Telling Our Stories

2008-06-13T12:48:00.001+09:30

Chris Steffe interviewed William “Bill” Dunkan Stronach, as he was born overseas, which stood out to Chris. It was a challenge to find common interest between them initially. Bill is interested in communication and Chris had the idea to create a newspaper article about the change in communication, comparing modern communication to the past. They had two interviews. Chris has used tips from Robyn Douglas from the Blackwood Times to make his article more effective. The application has turned out better than expected. Chris believes that the features replicating real newspapers have made it better, but would like to get more in-depth information through a better interview process.

Leia interviewed Raeline Holliday, as she wanted someone who would interest her and who had a good story to tell. She was nervous during the first interview, but left with many pages of notes. She collected even more information during the second interview, and then decided to write an exert from a biography. She would focus on her time in the Army Reserves when writing her exert. She wishes she had managed her time better and decided on her application sooner so she could have spent more time on it and had more specific questions to ask during the second interview.

Bella had chosen to interview Jenny, as Jenny was a teacher involved with deaf people, and has a close friend whose family are deaf. Bella found it hard at first to decide on a storyteller, as she didn’t show much interest into the project initially. They held three interviews, the first lasting around a hour, while she took notes. The two subsequent meetings were much shorter. Bella chose to write for a publication. Jenny provided her a folder which she was presented at her retirement which Bella used as an extra resource. She is happy with her choice of application, and would only change her organisation skills if she were to do it again.

April interviewed Claire Phillips regarding family history, as this interested her. They talked about the changes in the Coromandel Valley area, and Claire’s family history. She decided to write for publication after Robyn visited the class and gave her many good ideas. She could use both the photos she had borrowed and the information she had noted to write an eye-catching and interesting article. She wishes she had planned further ahead to have more time to write the article.

Richard was assigned Frank Esvelt as his storyteller, as he had great difficulty in making his own decision. Richard has created a website based on information that has been presented to him through his three interviews with Frank. The website has information on engineering tools which have now been replaced by more modern parts. Richard is happy with his site, but would have liked to be more organised to get a draft.

Georgie Spooner interviewed Kurt Schmit, as she is interested in international history, and Kurt is immigrated to Australia from Germany as an adult. During the first interview, Kurt showed her photos and gave information detailing the differences between work in Germany and Australia, as well as the living standards in Germany at the time he lived there. She decided to write for publication, and made a pamphlet about immigration to South Australia during the 1950’s. She used Microsoft Publisher to make the pamphlet. She is very happy with her final product as it it original and eye-catching. She wishes she was more prepared for the interviews.

2008-06-12T16:02:00.002+09:30

James interviewed Bob Winn. He talked about his ancestors, as well as his life’s achievements and goals. He decided to do an investigation, so he could include as much information about the Winn family history as possible, as this was the topic he chose to focus on. He visited the Winn Bakehouse and the Winn Garden to research their history for the investigation. He wanted to show the importance of Bob’s ancestors in the development of Coromandel Valley. His first interview was a little awkward, but he received a lot of useful information. Too much, in fact, as the 1000 word count posed a problem for him when producing his investigation.

Sam has started off his presentation by showing his documentary that he has made for his application. Sam enjoys making films, and has lived in the area all his life. In the initial interview, they talked about different aspects that could be incorporated into the film. He first created a rough plan of how the film would be put together and then finially filmed on the third meeting. The short film was edited with final cut pro. The film shows change over time well as it is a fairly new technology. Sam didn’t expect that much help from Kevin, and found it hard to keep it to the 4 minute time limit. He would prefer to have planned more shots before filming.

Latoya interviewed Sallie Stanford. At the interviews, they focussed on lead lighting. After the interviews, she sorted out her notes and divided them into separate sections. The notes covered such topics as her life story, lead lighting and some of her most treasured memories. She designed and made a web page, consisting of a home page as well as three other pages giving information and pictures. The page has not been completed yet.

