The Scribe Tribe’s release of their third volume was in full swing at Balla Balla Community Centre on the night of Wednesday, 11 June, as authors, family, and friends gathered in celebration.
The compendium is a collection of the works of over 16 local authors, many of whom had some words – or more – to play in the previous two volumes.
“This is very fulfilling, when you speak to someone, for example, Lauren (one of the authors), she has so many stories, but when I tell her to sit down, and I ask her, have you written any of this stuff?,” Rod said.
“She says no, but it’s about encouraging her to actually find her writing voice, then encouraging her to complete, so for me, this whole thing is very fulfilling.
“This is what it’s all about, this is social history that people are writing about, about multiculturalism, about coming to Australia.”
Every volume had a preceding theme, and for the third volume, it was all about people’s experiences and personal accounts on what multiculturalism in Australia means to them.
“In perhaps a hundred year’s time, people will look at these stories and think, oh, this is how normal people lived and how they came to this country,” Rod said.
“It’s not a political point of view, it’s not from an academic point of view either, but it’s from a normal person’s, everyday people’s point of view.”
Bright stints of yellow filled the centre’s open space, as the bound covers of the new book found themselves in the hands of the writers, and eager readers who were looking to find one – if not more – stories to read before bed.
There were a total of 40 people who attended the event, with a light supper being served, as Anna, the centre’s manager, opened the event.
Also in attendance were Cr Michelle Crowther and Deputy Mayor Melinda Ambros, and taking on the stage were two of the third volume’s authors, Lauren and Dianne, who touched on the importance of writing and leaving those stories and their legacies behind.
Ambros spoke on behalf of Casey, saying that the night and the space were “destined to have a lot of stories written in the walls and echoing in the hallways”.
“Creativity and bringing people together, hearing their experiences, storytelling, it’s how we can express the legacy we want to leave behind.
“I think the best thing to say is that, storytelling is key, and you don’t necessarily need to put it from pen to paper, just speaking those words and talking to someone is important enough,” she said.
Lauren, the program manager of the writing group, also spoke to the crowd, saying that she felt special to be part of such a group, one that embraces everyone and provides a space to present their own stories in a myriad of different ways.
The night ended with some light refreshments, many mingling and speaking about their stories, but also eager to begin their next writing adventure.
Writing continues to grow in Balla Balla, with their evening sessions of QLit – focusing on LGBTQIA+ storytelling – soon to begin at the centre.
As for Rod, his next chapter – of his life and novel – are soon beginning, and he is keen to mentor the Tribe for the many sessions to come.
