FACILITATING LOCAL STORIES IN POST-DISASTER REGIONAL COMMUNITIES: EVALUATION IN NARRATIVE-DRIVEN ORAL HISTORY PROJECTS

Abstract

Cyclone Yasi struck the Cassowary Coast of Northern Queensland, Australia, in the early hours of 3 February 2011, destroying many homes and property, including the destruction of the Cardwell and District Historical Society’s (CDHS) premises. With their own homes flattened, many residents were forced to live in mobile accommodation, with extended family, or leave the area altogether. The historical society members seemed, however, particularly devastated by their flattened foreshore museum and loss of their precious collection of material. A call for assistance was made through the Oral History Association of Australia’s Queensland branch (OHAA-Qld), which, along with a Queensland University of Technology (QUT) research team, sponsored a trip to best plan how they could start to pick up the pieces to rebuild the museum. This article highlights the need for communities to gather, preserve and present their own stories, in a way that is sustainable and meaningful to them – whether it is because of a disaster, or as they go about life in their contemporary communities – the key being that good advice, professional support and embedded evaluation practices at crucial moments along the way can be critically important.