2008-06-11T10:30:00.001+09:30

Chelsea Willing interviewed Clyde Paton. She had three meetings with him, and he brought many photos and aids to help. He was very enthusiastic about telling his story about 4WDing along and around the Canning Stock Route. She wrote a feature article focussing on the history of the stock route as well as Clyde’s story. She was happy with her application, but wishes she had taken Robyn’s advice and written her article using more of the features of writing a feature article. She used a powerpoint to assist her presentation.

Jared Daly has written his application on John Whitbread. He has chosen him because he had a very interesting story about his experience in the police force. He has had two interviews with John. Jared had written a feature article as it was the most appropriate form to outline John’s story. John is a very community minded and humble man. Jared has looked at a few examples in local papers as well as a previous article written about John. The purpose of this article was to demonstrate John’s achievements in the local police force. Jared mentioned that he should have had more interviews to get more information about John’s personal life, and looked at more examples to get a better feel of newspaper style.

Jos Spurr has chosen to create a booklet on her story teller, Dorothy Pargeater, who served as principal of St John’s Grammar for 23 years principal. Dorothy has also had a career in education for over 45 years. Jos though it would be good to learn about the history of St John’s in its Jubilee year, and wanted to create a documentary on school initially, but thought that a book was better suited to her skills. She had three interviews with Dorothy. Jos was given a box of materiels to sort through. Her target audience was for year 8 onwards and has kept a consistent layout throughout the booklet, and has used yellow paper to give it a more professional and authentic feel. She has taken many pictures from previous St John’s year books. If she could repeat the application again she would dedicate more time to the project, so that it would not have been rushed.

Jade Bennett interviewed Eve Holmes. During the first interview they discussed possible topics for Jade’s application, and ended up choosing a feature article focussing on Eve’s impact on the Blackwood schooling community. She was going to write an investigation about the differences in schooling, but decided to write a feature article after Robyn visited the class. Unfortunately, changing her mind on what to write about meant she didn’t have time to write a draft, but she is happy with her final product. She used a powerpoint to assist her oral presentation.

2008-06-10T10:41:00.000+09:30

Michelle Shakeshaft’s storyteller is Fran West. There are more components to her life than just flying. She has had many other achievements. Michelle has created a piece for publications. She has written a biography on Fran. The main focus was on her flying achievements around Australia. She has decided to compile her biography into a small booklet, representing a part of a larger book including biographies on all the storytellers involved in the project. Her biography is targeted towards the older population. She has found the whole process very enjoyable, and Fran has opened up to her, telling her information that she would otherwise not tell a stranger.

Eveleen Fazzalari interviewed Bevan McFarlan, and talked to him about living in Clare, and the changes in Clare between now and when he was a child. She began her application, an investigative report after two interviews with Bevan. The application was written for members of the Coromandel Community Centre. She researched the history of Clare from the council, as well as some various internet sites. Bevan also provided her with school magazines from when he was a child. She used black and white photos rather than colour versions in order to connect with the older storytellers and demonstrate the history behind Clare. To assist her oral presentation, she used a poster.

Sophie Kitchen chosen to write a feature article on the comparisons of school between the past and present. She has had two visits with her storyteller, Ian Will. The target audience for her article was teenagers, as well as the older people in the area. It was written to be published in the Blackwood Times, limiting the target that it may reach if published. She would have liked to have more interviews with Ian, and would have been better if they had been less awkward. Ian was very open in telling her facts, and that made the whole process much easier.

Tim Gibson interviewed Fleur Delaine. She has travelled to Antarctica and the Arctic. The first interview was a little awkward, but the second was much better, with Tim having a list of questions to ask, and Fleur having some maps and itinerates to loan. Tim wrote a feature article, and used and explained the features he used in order to write the article well. He thinks his article meets his expectations, but thinks it may be a little too short, and wishes he handed in a draft to help improve his application. To assist his presentation, he used a powerpoint.

2008-06-06T20:46:00.000+09:30

Richard Fergusson has completed a website on his storyteller Frank Esvelt. You can view it here

2008-06-03T14:41:00.000+09:30

People have begun to write their oral presentations, which will be presented during English lessons next week. Some storytellers will be present to listen to their student present their project to the class. Mr Scobie sent a long email off to Helen at Coromandel Valley Community Center. He is getting anxious about getting it all finished. Four people don’t want their storyteller present at their oral. People that don't want their storyteller present will be presenting theirs to the class on Tuesday.

