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ReConnect Bathurst:
Introduction
A photo-storytelling project that celebrates the older people in our community.
We acknowledge the Wiradjuri people as the owners & custodians of the land on which this project has been undertaken. We acknowledge past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation. We extend our respect to the Aboriginal people who have been part of this project and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this exhibition contains images and/or names of people who have passed away.
This project is proudly funded through the State Government’s Local Government Social Cohesion Grant Program. ReConnect Bathurst is an And Then project delivered in partnership with Bathurst Regional Art Gallery.
16 people from the Bathurst area participated in this project. This is an introduction to the stories they shared. You are invited to explore each of their individual stories.
Our ReConnect Bathurst Participants:
Uncle Bill Allen
Bev Cooney
Cheryl O’Brien
June Paton
Gus Gorton
Lonnie Edwards
Yvonne Morgan
Enn Muller
Jan Sheppard
Edgar Coello
Aunty Shirley Scott and Aunty Sandra Peckham
Mike Hardie
Frank Smith
Clive Brabham
Eddy Suttor
CLICK THROUGH VIA THE PORTRAITS TO VIEW THE PARTICIPANTS’ INDIVIDUAL STORYBANKS
During this project, we spent time with each person, we talked, reflected on old photographs, made images together and worked through various ways of co-authoring.
As you find your way through stories, you’ll see the facets of vast lives lived. Snapshots and threads that when woven together create a rich tapestry.
As these stories wash over us, let’s make space to contemplate connection and the beauty of community.
Mitchell Library. State Library of NSW. Courtesy SEARCH Foundation.
Jock Alexander, Riverbend. Watercolour Painting. Image Courtesy of Artist
Our stories are a wonderful connection point. It’s through sharing them with each other that we make space for conversations that can inspire, that can expand our understanding and in some cases, leave us changed.
Their lives span decades;
Traversing history;
Marked by seasons of love and loss, triumphs and challenges
They might not know it yet, but their stories are a gift.
We are part of a human garden.
Every one of us is a flower in the garden.
The garden is filled with many different types of flowers and it is beautiful.
If there was only one type of flower in the garden, it would be awful, it would be boring.
We need to have the courage to accept that we are all human beings, and that above all else, we are equal.
We might have different skin colours, different beliefs, different ideas — we might be young or maybe we are old. It shouldn’t matter, we are the same.
Edgar Coello
ReConnect Bathurst Participant
This project is proudly funded through the State Government’s Local Government Social Cohesion Grant Program. ReConnect Bathurst is an And Then project delivered in partnership with Bathurst Regional Art Gallery.
Uncle Bill Allen
Bev Cooney
Cheryl O’Brien
June Paton
Gus Gorton
Lonnie Edwards
Yvonne Morgan
Enn Muller
Jan Sheppard
Edgar Coello
Aunty Shirley Scott and Aunty Sandra Peckham
Mike Hardie
Frank Smith
Clive Brabham
Eddy Suttor
RECONNECT BATHURST PARTICIPANTS’ INDIVIDUAL STORYBANKS
PROJECT INFORMATION
WHEN
April – November 2022
WHERE
Bathurst, NSW
WHY
We believe that stories matter and that stories like those shared here hold power and significance.
The vision of the project is to use photo-storytelling and cultural preservation practices to develop social and creative connections and experiences with older people from the Bathurst area. This project celebrates the participants' lived experiences while encouraging dialogue around ageing, isolation and ageism.
Social-arts projects like this are important as they transform public spaces and help to build a sense of community. It’s been wonderful to reimagine Pedrottas Lane in Bathurst and to create an online representation of the physical exhibition with a project made with the community, for the community.
WHO
We were honoured to be invited by Bathurst Regional Art Gallery to create and facilitate ReConnect Bathurst.
16 older people from the Bathurst area. Many of the participants were nominated by local community organisations while others serendipitously came to be a part of the project. We’d like to thank The Bathurst Aboriginal Land Council, The Wiradjuri and Community Aboriginal Elders, The Neighbourhood Center, Bathurst Business Chamber, The Woodies, Bathurst RSL Sub Branch and the Country Women’s Association.
With special thanks to Dinawan Dyirribang (Uncle Bill Allen), Bev Cooney, Cheryl O’Brien, June Paton, Gus Gorton, Lonnie Edwards, Yvonne Morgan, Enn Muller, Frank Smith, Jan Shepard, Edgar Coello, Aunty Shirley Scott, Aunty Sandra Peckham, Mike Hardie, Clive Brabham and Eddy Suttor.
HOW
Our stories are a wonderful connection point. It’s through sharing them with each other that we make space for conversations that can inspire, that can expand our understanding and in some cases, leave us changed.
During this project, we spent time with each person, we talked, reflected on old photographs, made images together and worked through various ways of co-authoring. Socially-engaged practice empowers participants to participate in the creation of their stories, allowing them to represent themselves in the way that they choose.
We often leave a camera with participants and invite them to engage in their own image-making. There’s something raw and revealing about the images made this way, about seeing the world through the participants' eyes.
AND THEN
Through their stories, we see facets of vast lives lived. We witness the snapshots and threads that when woven together create a rich tapestry. Our hope is that as stories wash over us we’re able to make space to contemplate connection and the beauty of community.
This project is proudly funded through the State Government’s Local Government Social Cohesion Grant Program. ReConnect Bathurst is an And Then project delivered in partnership with Bathurst Regional Art Gallery.