Bill Adlam was born at and grew up in Merredin, Western Australia. Merredin is situated on the land of the Njaki Njaki people… but Bill didn’t know this growing up. In this story, he shares his journey of discovering the dark history of his home town and that the past isn’t often so far away as we think it is.

Content Warning: These stories may include triggering content for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. If you’re struggling while listening to this story, please don’t hesitate to connect with 13 YARN on 13 92 76 and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander crisis supporter.  

ABOUT THE COLLECTION: 

Truth Telling in Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that were shared in local resident’s backyards all around Walyalup/Fremantle. The stories were reflections about Australia's shared colonial history and imagining a better future toward reconciliation. These stories were produced in partnership with and made possible by generous funding from the City of Fremantle. Find out more about their reconciliation journey and truth telling program at www.fremantle.wa.gov.au. 

To support Centre for Stories in helping more important truths to be told and share, please consider donating or partnering with us. You can find out more about Centre for Stories at www.centreforstories.com. 

This episode was narrated and produced by Luisa Mitchell from Centre for Stories. Original music and sound engineering by Mason Vellios. Live recording by Cobie Mason. 

Truth Telling in Walyalup: Bill Adlam

Mariela Espino Zuppa lives in Walyalup/Fremantle but is originally from Mexico. Her work aims to bridge divides—between ‘here’ and ‘there’, and ‘us’ and ‘them’—fostering curiosity, connection, and systems of reciprocal care. In this episode, she shares her journey emigrating to the USA and later, Australia. Her deep desire to find a place she could belong to, where she would finally be accepted, is confronted by Australia’s difficult past.

ABOUT THE COLLECTION: 

Truth Telling in Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that were shared in local resident’s backyards all around Walyalup/Fremantle. The stories were reflections about Australia's shared colonial history and imagining a better future toward reconciliation. These stories were produced in partnership with and made possible by generous funding from the City of Fremantle. Find out more about their reconciliation journey and truth telling program at www.fremantle.wa.gov.au. 

To support Centre for Stories in helping more important truths to be told and share, please consider donating or partnering with us. You can find out more about Centre for Stories at www.centreforstories.com. 

This episode was narrated and produced by Luisa Mitchell from Centre for Stories. Original music and sound engineering by Mason Vellios. Live recording by Cobie Mason. 

Truth Telling in Walyalup: Mariela Espino Zuppa

Vaughan Wayne is a Whadjuk Nyungar man with connections to Yued and Ballardong country. He reflects on a haunting childhood memory of a shag, or cormorant, covered in oil by the Derbarl Yerrigan/Swan River.

ABOUT THE COLLECTION: 

Truth Telling in Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that were shared in local resident’s backyards all around Walyalup/Fremantle. The stories were reflections about Australia's shared colonial history and imagining a better future toward reconciliation. These stories were produced in partnership with and made possible by generous funding from the City of Fremantle. Find out more about their reconciliation journey and truth telling program at www.fremantle.wa.gov.au. 

To support Centre for Stories in helping more important truths to be told and share, please consider donating or partnering with us. You can find out more about Centre for Stories at www.centreforstories.com. 

This episode was narrated and produced by Luisa Mitchell from Centre for Stories. Original music and sound engineering by Mason Vellios. Live recording by Cobie Mason. 

Truth Telling in Walyalup: Vaughan Wayne

Centre for Stories is a vibrant, inclusive literary arts and cultural organisation based in Perth, Western Australia. We use storytelling to inspire social cohesion and improve understanding of diverse communities. We cultivate stories that inspire thought, spark empathy and challenge intolerance, with a focus on empowering people whose experiences and perspectives are often marginalised.

Truth Telling in Walyalup: Vaughan Wayne

Centre for Stories

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