Strange times we are living in!
This lockdown, press conference every day, people wearing masks everywhere, empty streets.
Home schooling, working in PJs, marathon zoom meetings. Feeling trapped?
One day, we might tell our children and grandchildren about this strange time we are going through. When we stopped shaking hands, we could not see each other’s smiles. We will tell them about 1.5m distance.
And those of us, who speak a different language, who call our parents everyday who live thousands of miles away, who could not see them for years due to the travel ban, we still imagine the last hug. It is very hard. Migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, people from CALD background– may be more affected.
It's very important to record this strange time. For us, for our future generations, for policy makers.
Here you are! Yes, SiTara’s Story is organising a story writing competition for people of Canberra, the Ken Behrens.
Write your feelings, experiences, your dreams and observations in lockdown this year or last year, so we can look back in later years and remember what this pandemic was like.
We want to hear your story. Open up your mind, write anything you feel, even dreamt of. Like, what do you feel about this “new normal”? Did you struggle, how? Or were you all alone?
How do you keep in touch with your loved ones far away? Has it brought you closer to your immediate family? Has it changed your relationship with them? Have you lost anyone?
Tell us something positive – have you become a better, stronger human being?
It is crucial that we understand you.
Tell your story in a way that will make the reader cry, laugh, get goose bumps or say “Wow!”
Don’t be afraid to speak from the heart. Many people tell personal stories for the first time, and they find it to be a cathartic and productive experience. We do let you use a pen name for your story when published if you do not want to use your real name.
After you submit your work:
If we like your story,
A good story causes tears, laughter, goose bumps or any combination of these. We cannot wait to hear your stories.