2008-06-02T12:19:00.000+09:30

This image is of Chris Steffe interviewing Bill Stronach at the Coromandel Community Centre.

2008-05-29T14:08:00.000+09:30

The drafts for the applications were due on Tuesday this week, but unfortunately only three people had completed their application and were able to hand up a draft. Mr Scobie was disappointed by this, and emphasized the importance of handing in a draft/drafts. We gave Mr Scobie the URL of this site as our draft, even though it is obviously not completed, as we still have to write about the class’ applications and the oral presentations.

Yesterday, Mr Scobie went through the criteria for the oral presentation, and handed out a sheet outlining what people needed to talk about during their four to six minute presentation. He then talked about the application drafts he had already received, saying that he wasn’t entirely happy with them and that they didn’t follow all the conventions of writing for publication, which were outlined by Robyn. He read parts of these drafts to the class to outline what was wrong with them, and in some cases how they could be improved. The rest of the lesson was spent working on the oral presentations.

2008-05-27T12:19:00.000+09:30

This is a image taken of James McKinlay interviewing Bob Winn at the Coromandel Community Centre.

2008-05-22T12:01:00.000+09:30

Today Mr. Scobie has organized two guest speakers to talk to the class about writing for publication. Blackwood is free and is released monthly. Believes newspaper helps maintain community relationships and feeling. Also helps businesses to to get their message out through advertising.

Blackwood Times available on net.

Robyn Douglass explained to us how to write articles. She said you must interview thoroughly and make people trust you so they will give you as much information as possible. You also have to use quotes well in order to give as much evidence as possible to support your point/angle. It is also necessary that you read over your work very thoroughly, as there are some errors that cannot be picked up by spell checkers.

Here are some tips that Robyn gave us during her talk:

When you refer to someone use their full name in first reference, then abbreviated in further references to either a title and last name, or a first name. She advised us not to refer to people by just their last name, as this implies that they are a convicted criminal!

When writing dates, they should be written up in full, and they must be written in the same format throughout the article.

You should write your article for a target reading age of 12 to 14 years of age, so that it is readable by a wide audience.

The most important and relevant information should be located in the first paragraph, and each paragraph after that should contain the finer and less important details. Each paragraph should be short; usually less than 25 words per paragraph. The first paragraph should also set the theme of the article.

Robyn also advised that we shouldn't be afraid to cut information/paragraphs from our work in order to help the article to flow; readers won't miss what they don't read. It's also important that an article isn't too long, or the reader will lose interest.

News reporting is about facts. The writer's opinion doesn't matter. Don't write "I think" or "In my opinion".

http://blackwoodtimes.com.au

2008-05-16T12:30:00.003+09:30

Today Mr. Scobie is going around the room helping people out with their applications. There are a lot of people who have decided what they want to do, but don't know exactly how to go about writing/creating their application. Most people have had three interviews with their story teller by now, and are now beginning to compile their notes and research together in order to create an application that will meet the criteria.

Latoya has been interviewing Sallie Sandiford. She has been talking to Latoya about leadlighting in a church in Coromandel Valley, and the history of the cottage and land on which she lived on. Latoya will be making a website using the information that she has compiled from Sallie.

Richard will also be creating a website. Frank Esvelt has been telling Richard about lots of engineering tools, such as slide rules and balances. He also has some radio valves.

Ev has been interviewing Bevan McFarlane. During their interviews, they have ben discussing Bevan's childhood, and growing up in country Claire. For her application, she will be writing an Investigation about the differences between Claire and Belair.

Jade has been interviewing Eve Holmes about the changes in schooling and education. She will also be writing an investigation about the similarities and differences between Eve's education and her own.

Jarrad has been interviewing John Whitbread. John has been talking about his experiences in the police force in South Australia. He will be writing a newspaper article for his application.

Michelle interviewed Fran West about her achievements in aviation, including her solo flight around Australia. She intends to write a biography in the form of writing for publication

Jos has interviewed Dorothy Pargeter about her involvement with St. John’s Grammar as principal over twenty three years, as well as her achievements, etc. She intends to write a short book, which will cover the criteria for writing for publication.

