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Wednesday, 29 October 2014

An oral history gives a personal, first hand recollection. Memory is far from perfect, but the voice captures how a person felt or thought about an event, a place or time that they experienced.

Capturing the voices and these memories was a project very close to the heart of the UWA Historical Society when it set out to create 100 Voices , a hundred oral histories to celebrate the University's centenary.

Long-time friends and UWA employees Christine Shervington and Susan Marie , on behalf of the Society, set about tracking down people who could provide memories of life at UWA.

The scope of the project was broad, looking for a diversity of perspectives, from general and academic staff to graduates and members of the community whose lives have been part of the history of UWA.

The University had previously collected many significant oral histories but this program had lapsed for almost 20 years. Keen to capture as many voices as possible before they were lost forever, Ms Shervington lobbied strongly to re-start the process.

What started out as small project, one of many designed to celebrate the Centenary, quickly grew with financial support from the Australian Government Y our Community Heritage Program Grant; the UWA Centenary Planning Committee; University Faculties; the Guild, Convocation and private individuals.

"The Faculty of Arts and the Reid Library  kindly agreed to host the histories online to make them as accessible as possible," Ms Shervington said.

"An oral history is  more than a first-hand account,"  Ms Marie said. "It is living source material, and digital technology makes it possible to hear these stories anywhere and at any time."

This ongoing project depends on donations the Society receives. All money received goes directly into this project.

The Chancellor, Dr Michael Chaney AO is due to launch the site this week.

Please visit the UWA Historical Society site to hear the stories.

If you wish to donate or have your oral history recorded for posterity, please contact the Society  for information.

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