"Truly magical": A Lasting Tale gives everyday Australians a voice
<p>Amidst a world engulfed in fake news, endless scrolling, and the pursuit of instant gratification, Dimity Brassil firmly advocates for the significance of collecting the stories and wisdom of our elderly.</p>
<p>Following the unfortunate loss of her father and sister in rapid succession, Dimity approached her 89-year-old mother, Anne, with a heartfelt request to capture her life story in her own voice. Anne graciously agreed, leading the duo to create <a href="https://www.alastingtale.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Lasting Tale</a> – a project that would later prove to empower older Australians in sharing their life stories with their loved ones, unbeknownst to Dimity at the time.</p>
<p>"When my father and sister passed away, it became apparent that we had not adequately documented their histories, especially my sister, who left behind a young child," Dimity reflects.</p>
<p>"I realised that we would soon forget the sound of her voice and that we hadn't captured many of her stories in her own words for her daughter to cherish."</p>
<p>Motivated by this realisation, Dimity was determined to do the same for her mother, a captivating individual whose accomplishments, community work, and insightful, witty observations on life remained largely unknown to even her own children, let alone her grandchildren.</p>
<p>Recently launched nationwide, A Lasting Tale now engages 40 professional journalists in recording private audio life stories for families across Australia. To date, over 1500 everyday Australians have shared their life stories for the benefit of their families.</p>
<p>By utilising the app's interactive questions or availing themselves of the professional podcasting service, families can capture essential information and stories from their loved ones. These recordings can be preserved as personalised audio series, serving as cherished mementos for generations to come.</p>
<p>A Lasting Tale provides a free mobile app and collaborates with retirement villages, palliative care providers, libraries, community organisations, and even runs specialised life story intergenerational programs in aged care facilities.</p>
<p>One of the most interesting stories of people who have used the new service is that of Carla Lidbury, whose mum, Linda, was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed not long after the recording.</p>
<p> Carla says, “When Mum was diagnosed with cancer, my sister and I knew we wanted to have her life story recorded.</p>
<p>“Mum had such an amazing memory and was really visual with how she described things. I felt it was enabling us to keep a piece of mum forever.</p>
<p>“Mum was an aerobics teacher in the 1980s and such fun. She had so many amazing stories to tell that would be lost after she passed, and luckily Mum was open to the experience and looking forward to it.”</p>
<p>Linda passed not long after recording her story.</p>
<p>Carla adds: “I didn’t listen to Mum’s audio life story until a few weeks after she passed. Wow! It was magical to hear her voice. It brought joy, I laughed, I cried.</p>
<p>“There were so many emotions and happy moments when we heard it. It made me realise she wasn’t just my Mum – she was Linda, she was a person who had her adventures and career and friends. She was amazing.”</p>
<p>Through this remarkable project, countless families have been given the gift of capturing the essence of their loved ones' lives, creating a lasting legacy that transcends time.</p>
<p>Each recorded tale becomes a precious treasure, offering solace, laughter, and tears – a reminder that behind the roles of parents and grandparents, there are individuals with vibrant histories, remarkable adventures, and a wealth of wisdom to impart.</p>
<p>A Lasting Tale reminds us to cherish and celebrate the stories that make us who we are, bridging generations and weaving a tapestry of human experiences that will endure for years to come. </p>