Sam interviewed Kevin Moore, and intends to make a film about the change in the Coromandel Valley area over time.

James interviewed Bob Winn about his family history, and how it played a big role in the establishment of Coromandel Valley. He will write this in the form of an investigation.

Chelsea has interviewed Clyde Payton about his 4 wheel driving in outback Australia. She intends to write an article, covering the writing for publication criteria.

Georgie interviewed Kurt Schmid about immigrating to Australia in 1952, and getting work, etc. She will be writing an investigation.

2008-05-13T09:30:00.004+09:30

Mr Scobie is talking about the criteria for the storyteller application assignments, as most students have completed their research and gathered enough information. He has explained briefly each possible application choice, and also the criteria used when marking the assignments. He is trying to make sure everybody knows what is required from their application before they start writing their final product.

The criteria are as follows:

understanding
· How well does the student recognise the conventions, structures, and features of the chosen form of expression or communication?
· To what extent does the student demonstrate an understanding of how the conventions of a particular form of expression or communication shape texts or the communication process?

application
· How effectively does the student apply skills in producing an example of a chosen form of expression or communication?
· How effectively does the student engage in a process that requires participation in a form of expression or communication?
· How imaginative and original are the texts produced by the student?
· How versatile is the student in producing texts for different contexts, audiences, and purposes?

evaluation
· To what extent does the student evaluate how effectively he or she applied the conventions of the chosen form of expression or communication?

communication
· How accurate and fluent is the student’s expression?
· How appropriate are the student’s form and register for the audience and purpose?

Mr Scobie is also talking about the required oral presentation. This presentation will be 4-6 minutes long, and the students will have to explain how and why their application is what it is and why.

Mr Scobie has also organized some interviews with a couple of students to discuss ideas for their application. Some students are having trouble deciding what type of application they should choose.

2008-04-29T09:25:00.000+09:30

Mr Scobie had morning tea during the school holidays with the storytellers at the Community Centre. They invited him as they wanted to talk the teacher of the students whom they had been talking to, and discuss the process and the Telling Our Stories project in general. They also wanted to raise some concerns so that they could be passed on to the students. Some of the positive things the storytellers mentioned was the way that young people are able to master certain skills. In particular, they referred to technology, as many students chose to take notes using a laptop, rather than pen and paper. They also remarked on the way their discussions with students had allowed them to see the vast difference in childhood between when they were children and now.

However, there were also some concerns mentioned by the storytellers and staff at the Community Centre. They felt as though they weren’t being asked enough questions, and because of that, they weren’t sure what they should talk about. Mr Scobie suggested that if this was the case, to simply talk about what they wanted to, and to give information that they thought was interesting and/or relevant to the student’s application. The storytellers and staff at the Community Centre were also a little frustrated at the rather large amount of students who were cancelling their interviews at only short notice.

After talking to the class about this, Mr Scobie proceeded to organise and confirm some of the final interview times.

2008-04-09T10:15:00.000+09:30

The interview times are being confirmed and modified in class, to make sure everyone knows exactly when their interviews are. Only a few times were changed.

2008-04-02T10:15:00.001+10:30

Most of the interview times have been finalised for the rest of the term. Mr Scobie spent the start of the English lesson today finalising the rest of these times, and sending them via email to the Community Centre.

2008-04-01T21:08:00.003+10:30

This article appeared in the April 2008 edition of the Blackwood Times.

(Click the thumbnail to see the full-sized article)

2008-03-26T20:53:00.000+10:30

This article featured in the Hills & Valley Messenger, 26th March 2008.

2008-03-14T09:05:00.000+10:30

I was privileged enough to be able to sit in and listen to the first interview between Evleen and her storyteller Bevan. This interview took place between Recess and Lunch in the Retreat House conference room at St Johns’ Grammar School. As well as Bevan, Ev and myself, Jodie, a staff member at the Community Centre and also one of the coordinators of the Telling Our Stories project, was also present. Everyone present introduced themselves and then took a seat; Ev, Bevan and I at one end of the table, and Jodie at the other.

