Maroondah documentary premiere: We Know Your Name, But Not Your Story

The community is invited to a special online premiere of We Know Your Name, But Not Your Story, a powerful and moving mini documentary featuring the stories of 10 diverse young people from Maroondah.

The VicHealth-funded project has been recreated by Maroondah City Council’s Youth & Children’s Services team based on an original concept from Corangamite Shire Youth Council as a method of increasing social connectedness within their community.

Using digital storytelling, We Know Your Name, But Not Your Story captures the diverse voices of 10 young people as they share their personal journey and experiences with mental health, family violence, cultural and linguistical diversity, LGBTIQA+, alternative education and disability. 

The project is a collaboration between the Youth & Children’s Services team, Year 9 students from across Maroondah and Momentum Studios, a production company that has captured and edited the stories for the short documentary film.

The film will be officially launched via two screenings, on Friday 4 September at 12.30pm and Saturday 5 September at 3pm.

Mayor Councillor Mike Symon says that while the film can be viewed and enjoyed by everyone, it has been specifically designed with the intent to influence adults who are decision-makers in young people’s lives.

“These are no longer passive recipients of programs and services, but are young people wanting a seat at the decision-making table,” Cr Symon said.

“This makes it a particularly powerful film for parents, teachers and organisations, such as local government, who are wanting to better understand the value in hearing young people’s voices,” he said.

“It is also based on the premise that knowing someone’s story can decrease assumptions and judgements and increase the likelihood of making meaningful social connections,” Cr Symon said.

To get a taste of the film ahead of the launch, one-minute ‘shorts’ of each storyteller have been featured on the Youth Services Facebook and Instagram accounts every Monday and Friday during August.

One of the storytellers is 15-year-old Satria, whose video trailer has so far been watched by 7.3K people.

“I think people totally underestimate me because I have a disability,” he says in his video.

Satria has celebral palsy, which affects his mobility and speech, but does not define who he is.

While “surprised’ by the number of views his video has attracted, he says he feels he’s been successful in getting his message across.

“Help us make decisions, but don’t make decisions for us” is a message he shares with the other storytellers.

Satria’s mother says: “The biggest challenge that Satria has had to face in life is not the challenges from his disability, it’s more the perceptions and attitudes. Society would be a better place if people didn’t make assumptions.”

“Satria has always liked the idea of being an advocate and sending that message that people with disabilities shouldn’t be underestimated. Looking at all the other young people in the video, we all have a story to tell and all our stories are different,” she said.

Satria says he is grateful to have had the opportunity to take part. He thinks it was a great thing to have done to give young people a voice.

The film will be officially launched via two Vimeo screenings to be held on Friday 4 September at 12.30pm and Saturday 5 September at 3pm.

Each screening will run for 30 minutes and includes a pre-recorded Q&A with cast and crew – the film itself is 12 minutes.

Each of the stories can be viewed on the

For more information about the project, visit the Maroondah Youth Services website or call and speak to one of the friendly team on 9294 5704.