Digital Histories

Digital technology provides rich possibilities for bringing history to life in engaging and creative ways.

Unlike more traditional forms of history, multimedia storytelling brings together historical research, striking imagery, soundscapes and oral history to create an immersive experience. Digital histories can take many different shapes – from iBooks and websites to audio documentaries, short films and audiovisual installations. Way Back When specialises in creating dynamic, engaging digital histories to suit any story.

Shaping our past: school inspectors in Victoria
As part of the celebrations for 150 years of public education in Victoria, Way Back When was engaged by the Department of Education to produce a short film exploring the history of school inspectors.
For 132 years, school inspectors played an invaluable role in Victoria’s education sector, bridging the gap between the classroom and the education department. This film produced with Tiny Empire Collective looks back on school inspectors and their varied and historic contributions to education, from assisting in the creation of new schools to supporting with staffing and teacher welfare and developing courses for Technical Colleges.

Bialik College 80th Anniversary Film Project
Way Back When collaborated with Visual Domain to create a series of short films about the history of Bialik College, to mark the school’s 80th anniversary in 2022. Using items from the Laura Kipen Memorial Archive, the films explore Bialik’s early foundations as a Hebrew kindergarten in Carlton in the 1940s, the pioneering leaders of the Jewish community who established and developed the school, changing campuses over time, and the food and cultural traditions that Bialik continues to embrace today as one of Melbourne’s leading Jewish schools.

City of Melton Online Exhibition
2021 marked 150 years since the Shire of Melton was first established in 1871. Way Back When worked with the City of Melton to create an online exhibition exploring the area’s rich history and the thriving community that exists today.

The exhibition draws on the history of Melton, Growth, Progress and Community Spirit, created by Way Back When and published in 2018. The online exhibition was designed by Dimity Mapstone.

Toolangi & Castella History Project
Way Back When worked with the Toolangi-Castella Local History Action Plan Group to help them with an online local history project. This multifaceted project involved oral history interviews, community engagement, written narratives, photographic images and the creation of a website as a central point for communicating and gathering the history of the Toolangi-Castella area. The website was officially launched at a community exhibition day that brought members of the Local History Action Plan Group together with members of the community, to celebrate this impressive achievement.

City of Ballarat Children’s Week Short Film
The theme for Children’s Week 2021 was ‘Children have the right to choose their own friends and safely connect with others’. To explore this theme, Way Back When collaborated with the City of Ballarat and Tiny Empire Collective on a community engagement project with children in Ballarat. Way Back When conducted online interviews with 16 local children relating to how they connect with their friends, what it means to be healthy, and what they believe makes a good life. The interview recordings were used to create a short film that was released on World Children's Day, 20 November 2021.

Chadstone 60 Years
Chadstone opened its doors to the public for the first time in 1960. It was the largest shopping centre in Australia at the time and signalled a transformation of the shopping experience away from city centres and shopping strips to a one-stop mall-style centre influenced by American shopping trends. Way Back When worked with Chadstone Shopping Centre on a short film and timeline to mark its 60th anniversary (in 2020).

Young Christian Workers Digital Timeline
Way Back When was engaged by YCW (Holdings) Melbourne to create a digital timeline of key events in the history of the Young Christian Workers (YCW) in Australia. The timeline starts with the founding of the YCW by Belgian priest Father Joseph Cardijn in the early twentieth century, and explores the impact of the movement in Australia up to the 1980s. Way Back When is also facilitating the transfer of the YCW’s extensive archival collection to State Library Victoria.

Self-Guided Digital Heritage Tour of Ballarat
Way Back When worked with Tech Studio to create a self-guided digital walking tour of Ballarat for the Ballarat Heritage Festival 2021. This tour includes 10 stops around Ballarat, with written and audio narration as well as interactive augmented reality elements such as animated images, 360-degree immersive experiences and 3D photo galleries.

Through Childhood Eyes: hidden stories of World War Two
The City of Port Phillip was a successful recipient of a grant from the Victorian government to recognise the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two. The council engaged Way Back When to collect stories from people who were children living in the area during the war years. These stories have be brought to life by current school children and young people living in the City of Port Phillip who have narrated these experiences as part of a soundscape. Written narratives of all the individuals who shared their stories have been included on this website along with photographs of the participants. The project was produced under COVID-19 restrictions and it was launched virtually on 8 November 2020. A recording of the launch is also available on the website.

The Royal Children’s Hospital: Foundation audio stories
One of the outcomes of The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Oral History Project was the creation of three audio documentaries exploring the history and fundraising efforts of the RCH Foundation. Established in 1989, the Foundation has managed and distributed funds raised by the Good Friday Appeal (GFA), auxiliary groups, Uncle Bobs Club, and others, to continue to support excellence in care, treatment, research and training that improves the lives of young people and their families.

You can listen to these stories here: https://archives.rch.org.au/exhibitions/the-foundation-2/

The Royal Children’s Hospital Alumni podcast
As part of the 150th anniversary of The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), Way Back When created a podcast about the history of the hospital, working with the RCH Alumni Association.

