Convened by Wangkumarra/Muruwari oral historian, filmmaker storyteller, artist, theatre practitioner and poet Dr Lorina Barker, this pilot program will equip 6 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander trainees to conduct oral histories with Indigenous and non-Indigenous interviewees in institutional and community settings.

The program opens the way to paid employment through commissioned oral histories for collecting and research institutions, as well as prepares trainees to manage Indigenous community oral history projects supported by regional grants, local community organisations, or local families.

Program participants will take part in a summer school from December 2026 to February 2027. The course involves: 

• 2 interstate trips of up to 5 days (Adelaide and Sydney/Canberra)
• 10 hours of formal online learning/preparation 
• 1 recording project to be undertaken between the 2 trips. 

All travel costs will be covered and online learning hours remunerated.

For a course outline or to request an application form please contact Dr Barbara Lemon, Director Curatorial & Collection Research via select@nla.gov.au.

The program is only open to applicants of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background.

Expressions of interest close Friday 4 September.

This program is funded by the Jim Bettison and Helen James Foundation.