Report by Chetna Chawla
In a sunlit Glenorchy Library, Hobart, a group of people from diverse walks of life gathered to take part in a two-day workshop over the weekend of 22–23 March 2026, led by leading Oral Historian Dr Elaine Rabbitt from Goolarri Media Enterprises, Broome. This in-depth, nationally accredited workshop centred around recording community oral history with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and was funded by the Community Broadcasting Foundation (CBF), allowing it to be free for all participants. Their diverse backgrounds ranged from those interested in family history or community work to a wide range of academic backgrounds, museum and archival work, social work and various other media fields, including community radio. This in-person workshop was a rare opportunity for all, being the first time it was held in Tasmania, even drawing several interstate participants!
The two-day workshop allowed for detailed discussions and explorations of the roots and purpose of recording oral histories. The course material covered the practice of interviewing — from preparation, research, documentation and the interview itself, to after-interview practices, transcription considerations and data storage. We delved into the ethics, codes and practices and how cultural protocols and permissions might shape the preparation and conduct of community-based oral history projects. With Elaine’s warm guidance, these conversations and learnings paid respect to the Land on which we were sharing knowledge, and the First Nations People’s deep connection to this practice as the oldest continuous oral historians and storytellers of this Land. The importance of having cultural, historical and community awareness was the through-line throughout the course.
We were also introduced to the logistics of recording oral histories, covering recording methods such as equipment, microphone placement, technicalities of recording and environmental factors. Our short practice interviews helped to tie in all that we had learnt and was a great opportunity to test ourselves in a supportive and warm environment. Everyone was present with open minds, hearts and ears. This may not be surprising for an oral history workshop, but it is also not something to take for granted either.
What also made this training unique was the way in which Dr Rabbitt facilitated this learning. An openhearted nature, empathy, and willingness to speak their own truths and stories allowed for such rewarding discussions in relation to the course material. Bright, vulnerable, expansive and topical discussions arose from this setting—generously accompanied by many hot cups of tea—which, in turn, allowed for profound peer-learning, and this exciting mix of the personal and practical truly made this workshop so distinctive. From smaller break-out group discussions to entire group exchanges, alongside short practical exercises in smaller groups, lent us the gift of quality time to go beyond the surface of what oral history is, and specifically learning about how to embrace humility and consider broader cultural and community contexts when conducting any interview. Simply put, in Elaine’s own words, recording oral history is always about recording community history. And that was such a fine lesson to learn. Thus, the brilliant aspect of this course with its emphasis on peer-learning truly fostered a sense of community in such a short amount of time, and what better way to spend a weekend learning about connecting and recording community stories than through community itself. The relationships made along the way will be long-lasting for many.
Finally, the generosity of spirit shown by all was only possible due to Elaine exemplifying this herself: a teacher and leader whose humility, empathetic approach to her work, deep commitment to community, generosity in sharing her extensive knowledge and expertise of actively living and working in community, genuinely allowed for this workshop to be such a rare and enriching experience. Ultimately it left us all feeling inspired and humbled to be given the chance to partake in those two days.