We remember a friend, a dedicated member of our Storytelling Guild, and a woman of extraordinary warmth, generosity, and wit. Dianne gave so much of herself to our community, serving as past President, Treasurer, and Public Officer. She was always such a wonderful support, always ready with kind words of encouragement, a helping hand, and a wicked sense of humour….

Marrakech 3rd International Storytelling Festival took place in January this year.

Marrakech is truly magical. It does feel like stepping back in time. The big, famous square,  Jemaa El Fna  is a melting pot of cultures, sounds and smells. 

There, at the edge of the square, and right opposite the bustling labyrinth of the Medina's markets, close to snake charmers, acrobats, musicians, fruit juice and date stalls that defied gravity, stood an inviting large tent.

Congratulations to the 3 Australian storytellers who went to the 3rd International Storytelling Festival in Marrakesh, Morroco, to be part of a Guinness Book of World Records in continuous Storytelling
Over 100 tellers from 33 countries attended. Australian storytellers - Evita Story, Maysoun Bouga and Dee Palanisamy. 

Marrakech in Guinness World Record for Longest Storytelling Session

MARRAKECH, MOROCCO – January 25, 2025 – The Marrakech International Storytelling Festival has officially broken the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous storytelling session, completing an awe-inspiring 80 hours and 34 minutes of uninterrupted storytelling in the iconic Jemaa El-Fnaa Square.

This monumental achievement featured 100 storytellers from 33 countries who shared tall and small tales from a vast range of diverse cultures, reflecting the festival’s 2025 theme, Bahja (Joy).

One of the rules from Guinness required that each performance be ….

Would you like to offer your skills and enthusiasm?

We are preparing for the 2025 ‘Weaving Stories together’ Sydney International Storytelling Conference and are looking for volunteers with skills and experience in: 

• Seeking sponsorships and grants

• Advertising and promotion

• Seeking donations in kind e.g. wine, gifts, conference bags etc.

• Social media and communication technology 

• Particular experience with Squarespace and Mailchimp

Anyone with skills and experience to assist in the preparation and delivery of a quality International Storytelling Conference would be welcomed with open arms.

Pass on this request to others who may be looking to share their skills as a volunteer for a not-for-profit community storytelling organisation.

Contact:  Conference Convenors - 'Weaving Stories Together' - Sydney International Storytelling Conference.  storynsw@gmail.com

This is a call to all who love the art and practice of Oral Storytelling to put in a proposal for a workshop and/or performance and/or poster for the 'Weaving Stories Together' Sydney International Storytelling Conference June 6-8, 2025.

Theme ‘Vibrant Voices - Storytelling Across Generations and Cultures'.

Submission forms and information can be found at our website australianstorytellers.org.au/conference2025

We are looking forward to the in-person gathering of storytellers for a nourishing, playful weekend that focuses on developing storytelling skills and networking.

Start planning your trip to Australia.

Put the dates in your diary now!

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.