The interview between Ev and Bevan began, and Bevan began to talk about his chosen subject, his childhood in Claire, which he dubbed as “the good old days”. As Bevan talked, Ev listened intently and took notes on a laptop, which surprised Bevan, as he was expecting notes to be taken with a pen and paper. During the interview, Bevan did most of the talking, with Ev only interrupting to ask for clarification or more detail on a particular subject.

Bevan talked about many things during the interview, including his childhood in Claire, and how it contrasted to the childhood of today’s generation. He also talked about what it was like growing up in a country town specifically, remarking on how there was no graffiti or violence, and that everyone left their doors unlocked, as they didn’t fear being robbed. Children were also allowed to go out by themselves, as it was considered safe to do so, as everybody knew everyone else in the town. He spent a lot of his free time outdoors and played a lot of sport.

Bevan was also kind enough to leave some old school magazines with Ev to help her with her assignment. After the interview had finished, Jodie talked to Ev about the interview, and whether or not she wanted to organise a time for the next interview. She also asked Ev if there was any more specific information she required at the next interview. She also asks Ev if she has decided what application she will choose for her project, but she hadn’t decided which one to do yet.

2008-03-13T13:45:00.000+10:30

The staff at the Community Centre had replied to Mr Scobie’s email, confirming some of the interview times that were previously decided upon by the students. However, some of the times provided by the students weren’t suitable for the storytellers, and the affected students were consulting with Mr Scobie about arranging new interview times. The students whose times had been confirmed were trying to organise transport with each other and also with Mr Scobie now that they knew when and where their interview would be taking place.

2008-03-08T12:13:00.000+10:30

This is an photo of Jos Spurr and Dorothy Pargeter, former principal of St John's Grammar, at the Coromandel Community Centre.

2008-03-05T10:15:00.000+10:30

This lesson was, like the last one, spent trying to organize interview times between the storytellers and the students. This proved a little difficult, as it became apparent that getting transport to the Community Centre for these interviews would be a problem for quite a few of the students. However, many interview times were decided upon, and it was a productive lesson. These interview times were emailed by Mr Scobie to the Community Centre.

2008-03-03T07:55:00.000+10:30

Mr Scobie had asked the class to write down a few preferences on who each person would like as their storyteller for homework the night before, but only a few people had written anything. This was discussed in class, and it became clear that most people weren’t sure who they wanted to interview, and some didn’t seem to care. Mr Scobie let people make their decisions in class, and although most people were able to pick a storyteller, some people had to be assigned one, or needed help in choosing one. There was also a couple of arguments between students over who would get to interview the more popular storytellers, and Mr Scobie solved these arguments by simply flipping a coin.

After everyone had been assigned a storyteller, Mr Scobie began to organise some of the initial interview times. Not many people were able to confirm an interview time with Mr Scobie, and this resulted in him complaining to the class about their lack of organization and their apparent laziness.

2008-02-28T12:02:00.000+10:30

Here are some short profiles of the storytellers. Students will be asked to select a storyteller that interests them.

Fleur Delaine is a keen volunteer who loves to travel. Her most memorable trip was one to the Antarctic, and she has volunteered at the Sydney Olympics, the Commonwealth Games and the Police Games in Adelaide.

Frank Esvelt is originally from Holland, but has lived in the Coromandel area for thirty years. He also lived in Afrika at one stage. He worked as an industrial chemist for over twenty five years.

Raeline Holliday worked at an SA company for over thirty years, starting on the factory floor, but working her way up to travelling the world to represent the organisation and training people. Sometimes she spent over six months of the year overseas. She also lived on a boat for nine years, and sailed for six months, ending up in Sydney where the boat was sold. She joined the Army Reserves when she was forty two despite the cut off age being thirty five.

Eve Holmes has been living in Coromandel Valley since 1950, moving here when she got married to her now deceased husband. She has lived in Coromandel Valley before water and electricity was connected, and has seen the area change over the years.

Bevan McFarlane grew up in Claire, and is now a member of the Management Committee of Coromandel Community Centre Inc. He is also president of Coromandel Valley Community Association, and Deputy Mayor of the local council.

