“There is a saying that if the dust of Dubbo gets under your feet, it doesn’t let you go.”
STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS
In Dubbo on Tubba-Gah Country, Australian women from cultures all around the world came together to share stories, commonalities, and connection through two storytelling workshops.
We were welcomed to country by Aunty Sandra Riley at the Dubbo Local Aboriginal Land Council and from there we celebrated diversity, creativity, and the power of women’s creative voices.
Together we explored the town of Dubbo, including time by the Wambuul/Macquarie River, and expressed our shared history and perspectives as women.
It was a joyful space to listen and learn from each other, to spark new friendships, and to begin writing the stories we want to tell — stories that speak to who we are, the diverse places we come from, and our own creative journey.
LIVE AND UNLEASHED!
What a night! The power of community, the magic of creativity, and the joy of cross-cultural storytelling lit up Dubbo at What’s Your Story? Live and Unleashed!
The evening began with a stunning Welcome to Country by the Talbragar Aboriginal Dancers in Macquarie Street — their breathtaking performance drew in a local crowd, who joined hands in a moving circle of dance. We were honoured to welcome Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Irene Peachey from Dubbo Local Aboriginal Land Council to the event.
From there, the celebration continued upstairs at The Exchange, where stories workshopped from women across Dubbo were brought to life by talented actors Kalina Davis and Haya Arzidin, with an evocative original soundscape by Elizabeth Jigalin set against the Voices of Women Story Cloth backdrop.
We wrapped up with a dynamic panel talking about diversity and creativity, featuring three incredible women — writer Aarti Betigeri, Oriscon leader Gargi Ganguly, and First Nations writer and cultural consultant Shannon Barnes — led by MC, VOW Artistic Director Lliane Clarke.
The Story Cloth backdrop is a living collaged response to the workshops. It’s been made by women in workshops at Sambandha Connections Ryde, Newcastle Writers Festival and What’s Your Story? Dubbo… so far.
The event was an unforgettable celebration of women’s voices, community, creativity and our shared diverse history.
CREDITS
The script was written by Abrar Elnawam, Anu Khadka, Anya Koirala, Erifili Davis, Felicia Shannon, Gargi Ganguly, Loubna Taleb, Patricia Strahorn, Salam Taleb. A special thank you to Shannon Barnes for contributing her short story, called Untitled. The stories were arranged by Lliane Clarke, Clementine Anderson, Elizabeth Jigalin, Haya Arzidin and Kalina Davis. Thank you to Aunty Irene Peachey for her participation at the Dubbo Local Aboriginal Land Council, and to the support of Khaleb Tabel Connecting to Communities Dubbo, Gargi Ganguly Oriscon Dubbo and Erifili Davis Studio 138. Thank you RDA Orana for The Exchange.
Artistic Director: Lliane Clarke
Original Music, Soundscape and Piano: Elizabeth Jigalin
Assistant Producer: Clementine Anderson
Community Co-Producer: Shannon Barnes
Read by: Haya Arzidin
Read by: Kalina Davis
Guest Speakers: Aarti Betigeri, Gargi Ganguly, Shannon Barnes.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
This Multicultural Grassroots Initiative received grant funding from the Australian Government and support from the Carla Zampatti Foundation. Thank you to our community partners Connecting Community Services Dubbo, ORISCON DUBBO and Studio 138, RDA Orana and Dubbo Local Aboriginal Land Council.
