Lake Macquarie History

Stories of Strength

Stories of Strength delves into the lives of a dozen people from across the globe and within Australia who now call Lake Macquarie home. Stories of Strength was a partnership project between 1233 ABC Newcastle and Lake Macquarie City Council in 2019.

We're in Lake Macquarie in New South Wales Australia. A community that looks pretty similar to any urban center around the country but if you look a little deeper you'll see that the people that make up this region is the thing that makes it special. So who are the people who call Lake Macquarie home and what are their stories? Here you can view images and hear stories from across the community.

photo: photo: stories of strength: anita


Anita
Anita's Macedonian heritage is deep. From church to dancing to encouraging her kids to learn language it's a part of who she is and it's something she's incredibly proud of.

Listen to Anita’s Story




photo: photo: stories of strength: brian


Brian
Brian remembers that moment when, as a nine year old boy, the ship he was on with his family pulled in Sydney Harbour marking the start of his families new life in Australia. And he's never looked back.

Listen to Brian’s Story



photo: photo: stories of strength: roselea


Roselea
Roselea has come home to Lake Macquarie after a life on the road and since returning she's quickly become a central part of her community through her work at school, with langauge and the wider community.

Listen to Roselea’s Story






photo: photo: stories of strength: elle


Elle
When asked what she misses most from home Elle said whiskey. It's not surprising when you learn she's from Scotland. She now calls Lake Macquarie home and has found her calling helping others through her work.

























photo: photo: stories of strength: hamira


Hamira
Hamira has a dream to be a pilot. As a young mum who fled war tore Afghanistan she has found herself in Lake Macquarie with the ability to follow her wildest dreams.

Listen to Hamira’s Story








photo: photo: stories of strength: bronwen


Bronwen
Bronwen calls herself a citizen of the world. Born in South Africa, moved to the UK now living in Lake Macquarie, Australia she says being a part of a multicultural community is really important to her and her families life.

Listen to Bronwen’s Story
























photo: photo: stories of strength: yingping


Yingping
Dance as it the heart of YingPing's life. Performing around Lake Macquarie in traditional Chinese dress, YingPing says it's helped her meet new people and enjoy her new life in Australia.

Listen to Yingping’s Story








photo: photo: stories of strength: jake


Jake
His mob is Kamilaroi from western New South Wales but Jake has found his home on Awabakal land and from Elders and teachers he's learning their stories, traditions and dances to share with the wider community.

Listen to Jake’s Story


photo: photo: stories of strength: ivanna


Ivanna
She's made history in her family being the first person to be granted citizenship in Australia and Ivanna wears that with pride. Her certificate is on display, an Australia flag drapes her television and she's quickly becoming part of the Lake Macquarie community.

Listen to Ivanna’s Story






photo: photo: stories of strength: julie


Julie
Moving to Australia was a little different from what you see in the movies. But when Julie Muir found Lake Macquarie she finally found home.

Listen to Julie’s Story









photo: photo: stories of strength: hamid


Hamid
Hamid made the difficult decision to move his family from Syria to Lebanon for safety. He didn't know what would come next until a chance meeting with a UNICEF officer saw him arrive in Australia to start a new life.

Listen to Hamid’s Story























photo: photo: stories of strength: carolyn


Carolyn
Making the move from New Zealand to care for a sick son Carolyn Bryant soon found love, a job she's passionate about and a new community to call home.

Listen to Carolyn’s Story



















Acknowledgement of Country

We remember and respect the Ancestors who cared for and nurtured this Country. It is in their footsteps that we travel these lands and waters. Lake Macquarie City Council acknowledges the Awabakal people and Elders past, present and future.

Council acknowledges traditional custodians throughout Australia. We commit to listening deeply to and collaborating with First Peoples in our work.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website and Council's cultural collections may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.

This website may contain place names, opinions and terms that reflect authors' views or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded. These may not be considered appropriate today.

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