Sharing Stories

About

Sharing Stories is a fund for projects that centre on inter-cultural dialogue. CAN WA is keen to support initiatives that enable communities to convey, verbally or otherwise, their cultural identity. The Sharing Stories fund is underpinned by Healthway and Relationships Australia’s Make Time to Talk message. Make Time to Talk recognises the positive mental and social effects of giving people the opportunity to tell their stories. The Sharing Stories fund is particularly adaptable to projects that focus on youth and migrant communities.

There is a total of $25,000 available annually. Applicants can apply for up to $5,000.

Projects should increase awareness of the use and benefits of arts and culture in tandem with health practices. Ideally, the focus of projects should be on increased communication and relationship skills within the community. Projects with long-term spin-off will be preferenced.

Sharing Stories does fund:

• Projects currently targeted at regional and remote communities in the Wheatbelt and Goldfields.
• Projects where people have the opportunity to participate, learn together, share stories and experience the arts.
• Projects targeted at Indigenous communities.
• Projects targeted at youth.
• Projects that employ artists/consultants who are skilled at involving communities at a process level.
• Some production, administration and promotion costs.

Sharing Stories does not fund:

• Currently, projects outside the Wheatbelt or Goldfields areas.
  
• The total cost of a project.
• An applicant already in receipt of Healthway funding.
• Prizes or prize money.
• Equipment purchases, such as musical instruments or computers.
• Conference costs.
• Projects that have already taken place.
• Individuals – the applicant must be an incorporated body, or be auspiced by one.
• Projects where smoking takes place or is depicted or glamorised on stage, in films or as part of an arts activity.
• Projects where performance-enhancing or other illicit drugs are condoned.

Who can apply?

Both individuals and groups. Applications must be submitted at least two months prior to the start date of the project so that there is enough time for the selection panel to assess the application and for promotional strategies to be developed with Relationships Australia.

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Click here for Sharing Stories Applications.

Sharing Stories feature

Sharing Cultures

Kellerberrin at the Heart of Cultural Exchange

Sharing Cultures brought together the Noongar people of Kellerberrin and the Narasirato Pan Pipers of the Solomon Islands in an exchange of traditional music, dance and shared experiences of their connection to the land.

A significant amount of community consultation was undertaken by Frank Walsh , CAN WA’s Indigenous Art and Cultural Development Officer took place prior to this exchange to ensure that the indigenous community of Kellerberrin were encouraged and empowered throughout this project. Different family groups came together to attend meetings at the Kellerberrin Aboriginal progress Association Building. Local Noongar People decided on the venue, banquet, performers, additional activities like the art and photography displays, bush tours and transport for the community.

Sharing Cultures was a two day project involving workshops and performances by the Solomon Islander, Narasirato Pan Pipers at Kellerberrin District High School. 190 students participated in the performance joining in with the clapping, dancing routines that accompanied the music and performance.

Four groups of students also had the opportunity to participate in a workshop with the Islanders, exploring their culture, instruments , music and dance.

In the evening the Gya Gnoop Kobori and Njaki Njaki dancers performed with the Narasirato Pan Pipers in a wonderful display of culture, dance and music. A banquet of traditional Noongar dishes prepared by local Kellerberrin women, and was shared with the dancers, Solomon Islanders, Noongar community of Kellerberrin and Noongar elders from bordering communities.

The following day the Solomon Islanders were taken on a local tour hosted by the Noongar community, sharing in historic and sacred landscapes of Kellerberrin. Djurin Reserve, a sacred area of bushland that is significant to local people and Sharks Mouth, a huge granite rock, were part of the sights and experiences on this tour.

Reynold McIntosh presented the Narasirato pan pipers with a beautiful didgeridoo, which he hand painted as a special gift. This gift began a series of lessons to teach the men how to play this wind instrument, so vastly different from their own.

This cross cultural performance and the sharing of stories between the Solomon Islanders and the Noongar Community was a huge success and both groups hope they have another opportunity to connect in the future.