelling and its important influences on the audience assisted her to face life bravely and with determination.
Barbara was a highly respected and treasured member of the Storytelling Guild for many years. She served on the executive committee bringing her experience and passion to forwarding the work of the Guild. She will also be fondly remembered for her famous pikelets and delicious soups which she brought to many of our gatherings
Barbara will be missed by all our members and all her friends.
Vale dear Barbara. Rest in Peace

Sue Alvarez
Life Member, Australian Storytelling Guild. NSW
OAM

During our Zoom Gathering for the AGM on Saturday, July 29th we started the day with some creative storytelling from participants. It is interesting what can be revealed about people when we shared 'Two truths and a lie' and creative explanations of various object gifts. Good fun and networking was further developed when everyone shared a storytelling tip that has improved their skills as oral storytelling performers. There were some little gems of wisdom.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2023   - Christine Carlton

The past 12 months seen many activities organised and hosted by the Australian Storytelling Guild NSW. Members, their friends and guests as well as interstate and international visitors have enjoyed the hospitality and hard work of committee members who have organised quality opportunities for skills development, networking and storytelling performance.

The major event that took a lot of time and energy in preparation was:-

Weaving Stories Together- Sydney International Storytelling Conference – GIVING VOICE TO OUR STORIES  JUNE 2- 4 WITH  2 Pre-conference Masterclasses— Convenors - Christine Carlton, Kiran Shah

• Attendees came from throughout Australia including

Imagine a settlement of storytellers. A world of tales gathered in one place, sharing stories from their homes, their nations, and their hearts. Changing the world story by story. Some bring perspectives on peace, some bring lessons from history, journeys and transitions, personal anecdotes, culture, faerie folk. Hearts lift, smiles radiate, skills build in every workshop. This incredible conference was so welcomed back to a heart of Sydney by the Australian Storytelling Guild, New South Wales.

Once again, the story quilt was hung, the weaving began, and moments were woven into one amazing event

Interviews that spotlight Australian Storytellers members.

Listen to Christine Carlton’s interview with Caroline Welkin where she tells a story she has loved since her youth.

On the third Wednesday of the month, our home routine stops.

We do not dine together. Each of the two men with whom I live (husband and son) know that to interrupt me between around 7.15pm and 9.00pm is temping fate! Microphone tested, headphone checked! I am ready to zoom. I love it!

The Storytelling Zoom! I become engrossed in the tales told. Each theme elicits ….