THE age-old tradition of storytelling is to the fore in Save the Children’s “Our Yarning” program, which is hosting a series of writers’ workshops  and activities in Canberra this week.

Noted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander “story gatherer”, Julie Owen from Broome,  is in town as the cultural adviser for the “Library For All”, which has  launched a global app and has for more than 10 years been, connecting with indigenous organisations in about 13 countries with, more recently, the aim of  creating stories for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

The low level of literacy, in indigenous communities, she says, is  a matter is a matter of great concern because the children weren’t having access to books and libraries and resources for learning, so the idea of the app is to capture the stories of local people – parents, teachers and community members and put them into books, so kids can have access to “mirror books,” where they can see themselves in the stories.

Public lecture by  Dr Julie Owen, University of Canberra, 11 Kirinari Street, Bruce, Wednesday,  September 21 at 5pm, followed by a conversation with adventurer Huw Kingston, 6.15pm. Tockets via eventbrite.com.au 

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