The Hills Creative Alliance team are working with Cameron Semmens, a professional author and book designer, to collect memories of the 2021 storm and its aftermath, for a community archive project that will result in a book and the permanent archiving of stories.
This is funded by Yarra Ranges Council and the book will go on sale at local outlets.
The project is aimed at capturing the experiences of those who experienced the devastating storm and its aftermath.
Only some of the stories will be chosen to be published in the book, but all stories submitted will become part of an official community archive of the event.
People may also have photographs, paintings, poetry or other ways they recorded this exceptional event.
Over the next year the Hills Creative Alliance will be working with the Yarra Ranges Archives in Lilydale, as well as the State Archives and local historical societies and others to ensure that stories of the storm are recorded and accessible in the future.
The call for stories is for 300 words maximum, with up to three photos to accompany your words.
Send them to cam@webcameron.com by 25 November, or you can attend one of the community story sharing and writing sessions, facilitated by Cameron Semmens, over the next month at various venues.
Please check www.hillscreativealliance.com for details or email HCA Secretary, Liz Millman: lizmillman@yahoo.co.uk.
The Hills Creative Alliance, which was set up in the wake of 2021 storm disaster, has supported a range of a community activities since then.
There are creative arts initiatives underway currently, including ‘Stories of the Giants’ that are aimed to support those who experienced the storm and its aftermath, as well as a consultation by one of the Deakin University teams who are exploring ways to improve communications in communities vulnerable to future disasters.
The Hills Creative Alliance has also restarted Community Focus Friday sessions at Sassafras Hall each Friday morning from 10.30am, where the kettle will be on and there will be opportunities to chat.
Some folks may be interested to share their stories of the storm, and there will be some volunteer support for the IT challenges some folks may have.
For more information contact HCA Secretary, Liz Millman: lizmillman@yahoo.co.uk
