Inspire others, share your story

Brisbane’s Zion Lutheran Home Nundah’s resident and former sailor, Don Thomson, believes it’s important to share your story and “inspire other people to live their dreams”.

Mr Thomson, who placed fourth at the Brisbane to Gladstone boat race in 1982, is now sharing his life and achievements along with other Brisbane “tech-savvy” retirees.

They are sharing their life stories online and reminiscing through digital technology using a web-based initiative titled, Place Stories.

Used by about 20 residents to bring their memories to life and empowering them to capture their life achievements through text, video, audio and photographs, the interactive web-based technology has reportedly made a “huge difference” to the lives of the residents.

The facility received a $5,000 grant from the Australian Council for the Arts Community Partnerships to create the digital storytelling project.

Zion Lutheran Home lifestyle coordinator, Neal Price, recently presented a workshop to a group of Lutheran Community Care aged care service managers and employees exploring the blend of sound, images and narrative via the multi-media storytelling platform.

After completing a fellowship in London in 2008, focusing on reminiscent and oral history work, he looked for an aged care facility to enable him to carry out his work – and found Zion.

“Age care services using this resource will develop stronger connections to the wider community and within their own networks,” he says.

“I have a deep respect for the residents and it’s a bit like archaeology when I explore residents’ photo albums as I am helping them tell their stories.

“As you dig deeper you find all sorts of connections to past events, some private and some public events of national significance.”

The residents’ stories are available to view on Feral Arts Place Stories website. For more information, visit www.lccqld.org.au.