Staff / Facilitators

Liz Thompson - founder and director

Liz Thompson has been a producer of media for over two decades, creating stories for radio, television and the print media, often in collaboration with indigenous and marginalised communities. SharingStories Digital Online Project grew out of a desire to facilitate a self representational process, in which the tools are handed over and young people are able to tell their own stories. Stories told in the manner they choose to tell them, about the things they choose to share. It’s hoped that the project will ultimately include children from diverse social, religious, political and ethnic backgrounds, functioning as a creative space in where they can learn about each others lives and experiences. In this manner, as well as the obvious development of digital story telling skills and the creative delights offered, The hope is that SharingStories develops better understanding, providing greater insight into each others lives in a manner that promotes respect for difference. Other work: Sharing Our Stories , a series of books borne out of a collaboration between Liz and fourteen indigenous communities in Australia, won the 2009 Australian Awards for Excellence in Educational Publishing, voted the best resource produced across primary , secondary and tertiary publishing in the country.  Liz's films have won numerous awards, Breaking Bows and Arrows which explored reconciliation in Bougavinlle after the civil war won the United Nations Media Peace Award for Best Television, The AIBD World Award for the Promotion of Conflict Resolution and the Grand Jury Prize at the 3rd International Festival of Oceania Documentary Film ( FIFO). She has produced numerous feature length programs for ABC Radio National as well as online content, written for international print media and published over thirty books. She is currently completing a Phd at La Trobe University.

Krista Scott - curriculum consultant

Krista Scott has worked extensively in education. Leading change and innovative programs in senior education roles including International Vice Principal positions, United Kingdom, Foundation Educator in the United Arab Emirates and as a consultant across Australia. Her experience includes working across six diverse curriculum frameworks, demanding a transparent approach to determine best practice pedagogy. In SharingStories she supports teachers to increase student engagement through culturally relevant, student centered learning, working with  a creative digital storytellng practice.

Tom Murray- film and animation facilitator

 Tom Murray has a PhD in media and history, and lectures at Macquarie University in these subject areas. Tom’s media career has been split between film and television production, writing, and teaching. His debut documentary film Dhakiyarr vs the King  won the Dendy Award for Best Film at the 2004 Sydney Film Festival, the NSW Premier’s Award for History, and was selected for many international film festivals including the 2005 Sundance Film Festival.Tom’s 2008 film In My Father’s Country, was selected for IDFA Amsterdam and won the 2008 Australian Directors Guild Award for Best Direction in a Documentary Feature and has screened at some of the world’s most prestigious film festivals. This film, and the written exigesis accompanying it, were awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Commendation for Academic Excellence by Macquarie University. Tom’s most recent film Love in Our Own Time is due for release in 2012.

Tom has given guest lectures at Harvard University’s Film Study Centre and at Yale University as well as numerous other institutions in Australia and overseas. Tom has also enjoyed the opportunity of teaching filmmaking and facilitating media production in remote indigenous communites, including for The Buku Larrngay Mulka Centre in NE Arnhem Land, and for the Sharing Stories project across Australlia.

Jeremy Donovan - facilitator

 Descending from Kuku-Yalanji tribe of far Northern Queensland, Jeremy Donovan works as a Keynote speakers and Performer.  Jeremy’s exceptional skill with the didgeridoo, and extensive knowledge of his cultural heritage has earned him the recognition of his peer’s as a master storyteller and performer.

Working with Indigenous youth, Jeremy encourages and empowers young people to walk in the footprints of their culture and to draw on  their own understandings, skills and talents.He  travels to both remote and urban communities working with youth development. His work with youth is based around building self esteem, self worth and gaining a greater understanding of Identity, the same battle he once faced. His message is powerful, purpose based and straightforward. He will join the SharingStories workshops this year to support  storytelling by participants as well as working with music and performance.

 Jessie Jungalwalla - photography and music facilitator

Jessie Jungalwalla has been involved with many creative projects both commercial and educational. With a background in music, graphic design and related entrepreneurial pursuits, Jessie is now using her acquired skills in the education field. Using combined mediums of photography and street art, Jessie has run workshops in remote communities in Australia (TiTree NT, Laramba NT, Wilcannia NSW, Jabiru NT, Palm Island QLD) where the students convert their school or the main street into a walk through gallery of their own work. Jessie is passionate about helping young people  discover their creative potential.

Zulu - Hip Hop/Rap facilitator

With a penchant for multi-syllabic rhymes, Zulu is an extremely versatile lyricist he transitions seamlessly from a laid back, nonchalant style into tongue-twisting, shotgun, single-verse streamlining. Wit, catchy hooks and choruses with a punch energise a wide range of beats, from classic boom bap old school hip hop, to bass-heavy, funky, head-bopping beats to psychedelic-electro Dubstep, back again to gypsy-dancehall riddims.

Zulu is the founder of the Global Hip Hop Collective (GHC) - an artist's collective which he has created in order to help create a united front for artists and lovers of the art form worldwide - the GHC motto  "Connecting Creative People" and personal motto "Inspiration via Passion".  A strong supporter and advocate of local up and coming young talent, Zulu runs a Weekly Sunday Cypher Session in Melbourne's CBD - as well as a Weekly Topical League through the GHC facebook group. He has run Hip Hop and Creative Writing workshops with children in Community Schools throughout Victoria  and will join the SharingStories team for workshops in 2012.

Julie Ryan- project manager

Julie brings to SharingStories a wealth of project-management experience in community organisations and the Arts. For many years she has produced major music and community festivals in Byron Bay, Mullumbimby and Sydney. More recently over the past seven years she has programmed and delivered major events for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales.
 
Julie has a commitment to the welfare of the planet and throughout her career has lent her support to many worthy individuals and environmental organisations, contributing her time and energy to manage their events and to raise awareness and funds. She has a passion for encouraging artists and bringing people together to share their skills. Her mission with SharingStories is to support the team and enable the participants, teachers and communities to achieve their storytelling ambitions.

Gavin Spokes  

Gavin Spokes is a creative producer with a vast array of life experience. Formal education in Applied Science (Geology) developed his ability to analyze situations, media, people, places and stories with a uniquely methodical and pragmatic perspective. Having shifted across to the arts some six years ago when he entered the music industry as a festival director, Spokes has continued to move through a variety of roles, blending management, producing, filmmaking and photography. Intrigued by the simplest of stories, he has a strong sense of the capacity for great learning from experiential interaction. He is an avid promoter of web-based media, passionate about it’s ability to break down otherwise impenetrable social barriers. He aspires to be an advocate for those in the wider community that previously have not had a voice, nurturing otherwise hidden talent to harness opportunities and realise their potential.