Gold Story website pilot
Working with Visit Ballarat and Avenue Design team, Way Back When researched, wrote and produced the content for a pilot website that tells the story of gold and its impact on the City of Ballarat.

Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria Virtual Museum: Oral History Stories
Way Back When has been working with the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) over many years, collecting stories of the Royal Melbourne Show and rural life in Victoria. More than fifty interviews have been recorded so far, covering some of the much-loved themes that are synonymous with the Show. These include animals, arts and crafts, show bags, sideshow alley, cupie dolls, wood chopping, food and wine, fireworks displays, the Garryowen competition, the Country Women’s Association (CWA), grand parades, and the Miss Show Girl competition. Profiles, audio excerpts and images from each interview are now available via the RASV Virtual Museum. The Virtual Museum provides access to the RASV Heritage Collection and showcases stories about the RASV and rural life. Visitors can explore the cultural history of RASV, view highlights from the collection, and immerse themselves in the world of the Royal Melbourne Show through exhibitions, film and oral history stories.

Ballarat Town Hall Audio Tour
Winner: Multimedia Award, Victorian Community History Awards 2019
Way Back When worked with the City of Ballarat to create an audio tour of the Ballarat Town Hall. ‘If these walls could talk…’ explores the rich and dynamic history and heritage of this iconic building. The audio tour comprises ten ‘stops’ at particular locations in the Town Hall. Way Back When collaborated with sound designer and engineer Russell Goldsmith to produce the audio component. An online version is available through the Historic Urban Landscape Ballarat website.

Springthorpe and La Trobe Local History Project
Springthorpe is a small suburb in Melbourne’s north that has a rich and dynamic history. The Springthorpe Heritage Project commenced in 2014 with grants from La Trobe University, Darebin Council and Public Record Office Victoria to create a comprehensive website celebrating the unique history of the Springthorpe area. Over the past few years, Sarah Rood from Way Back When has worked with the community to guide them through the process of undertaking oral histories, primary and secondary research, gathering images and writing web content.

The resulting website, launched in September 2018, features material on the former Mont Park Asylum and its environs, the heritage-listed buildings, horticulturally significant landscape design (including the work of Hugh Linaker and the wildlife reserve), social and cultural history (Wurundjeri people and early settler history), hospital and psychiatric care history (including WWI returned soldiers and other military history), significant historical figures (including Dr John Springthorpe and Dr Ernest Jones) and interviews with people associated with the area in the past.

You can visit the website at www.montparktospringthorpe.com

 ChillOut Daylesford
To celebrate the 21st anniversary of the ChillOut Festival in Daylesford, Way Back When created a history component on the ChillOut website, which showcases the events, people and stories that have helped to make ChillOut Australia's biggest Queer Country Pride festival. Over the years, ChillOut has played a vital role in not only advocating for the rural LGBTI community, but also giving back to the Daylesford and Hepburn region, raising over $250,000 in funds for the local community.

Through Younger Eyes: Anzac Centenary
Through Younger Eyes is an Anzac Centenary-funded project that explores the lives of Geelong residents who were affected and forever altered by World War I, through the eyes of young Geelong locals today. Way Back When worked with young actors from Geelong to produce a soundscape that explored some of the events, themes and issues associated with World War I on both the battle and home fronts. The soundscape was installed in the Johnstone Park Peace Memorial for Anzac Day 2017 and Geelong After Dark 2017, in collaboration with sound designer Russell Goldsmith.

 Daylesford Stories
Daylesford Stories explores ideas of community, identity and belonging. Through the personal stories of individual community members, this collection of material looks at how and why this region has become a place of meaning and significance for lesbians and gays, and for those who identify as part of LGBTIQ communities. The material is based on interviews with a range of community members and incorporates items from the Australian Lesbian & Gay Archives (ALGA). Developed for Culture Victoria, in conjunction with Tiny Empire Collective, the film and audio profiles, image galleries and short films on the GLBTIQ community in Daylesford can be accessed here.

Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria Educational Films
Way Back When has been working with the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) for the past three years gathering oral history testimonies from those who have been involved in various aspects of the RASV and the Royal Melbourne Show. Together with the RASV, we made two short educational films based on our filmed interviews. We have been working closely with the archivists from the RASV to incorporate archival film and sound material, photographs and other artefacts into the short films. The two films, one on dairy and beef cattle and the other on sheep, were shown at the Royal Melbourne Show in 2014 and will become a part of the RASV archives. 

National Sports Museum Audio Tours
Way Back When was engaged by the National Sports Museum to assist in redeveloping its audio tours. This exciting project challenged our storytelling skills and involve us utilising our oral history and audio production expertise. You can listen to our two completed audio guides - a family friendly guide to cricket and a thematic look at Australian sporting culture - now at the Australian Sports Museum. 

