Flood stories to be shared at museum event

23 March 2018

Stories to become part of oral history collection

The Tweed Regional Museum is inviting the community of Murwillumbah and surrounding villages to an evening of sharing stories and reflecting on their experiences of the 2017 flood.

The special event on Wednesday 4 April will be co-presented by the Flood Story Group, residents who are working with the Museum to collect oral histories.

Kathy Egan, co-ordinator of the Flood Story project, said speakers will share their flood stories prompted by an object they salvaged from the flood.

“There will be an opportunity after the guest speakers for the audience to informally share their flood-object related stories with each other, if they choose,” Ms Egan said.

“We hope the evening will provide a caring and supportive space for those who would like to share their stories.

“The Tweed Regional Museum just feels like the right place for our community to gather and share our collective experience of a local historical event.”

Museum Director Judy Kean said objects can carry with them powerful memories associated with an event or experience.

“Objects help us remember and reflect, often in positive or transformative ways,” Ms Kean said.

“The most humble and unlikely object, and also those which may be precious, are equally powerful.”

Guest speakers on the night will include local artist Heather Matthew, whose work Preserved Memories, is made from items salvaged from her South Murwillumbah studio, and Jason Clarke, Principal of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School.

Kylie Johnston who along with husband Kieran and son Ronan was evacuated from their home in South Murwillumbah, later sharing their story with local media, will also be part of the panel.

A photograph of Kylie, heavily pregnant with son Raphael, working to salvage the family’s extensive collection of cartoon figurines featured in the Posts From the Big Flood exhibition in 2017.

An evening of sharing flood stories will take place at the Tweed Regional Museum, 2 Queensland Road, Murwillumbah on Wednesday 4 April, 5.30 for 6pm. The event is free, no bookings required. Refreshments will be served.

For more information contact the Tweed Regional Museum (02) 66702493, trm@tweed.nsw.gov.au.

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Caption: Kylie Johnston pictured in Chelle Wallace's photographic artwork 'Saving my Child's Gifts'