Blog
The Legend of the First Strawberry
In the 'The Gift of Story Series' I explain in just over 2 mins one of my recorded stories, their plot and themes and how I think they may be helpful to your child and family. VIDEO 2: The Legend of the First Strawberry In today's video, I introduce a romantic...
The Legend of the Big Dipper’ a story of kindness, sacred water and stars
For me, it is the end of an era. My hard-copy story CD's are nearly out of stock. So to celebrate, I am releasing one super short (roughly 2 mins) video a day starting TODAY, in which I explain seven of my recorded stories and how I think they may be helpful to your...
Stories for Challenging Times
In this era of fast-paced change, drought, bushfires and angry political rhetoric that seems disengaged from the pressing matters of our age, let alone common sense, I have days when I wonder just how much relevance and value whimsical oral tales really have. Then I...
Storytelling for Changemakers at the Byron Writers Festival
Yesterday I facilitated another 'Storytelling for Changemakers' Workshop at the Byron Writer's Festival office with a truly inspiring group of changemakers and writers, including a social entrepreneur and a corporate consultant. I have been teaching and developing...
Stories in the Club LIVES ON! Changes and Continuity
The next Stories in the Club has been put together by the new curator, John Allan. WHEN: Sunday, 8 September, 4.00pm - 5.30pm WHERE: Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club Entry by donation It gives me enormous pleasure to introduce the new curator of 'Stories in the Club' to...
Stories in the Club gets a new leadership team on it’s 2nd birthday
Morag, Jennifer and I had thought that at the upcoming Stories in the Club on Sunday, August 11, we would celebrate our second birthday, but also announce it's ending. I have just moved my family to Ballina, and Jennifer and Morag are also ready for new adventures....
JUNE Stories in the Club: Toastmasters spin Mullum Magic
Leave behind your world-weariness and allow yourself to be enchanted at 'Stories in the Club', on Sunday, June 9, as members of Mullum Magic Toastmasters weave tales of life, transformation and wonder, from 4 pm at the Mullum Ex-Services Club. The tellers range in age...
May Stories in the Club: Courage
On Sunday, May 12, please join us for Welcome from Athol Compton who joins us most months, plus stories on the theme of Courage from a mostly male line up of tellers: Joseph Raya, Martin Killips...
February Stories in the Club: What Do You Stand For?
Our first community storytelling gathering for 2019 is coming up on Sunday, February 10. We have a new format too which feels exciting. For me, coming together in community and sharing stories rekindles my...
The Fairy at the Top of the Christmas Tree
Each year I repost this sweet Christmas tale, which has no mention of Santa, but a focus on trees and forests, connection to earth. You can also listen to my retelling via Soundcloud. I hope you retell to the young ones in your life, perhaps under your Christmas tree...
October Stories in the Club: Getting Here: Migration
Tellers: Jan Olley, Bobbi Allan, John Imbrogno, Alicia Vella, Luis Santos and Jenni Cargill-Strong Jan Olley is the coordinator of Byron Bird Buddies and sits on the Regional Advisory Committee for National Parks. She grew up in the Northern Rivers and trained as an...
Celebrating a year of community storytelling
‘Stories in the Club’ did already turn one in August, but as we were at the Byron Theatre, we didn't eat birthday cake. However, on September 9, this will be rectified as we celebrate a year of community storytelling at our beloved home venue of the Mullumbimby...
LIVE STORYTELLING: STORIES OF PLACE, Byron Bay Writer’s Festival
In August, 'Stories in the Club' celebrates our first birthday. Excitingly, on Saturday, August 4, we are a Feature Event of The Byron Bay Writer's Festival as 'Live Storytelling: Stories of Place'. (NB: NOT the second Sunday and NOT at the Club!) Please join us!!...
July ‘Stories in the Club: Back to the Garden’
Our July theme for 'Stories in the Club: Drawn from Life' is 'Back to the Garden', and was partly inspired by Joni Mitchell's classic song 'Woodstock', which has become a bit of a theme song for 'Stories in the Club', as...
Winter Solstice and the rekindling of the light
“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.” As we passed through the darkest night of the Winter Solstice, there was some pretty dark political news gathering on the horizon overseas and here in Oz. I found myself...
JUNE ‘Stories in the Club’ Earth Love
Northern Rivers story lovers are invited to gather on Sunday, June 10 for ‘Stories in the Club: Drawn from Life’ on a theme of ‘Earth Love’, as it falls a week after World Environment Day. Ten minute oral stories will be shared by Athol Compton, Dr Eshana Bragg,...
May Stories in the Club Adult Fairytales
On Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13 our 'Stories in the Club' theme was 'Adult Fairytales'. There were slightly less people than usual, but still we had 80 storylovers. Tellers were Teeya Blatt, Ollie Heathwood, John Imbrogno, Sarah Temporal and Jenni Cargill-Strong....
April Stories in the Club explores Sexuality
April’s 'Stories in the Club' theme is Sexuality. Tales will be told by Mandy Nolan, Ron van Twuiver, Aditya Bellah Moon, Jude White, Spiral Orbit and Jenni Cargill-Strong. Mandy Nolan, best known in her role as comedian, comedy teacher and generous community...
Stories of Creativity at March ‘Stories in the Club’
March’s theme was Creativity and tellers were Athol Compton, Simone O’Brien, Suvira McDonald, Oonagh omZUna, Charlie Starret and me, Jenni Cargill-Strong. Each teller got 10 mins. Thanks to our wonderful photographer, Eva. Lots more photo's on FB here. Athol Compton...
First ‘Stories in the Club: Drawn from Life’ for 2018 and a record crowd
We attracted a capacity crowd last night with all 140 chairs taken! Forty people had to sit on the tables, the only thing left to sit on. There were 180-200 people all together. Athol Compton, traditional Minyunbul custodian of the First Light people (Bunjalung), gave...
