Life writing and social history
Life writing and social history
Heartbeat of the Country – Celebrating 70 years of Miranda – The Weekly Times
2001: In 1931, The Weekly Times newspaper launched a new section dedicated to women’s issues. This became an immediate hit, and the column’s editor, Miranda, became an instant friend to thousands of women struggling to cope with the Depression. This book follows 70 years of the column that became a social institution. I was the seventh Miranda, 1993-2004, and felt honoured on behalf of country women everywhere when invited to research and write Heartbeat of the Country.
Tucker ‘n’ Tales – Stories and Recipes from Latrobe Valley and Mountain Rivers
2006: Editor and life-writing mentor for the social history book, Tucker ‘n’ Tales, stories of women and men who settled in the Latrobe Valley region of Victoria.
Down Memory Lane in Yarram
The rich social history of this small South Gippsland town comes to life and is preserved forever in the stories of nine Yarram and district residents, aged 65 to 88.
I Remember When … at Yarram
More Yarram residents share their life stories in another set of classes, and add to their region’s recorded social history, in I Remember When … At Yarram:
I Remember When Cover Yarram[1]
I Remember When … At Gormandale
I Remember When … At Gormandale, another social history gem, evolved from a series of writing workshops held over several months with town and district residents. We met at the Neighbourhood House, and between morning and afternoon sessions continued to share while chatting over a sandwich lunch. Uplifting for everyone involved.
One lady came along to the first of the series’ workshops on her 80th birthday. Another, in her 90s, caught a bus to the class from Traralgon.
She was determined not to miss the opportunity to participate and record her story for others to be inspired by and cherish. A living treasure for sure.
Soaring – Stories of Passion, Adventure and Freedom, edited by June Alexander
Soaring – Stories of Passion, Adventure and Freedom, edited by June Alexander.
Participants in life-writing classes held at the Geelong Mood Disorder Group created an amazing series of stories that reveal life can be rich, rewarding and purposeful in many ways in spite of living with a mental illness.
We need more stories like this to help raise awareness and understanding of mental illness in our communities.
As founder of Life Stories Diary my prime motivation is to connect with people who want to share their story. Why? Because your story is important. My goal with this blog is to provide a platform for you to share your story with others. Building on the accomplishments of The Diary Healer the Life Stories Diary blog will continue to be a voice for people who have experienced an eating disorder, trauma or other mental health challenge, and provide inspiration through the narrative, to live a full and meaningful life.
My nine books about eating disorders focus on learning through story-sharing. Prior to writing books, which include my memoir, I had a long career in print journalism. In 2017, I graduated as a Doctor of Philosophy (Creative Writing), researching the usefulness of journaling and writing when recovering from an eating disorder or other traumatic experience.
Today I combine my writing expertise with life experience to help others self-heal. Clients receive mentoring in narrative techniques and guidance in memoir-writing. I also share my editing expertise with people who are writing their story and wish to prepare it to publication standard. I encourage everyone to write their story. Your story counts!
Contact me: Email june@junealexander.com and on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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The diary, a book in which a daily record of events and personal experiences can be kept, offers a window into life in the past.
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