Memories of  Barbara Castledine

Memories of  Barbara Castledine

I met Barbara early in 1997 at the NSW Storytelling Guild’s Conference held at Macquarie University. We were new members of the Guild, and keen to learn about the art of Oral Storytelling. We continued to meet every month at the Guild’s monthly workshops held at the Rozelle Writers Centre. We started telling our stories and discussed the effects our stories had on the audience and ourselves.
Barbara had a wonderful voice for Storytelling with her soft Scottish accent, and her imaginative, descriptive expression. Everyone loved listening to Barbara tell stories from all over the world. Barbara was a Librarian, so had many resources from which to discover intriguing stories.
Barbara told stories in Schools, Retirement villages, at Church and with her husband Malcolm and his group of Barbershop singers.
Barbara suffered the deepest sadness any parent can suffer with the loss of her first daughter to cancer. Barbara was a devout Christian, and her deep faith helped her to keep her faith and love for Malcolm and Lee to guide her through life's tragic effects. Barbara suffered many illnesses which she fought and overcame.
Her love of Storytelling and its important influences on the audience assisted her to face life bravely and with determination.
Barbara was a highly respected and treasured member of the Storytelling Guild for many years. She served on the executive committee bringing her experience and passion to forwarding the work of the Guild. She will also be fondly remembered for her famous pikelets and delicious soups which she brought to many of our gatherings
Barbara will be missed by all our members and all her friends.
Vale dear Barbara. Rest in Peace

Sue Alvarez
Life Member, Australian Storytelling Guild. NSW
OAM

Storytelling Games and Tips and AGM elections.

Storytelling Games and Tips and AGM elections.

During our Zoom Gathering for the AGM on Saturday, July 29th we started the day with some creative storytelling from participants. It is interesting what can be revealed about people when we shared 'Two truths and a lie' and creative explanations of various object gifts. Good fun and networking was further developed when everyone shared a storytelling tip that has improved their skills as oral storytelling performers. There were some little gems of wisdom.

President's Report 2023

President's Report 2023

PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2023   - Christine Carlton

The past 12 months seen many activities organised and hosted by the Australian Storytelling Guild NSW. Members, their friends and guests as well as interstate and international visitors have enjoyed the hospitality and hard work of committee members who have organised quality opportunities for skills development, networking and storytelling performance.

The major event that took a lot of time and energy in preparation was:-

Weaving Stories Together- Sydney International Storytelling Conference – GIVING VOICE TO OUR STORIES  JUNE 2- 4 WITH  2 Pre-conference Masterclasses— Convenors - Christine Carlton, Kiran Shah

  • Attendees came from throughout Australia including

Conference attendee Caroline Welkin shares some thoughts about the Conference.

Conference attendee Caroline Welkin shares some thoughts about the Conference.

Imagine a settlement of storytellers. A world of tales gathered in one place, sharing stories from their homes, their nations, and their hearts. Changing the world story by story. Some bring perspectives on peace, some bring lessons from history, journeys and transitions, personal anecdotes, culture, faerie folk. Hearts lift, smiles radiate, skills build in every workshop. This incredible conference was so welcomed back to a heart of Sydney by the Australian Storytelling Guild, New South Wales.

Once again, the story quilt was hung, the weaving began, and moments were woven into one amazing event

I am ready to zoom. I love it!

I am ready to zoom. I love it!

On the third Wednesday of the month, our home routine stops.

We do not dine together. Each of the two men with whom I live (husband and son) know that to interrupt me between around 7.15pm and 9.00pm is temping fate! Microphone tested, headphone checked! I am ready to zoom. I love it!

The Storytelling Zoom! I become engrossed in the tales told. Each theme elicits ….

The Koori Curriculum Book Summit review 

The Koori Curriculum Book Summit review 

A storytelling gathering like nothing I’ve ever experienced – that was the Koori Curriculum’s recent Book Summit. 8th-9th July. It was a place of plenty, where culture and knowledge were generously shared, and where indigenous and non-indigenous were made so welcome. It was a place to start conversations, some of which hurt, deeply. It was an invitation to know more about the people who have lived here since, as author Greg Dreise, explained, “the beginning of time”. To my knowledge, it was the first time a virtual conference like this had been held, and it was extraordinary. ..