Calling all Werris Creek residents, a local writer would like to talk with you for her next book, a modern history of the area told through the eyes of those who live there.
Werris Creek: Through the Lens of Locals by Cate Clark aims to record the stories and experiences of people who have called the region home over the decades.
According to Cate, the book is a project told by locals, for locals. Interview subjects of all ages are welcome to contact her and share their experiences.
“I’m going to interview as many people as possible and compile that with what has happened in Werris Creek in the past 80 years. I’m speaking to a 93 year old soon, and I’m sure he will have a different perspective from someone who is say 51,” she said.
“I plan on contacting the local school to see if Year 5 and 6 are interested in writing about their experiences as well, because they are the future, and I think this work calls for a broad range of perspectives,” Cate added.
A published nonfiction author, Cate has over twenty years of editing, interviewing and writing experience. Previously she was an editor with the Gifted Journal at the NSW Association for Gifted and Talented Children.
So far Cate has worked on ten books about local family and military history, including The Black Soil Plains and Beyond which tells the story of Australia’s 1st Armoured Division and its time in the Narrabri region during World War II.
A story worth telling in the community
Just like all her previous works, Cate says her latest book has been inspired by a keen interest on her part, and the belief there is an interesting story to tell about Werris Creek.
“No one had told the story of the first Australian Armour division at all, and to find out they were in my hometown for six months in 1942 was news to me. I thought it would interest a lot of people in town, that’s why I decided to write about it,” she said.
“There was a story to tell, and I feel the same way about Werris Creek. There is a story to tell that hasn’t been told.”
At this stage, Cate is still looking for local people to interview. Anyone interested in contributing their experiences to Werris Creek: Through the Lens of Locals can contact her through Facebook, her phone number: 0408 425564, or email: Cate_and_geordie@bigpond.com.au.
Alternatively, you can find more about Cate Clark and her work on her website Write Right Media.
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