Our Stories: Sephardi Association of Victoria
Our Stories was a collaborative project between the Sephardi Association of Victoria, Way Back When and Catherine Forge Photography. This project captured some of the stories of Melbourne's small but thriving Sephardi community and the objects that have a significant place in their lives. This website:
 https://ourstoriessephardivic.wordpress.com/ showcases a small sample of the wealth of experience, culture and heritage in this rich community. 

Under the Red Ribbon: Thirty Years of the Victorian AIDS Council
Under the Red Ribbon is the story of thirty years of the Victorian AIDS Council – a courageous and determined community united by a common cause. Way Back When tells the story of this dedicated and inspiring group via the comprehensive website, where the voices of those who were there are brought to life through audiovisual documentaries and digital stories. These stories combine film footage, photographs, objects and audio to tell this moving and uplifting story.

Melbourne Trams: Step Aboard!
Trams have been an integral part of Melbourne since the late 19th century; so much so that the city and its tram system have developed in unison. Every Melburnian has certain tram routes they call their own and tales of memorable experiences riding the trams. Way Back When worked with historian Carla Pascoe and filmmaker Joel Checkley to create a short narrative film that explores the history of Melbourne’s trams from the perspectives of Trammies (tram workers) and passengers. The film was commissioned by Culture Victoria and can be accessed here.

VicRoads: Themed Audio Documentaries
As a low cost, efficient and practical method of building and extending Victoria’s road network, sprayed bituminous road surfacing played an important role in the development of an extensive network of roads in Victoria. Way Back When worked with VicRoads to create a series of themed audio documentaries that bring the process of sprayed road surfacing to life. The aim of the documentaries was to educate the public on the history of this unique part of Victoria’s past.

Brunswick Revisited: Projections from the Past
In 2012 Way Back When worked with the Moreland City Council to bring to light a little known collection of glass slides that document the history and development of Brunswick and Coburg. Originally shown in the early 1930s on a large and now superseded projector, the collection disappeared for decades before resurfacing in recent years. Fully digitised, the collection was once again brought to the people of Brunswick and the surrounding areas. In a nod to the past, Way Back When used projection, as well as light boxes and photographic displays, to showcase this beautiful collection. The exhibition also included a modern Brunswick photographic projection and soundscape, which aimed to address some of the gaps in the collection's history as well as inspire audiences to consider what aspects of Brunswick they might want to preserve for future generations. 
 

Gathering Strength: 50 Years of Engineering at Monash University
To mark the 50th anniversary of Engineering studies at Monash University and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the Faculty of Engineering, Way Back When created a comprehensive interactive website. Photographs, images, archival documents and maps are used to bring the history to life in ways not possible in a printed publication. Stories of the past 50 years in the form of narrative and personal reflections are woven together using audio documentaries and film footage.
 

With Open Arms: 75 Years of St Joseph’s Primary School 1938–2013
St Joseph’s Primary School in Springvale opened its doors to the first 45 students in 1938. To commemorate the school's 75th anniversary, Way Back When was engaged to create an online history. The dedicated website incorporates images, text and audio footage to tell the story of St Joseph's from 1938 to the present day.
 

Building a Community: A History of St Mary's Primary School 1912–2012
In 2012, St Mary’s Primary School celebrated its centenary. Way Back When was engaged by the school to prepare an online history in the form of a website to commemorate this 100 year milestone. As well as images, narrative text and an interactive timeline, the website features audio documentaries that incorporate footage from oral history interviews conducted with current and former staff and students, and members of the school and parish community: http://stmarysdandenong100.com.au

Bialik College 70th Anniversary Celebrations
In 2012 Bialik College commemorated its 70th anniversary. The celebrations centred around a temporary exhibition displayed at the school. A pivotal component of the exhibition was a series of digital stories and short films that focused on aspects of the school’s history, establishment and values. Way Back When was responsible for producing these digital stories and working with senior students to create the short films.

Old Rialto Building Interpretive Installation
The original Rialto Building and its immediate neighbour, the Winfield Building (originally the Wool Exchange), have been majestic features of the Collins Street landscape since they were constructed in the 1890s. In 2012 Way Back When was commissioned to produce a permanent installation to explore the history of these two buildings and their journey from commercial hub to luxury hotel. Two multimedia projections located in one of the foyer areas in what is now the five star hotel, InterContiental Melbourne The Rialto, work with the static text panels to communicate the history of these two Melbourne landmarks. 

Hoffman Brickworks
Hoffman Brickworks Brunswick on Dawson Street in Brunswick is a site of historical and social significance that is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. The remaining buildings on the Hoffman site provide one of few examples of brick-making practices in 19th century Australia and the site itself is a symbol of community and the emergence and development of industry in Brunswick. Way Back When worked closely with Save the Brickworks Inc. to produce a short film and digital story. The short film, filmed onsite in one of the abandoned kilns, focuses on the experiences of those involved in Save the Brickworks and their connection to the site. The digital stories combine heritage images with oral history interviews to convey a picture of what it was like to work at Hoffman’s.