In this episode, Gerrard Shaw, a Whadjuk Elder with connections to Yued and Ballardong country, reflects on the long journey Australia has been on toward truth telling, reflecting on key historical moments and his own experiences being impacted by the Stolen Generations.

Content Warning: These stories may include triggering content for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. So, 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.

In this collection, you will hear live recordings from people who spoke about difficult truths, hidden histories and reimagined futures, all reflections of their lived experiences of colonisation in Walyalup and beyond.  

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: Gerrard Shaw

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

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

Nandi Chinna had no real understanding of Aboriginal people or our colonial history until she moved to Walyalup/Fremantle as a young woman. After reading books and listening to Noongar elders, she began to feel uneasy about her own place in Australia – could she ever live here without a guilty conscience? This is her journey to finding belonging while acknowledging Aboriginal sovereignty.

Content Warning: These stories may include triggering content for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. So, 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.

In this collection, you will hear live recordings from people who spoke about difficult truths, hidden histories and reimagined futures, all reflections of their lived experiences of colonisation in Walyalup and beyond.

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: Nandi Chinna

Holly Story migrated to Perth, Australia as a ‘ten-pound pom’. Her ideas about Australia included expansive red spaces, kangaroos and Aboriginal people living in the remote northern deserts. As she began to ask more questions about Aboriginal cultures, she was shocked to discover a systematic, forced erasure of Aboriginal people and a more nuanced, complex picture of Australian history.

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.

In this collection, you will hear live recordings from people who spoke about difficult truths, hidden histories and reimagined futures, all reflections of their lived experiences of colonisation in Walyalup and beyond.

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: Holly Story

Nyul Nyul and Nyikina man Jason Hunter shares his journey of learning about the true history of his family: stolen land, people massacred, children stolen, lives controlled. He encourages all listeners to understand this is our shared history and our shared responsibility to change Aboriginal Australia’s future.

Content Warning: These stories may include triggering content for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. So, 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.

In this collection, you will hear live recordings from people who spoke about difficult truths, hidden histories and reimagined futures, all reflections of their lived experiences of colonisation in Walyalup and beyond.

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: Jason Hunter

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.

New tracks tagged #indigenousaustralia