Thank you storytellers. 2015 has been a wonderful year.

Thank you to all those people who have contributed so much of their time and talents during 2015, ensuring that Storytelling Australia Victoria continues to grow.

The SAV committee has met monthly via teleconference throughout the year.  In addition we’ve had several full days where we’ve met to discuss and clarify our vision, values and purpose. Thank you Kate Lawrence, Teena Hartnett, Louisa John-Krol, Lana Woolf, Suzanne Sandow, Niki na Meadhra, Roslyn Quin and Ronda Gault for all the minute taking, room booking, photocopying, cake, ideas, but above all your time.

Looking back, our main role in 2015 has been supporting storytellers and groups with publicity and events and getting news out to you about festivals and conferences, local and international. It’s been rewarding to see storytellers connecting and supporting each other’s dreams and aspirations.

We look forward to launching a SAV monthly storytelling event ‘Fabled Nights’. We’re still looking for a venue in the CBD that feels just right.  In 2016 members can expect a newsletter. Nearly there… 

World Storytelling Day ideas are simmering. The theme is ‘Strong Women’. WSD is set in cement in the SAV calendar. Details to be sorted but the plan is to celebrate in Mariam Issa's R.A.W. Garden. Mariam is also keen to  have storytellers in her garden on a monthly basis throughout 2016. Kate Lawrence is coordinating so let her know if you would like to be involved.
Mariam Issa is looking forward to filling her garden with stories
 

Gerry Nelson providing the music on World Storytelling Day

 

Here’s a snapshot of some of the adventures of our members harvested from our blog and Facebook.

Outside Melbourne

Ballarat's Simon Carroll snapped with Roslyn Quin at the Village Festival

 

Simon Carroll kick-started Ballarat Spoken Word (Facebook). Kate Lawrence is running a monthly open mic in Woodend called the Story Door. Ronda Gault made good use of the Words in Winter Festival and organised the inaugural Maryborough Storytelling gathering and there are plans for this to grow. (Watch this space.) In January, Anne E Stewart and the Ballarat Storytellers (with SAV) offered a workshop: Myth and Reality at the Art Gallery of Ballarat with visiting UK storyteller Christine Willison. In Wonthaggi, Gael Cresp offered workshops through the U3A and stories for Adults at the local library.

Train traveling storytellers enjoying a wine after The Mabinogion w/shop

 

The storytellers who stepped up to the mic at the inaugural Story Door

 

Groups

If you explore our website, you’ll find three groups that might be of interest. The Victorian Fairy Tale Ring is led by Louisa John-Krol. The Mahabharata Project is a group that connects via Facebook with interested people from around the world (administered by SAV members Gerry Nelson and Jackie Kerin). The Ballarat Storytellers is the longest running group.

Peter Fernon 'The Mahabharata Adventure' Newport Folk Festival 

 

 The Victorian Fairy Ring organised a mid-winter gathering at Strathvea

Shows

Beginning in February, Katherine Phelps ran a monthly, family friendly variety show, Sandbox Land. Jan Wositzky had a good year performing Canakkale Gallipoli. Lest We Forget. Jackie Kerin sprouted wings and launched her collaborative piece Tales from the Flyway (stories inspired by migratory shore birds). Roslyn Quin offered shows in events across Melbourne throughout the year. And  Niki na Meadhra developed her show Dancing the Bones of Irish Legend.
Niki in action at a private House Concert in Melbourne

Sandbox Land

 

Workshops and Festivals

Kim Billington’s therapeutic work has been of great interest. Teena Hartnett and Kate Lawrence ran workshops in personal storytelling at the Glen Eira and Williamstown Literary Festivals. Teena and Ian McNally co-hosted the annual open floor event at the Newport Folk Festival.

Glen Eira storytelling Festival

 

Travellers

Niki na Meadhra and Anne E Stewart enjoyed overseas storytelling adventures. Anne headed of to the The Festival at the Edge (UK) and Niki to the Sneem Storytelling Festival (Ireland).

Resources and Stories

Thank you to the people who have shared storytelling resources and contributed stories to the website. If you have filmed or recorded a complete story and would like to add it to the site – send it through. Let the world see us in action.

Connections

Lana Woolf giving it her all in 'Scenes on the Yarra'

 

Lana Woolf joined us from Melbourne Spoken Word. The possibility of the poets and storytellers exploring collaborative projects is exciting. The conversations between SAV and our sister storytelling organisations around the country grow. We welcomed NSW President Christine Carlton at our AGM. The National networks have never been stronger. International links have been strengthened and forged by our travellers to the UK and Ireland and in Asia through the Mahabharata Project.

Thank you to all who have sent us news of your events, stories and adventures to share. It is satisfying to see you connecting and sharing your news on our Facebook.

Thank you to those who invest and promote themselves as Victorian Storytellers on our website. Our site is increasingly a go-to place for people looking to engage and connect; our impact and visibility grows with your confidence in us as a place to be seen.

Thank you to Alex Kharnam and Miles who have attended and filmed and  photographed so many events throughout the year,  not to mention fixing our props. We look forward to hearing some of your stories in 2016.

Jan Wositzky rehearsing with Miles for a story about a Dragon

So … there is only one last thing to say: THANK YOU.

Jackie Kerin (president)