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Richard Evans, President Whitsundays Writers Festival
Most of us have photographs tucked away in albums, shoeboxes or drawers. Some hang on the wall or sit on the mantelpiece; others lie forgotten in a cupboard. They capture birthdays, weddings, holidays and family gatherings. But have you ever reflected on the stories hiding behind them?
A photograph freezes a moment, but it rarely tells the whole story.
Pick up an old family snap. You may recognise the faces, the occasion and the place. But what happened before the camera clicked? Who was missing? What was said, what went wrong, and what made everyone laugh? Often the most interesting part of a photograph lies just outside the frame.
Perhaps you have a picture of yourself as a child beside a new bicycle. You might remember the thrill of receiving it, the neighbour who taught you to ride, or the spectacular fall that followed. The photograph shows the bicycle and the child. Your memory supplies the adventure.
That's where writing becomes an act of discovery.
Photographs make wonderful prompts because they give us something to hold onto. We don't need to remember a whole lifetime, or even a whole year. We only need to explore one moment and see where it leads.
Nor do you need a photograph. An old postcard, a newspaper clipping, a ticket stub or a treasured family heirloom can unlock memories you thought were long gone. Look beyond the object itself and ask what it means to you.
When you start writing, don't aim for perfection. Write naturally. Describe the sounds, smells and conversations you remember. Think about how you felt then, and how you see it now. You may find a small detail you never thought important that suddenly captures the moment perfectly.
Find an old photograph, postcard or keepsake that stirs a memory. Set a timer for fifteen minutes and write about the day it captures. Aim for around 300 words.
Don't just describe what you can see. Bring the day back to life. What happened? Who was there? What were you thinking and feeling? What do you remember that the camera missed?
Keep your writing in a journal. You don't need an audience, a grand story or perfect grammar. You're simply preserving your own history, one memory at a time.
So go on, open that shoebox this week. The story you uncover may be one your family treasures for generations.
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Whitsundays Writers Festival[Text Wrapping Break]Richard Evans[Text Wrapping Break]Festival Director and President[Text Wrapping Break]hello@whitsundayswriters.com
Save the date for the 2027 Whitsundays Writers Festival, 10-12 September.
Creative Connections Whitsunday[Text Wrapping Break]Glenda Brown[Text Wrapping Break]President[Text Wrapping Break]info@creativeconnectionwhitsunday.com
Creative Connections Whitsundays supports local artists through exhibitions, workshops, and manages the Community Gallery in Proserpine.
Get in touch
If you would like to submit a poem, creative writing piece, profile suggestion, event news please contact hello@whitsundayswriters.com
Glenda Brown, President Creative Connections Whitsunday
Creative Connections Whitsunday (CCW) is welcoming fresh energy and ideas through volunteer Kairi Kalijo, who joined CCW in June and has quickly become an enthusiastic contributor.
Alongside volunteering at the Community Gallery in Proserpine, Kairi has taken the initiative to bring CCW to Airlie Beach through a stall at the Cruise Ship Markets, helping introduce local artists and their work to a new audience.
Kairi is also the creative talent behind Lemon & Rye Photography, specialising in food, wine, hospitality, and travel photography. Her passion for visual storytelling recently took her on a year-long journey through 13 Australian wine regions, documenting 42 wineries for her coffee table book, One Land, Infinite Expressions.
When she’s not behind the camera or volunteering, Kairi enjoys exploring local food venues, experimenting in the kitchen, travelling, and spending time with her dog.
CCW is grateful for Kairi’s enthusiasm, initiative, and willingness to get involved, and the contribution she is already making to the local creative community.
Looking for an original, meaningful, and affordable gift this Christmas?
Creative Connections Whitsunday is keeping its popular $100 Art Wall at the Community Gallery in Proserpine until Christmas, following the wonderful response to its recent Originals: $100 Collection event.
The Art Wall features a selection of original small artworks created by talented local artists, with a variety of styles, subjects, and creative approaches to choose from.
Whether you’re searching for a special Christmas present, a little something to brighten your own home or a gift for someone who has everything, an original artwork offers something unique and lasting.
And with every piece priced at just $100, owning original art may be more affordable than you think.
Visit the Community Gallery at 192 Main Street, Proserpine, and discover a special piece while supporting local artists.
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