Grafton First Nations Story Trail
Published on 13 June 2023
The Grafton First Nations Story Trail takes listeners on a journey back through time to capture life growing up in Grafton through the lens of four local Aboriginal women.
On this trail, Aunties Jo Randall, Geraldine Lewis, Maxine Hegedus and Gloria Strachan share, through audio recordings of stories, conversations and poems, their own memories of events and places familiar to many, including the Jacaranda Festival, Grafton Show, and Langley's Cafe.
Aunty Gloria Strachan, consultant Rebekah Hatfield, Aunty Maxine Hegedus, Aunty Geraldine Lewis and Aunty Jo Randall at the Grafton First Nations Story Trail official launch. Photos: Simon Hughes Photography
Posters have been placed in prominent locations along Prince Street in the Grafton CBD for each of the stories, with QR codes to direct people to listen to the recordings on Council's My Clarence Valley website.
The women worked with consultant Rebekah Hatfield (pictured above) to bring the project to life.
"These five stories are personal accounts of growing up in Grafton," Ms Hatfield said. "They give listeners insight into what life was like for Goorie people growing up in our community and highlight how societal attitudes and the physical space have changed over the years.
"Hopefully these stories are just the start, and our community can continue telling these personal stories and adding to the story trail."
Ms Randall was heavily involved in the project, and read a poem about the experience at the official launch held outside Flame Trees Cafe on 06 June:
"It's really good to put Grafton on the map and let people know the area we live in is just amazing," Ms Randall said in an interview with ABC North Coast.
"I love to share my knowledge about my culture and my upbringing in Grafton. The Clarence River is so unique to have the three tribes of Bundjalung, Gumbayngirr and Yaegl on it. It's a magical place."
PICTURED: (back l to r) Gloria Strachan, Geraldine Lewis, Jo Randall; (front) Maxine Hegedus and Caroline French.
This series of audio recordings is one of six themed trails to follow in the Grafton CBD as part of the Rediscover Grafton project, which is fully funded by the NSW Government's Streets As Shared Spaces program.
The trail reveal started in December last year with the popular Gnome Trail, followed by the Long Way Home Story Trail, Art Trail and the Planter Box Artworks. The sixth and final trail - The Heritage Trail - will be released soon, with ten plaques located at notable landmarks including the Clocktower, Saraton Theatre and the site of Mackelly's Drapers recounting stories of historical significance since European settlement.
Pick up a copy of the Rediscover Grafton Trail Map at the Visitor Information Centre at Grafton Regional Gallery located at 158 Fitzroy Street, Grafton.