Storybox Parramatta showcases digital stories made by you

City of Parramatta Council invites the community to contribute to a new virtual storytelling platform which showcases imaginative stories of Parramatta’s past, present and future.

Storybox Parramatta is a 2x2m cube that will be installed in Parramatta Square later this year, featuring digital videos, photos, archival footage, sketches, poetry, portraits and quotes about life in Parramatta.

The Storybox was planned for installation this month but due to Australia-wide COVID-19 social distancing restrictions, has launched online first.  

“Storybox Parramatta is a fantastic interactive project that brings a unique approach to storytelling in public spaces. It allows our community to tap into new technology to tell their own stories about Parramatta,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer said.

“I encourage everyone, from local artists to film makers and primary school students to community groups, to share their ideas and stories.”

Council is a key partner in the Storybox Parramatta initiative, which is being led by Esem Projects in collaboration with ABC Content Ideas Lab, Western Sydney University and Story Factory.

Project partners have contributed content for the launch collection, which includes historical Parramatta footage from the ABC Archive, such as a fashion parade at Elizabeth Farm in 1959 and a Lebanese community dance performance at Cedars of Lebanon Hall in 1963. It also features video art by Kalanjay Dhir, a local artist based at Parramatta Artists’ Studios.

This collection will be regularly updated with digital content from the project partners as well as the community, including stories about interesting and unusual objects in Council’s cultural collection held at the Parramatta Heritage Centre.

“Storybox Parramatta takes our community on a journey of discovery through creative and sometimes personal digital media. With so many people contributing to this evolving project, it will provide a fascinating window into life in Parramatta through time,” Cr Dwyer said.

Storybox Parramatta is supported by Council’s Smart City Advisory Committee, including committee chair Councillor Steven Issa and Councillor Sameer Pandey.

To find out more about the Storybox project and how you can contribute your story, click here.