People interested in capturing memories and recollections of the past are invited to help Orange City Council's heritage team with upcoming oral history projects.
Volunteers can assist by recording stories and memories from residents in and around Orange or by transcribing interviews.
Orange Mayor Cr Reg Kidd said it's important to capture stories of our region's past.
"With our ageing population, many stories are being lost and it's important to get personal reflections and eyewitness accounts to events and places to share with future generations," Cr Reg Kidd said.
STORIES : The opportunity to capture the stories of Orange's history is open to residents.
"We have historical objects and resources such as photographs, diaries and official documents. But there's nothing like that personal anecdote or individual recollection that can bring these artefacts alive.
"This program aims to capture an individual's perspective or version of the past for the benefit of future generations."
The recorded histories will be made accessible to the public via Central West Libraries.
Planned projects include:
- Banjo Paterson Park and people's memories of the day Templer's Mill came down
- The Springs; an 1920s - 1930s Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Fringe Camp on the outskirts of Orange
- The relocation of the Department of Primary Industry to Orange in 1992
- The establishment of the Food Of Orange District (F.O.O.D) Week, almost 30 years ago
- Wentworth Main Mine at Lucknow
Community Museum and Heritage Manager Alison Russell said it is important to capture people's stories and memories before it is too late.
"We are looking for people with empathy and listening skills, people who are interested in interviewing, with computer knowledge and their own transport," Alison Russell said.
"We'll be offering training in interviewing skills. Guidelines and equipment will be provided for people who are willing either to conduct interviews or transcribe those recordings.
A position description and an Expression of Interest form is available from Council's website www.orange.nsw.gov.au