Kevin Moore has lived in the Coromandel Valley area for around seventy years. He is very involved in the community and the Coromandel Valley Uniting Church.

Dorothy Pargeter was a former principal of St. John’s Grammar School for twenty three years, from 1978 to 2001. She is also a member of the Pioneers Association.
Clyde Paton has lived in the Coromandel Valley area for over forty years. He has travelled overseas many time to Asia and Europe, and has had several different career moves. He has also done a lot of four wheel driving around outback Australia.

Claire Phillips was brought up in the Watchman house, a property on Main Road, Coromandel Valley. Her family are original pioneers of the Coromandel Valley area. She is involved in the National Trust, and works part time at the Belair Medical Centre.

Sallie Sandiford lived in Coromandel Valley for around thirty five years, but has recently moved to Millswood. She has done a lot of leadlighting in Coromandel Valley and the surrounding area. She also did the original leadlighting at the Anglican Church.

Kurt Schmid moved to Australia in 1952. He couldn’t speak any English and didn’t know anybody. He has had numerous different occupations, having worked on the railway, a stonecutter, and on a strawberry farm in Coromandel Valley. He has also run a vegetable garden at Minda.

Alec Smith is the President of the Coromandel Valley Croquet Club. Previously, he worked as a manager at the air quality branch for the Department of Environment and Planning.

Neil Stallard had a career as a sheet metal worker, and was very involved in the restoration of the Belair Signal Cabin and Train Station. He was heartbroken when it was burnt down four months after being completely restored. He is no longer involved in the restoration project.

Bill Stronach is originally from Scotland, but has lived in Australia for most of his adult life. He began working as a house painter, but decided to study to become a valuer and then a land broker. The majority of his family live overseas or interstate, so he doesn’t see them very often. Recently, he decided to document his life experiences for his family to read and enjoy, so began taking creative writing classes at the Coromandel Community Centre.

Bob Such is a politician, and is currently the member for Fisher. He has lived in the Coromandel Valley area for a long period of time.

Jenny Watchman grew up in the Adelaide Hills area, and worked with hearing impaired children for many years. Currently she works as a consultant advising on hearing assistance systems that can be placed in classrooms. She also attends Feldenkrais classes at the Coromandel Community Centre.

Fran West is currently the manager of the Blue Gums B&B in Coromandel Valley, and owns her own chocolate making business called Simply Irresistible. She is also a professional speaker, and a keen pilot who, in 1999-2000, circumnavigated the Australian Coastline. She was the first female pilot and the first SA pilot to do this trip solo.

John Whitbread is the ex Superintendent at Darlington Police Station, and spent forty three years with the police force. He was, at one stage in his career, responsible and in charge of one third of the metropolitan police force.

Ian Will has lived in Coromandel Valley for most of his life, and his daughter and her family now live in the house that he had his wife originally resided in. He has grandchildren ranging in age from eight to twenty one years of age.

Bob Winn is currently involved in the National Trust, and does presentations regarding his family and their involvement in Coromandel Valley. His ancestors owned Winn’s Bakehouse, which is now a museum in Coromandel Valley. He previously worked for the Department of Agriculture, and was heavily involved in bee keeping.

2008-02-08T11:25:00.000+10:30

Mr Scobie’s English class travelled to the Coromandel Community Centre by bus after recess. Our class had been invited to morning tea to meet a few of the storytellers and get to know the Community Centre and its staff. As we arrived, a member of the staff was waiting outside to greet us, which gave the class a positive first impression. We were given a brief tour of the centre, before sitting down in a circle and discussing the Telling Our Stories project. Questions were asked by both the students, storytellers and the Community Centre’s staff. Fleur, one of the storytellers present, gave a short introduction to what she might talk about in her interview. I think everyone in the class found this introduction quite interesting.

After we had finished discussing the program, we were given morning tea, which had been prepared by the Community Centre’s staff. After finishing morning tea and handing in a few forms which we had filled out and signed at school, we said our goodbyes and travelled back to school by bus.

2008-02-01T12:24:00.001+10:30