In Feb 2017, Cinetel Productions Pty Ltd was commissioned by the NSW Land and Housing Corporation and the Department of Family and Community Services to produce an oral history project on the history of the suburb of Waterloo.
This project involved the community in different ways. It allowed the residents to reflect upon and record their experiences of living in Waterloo and express their views about the proposed redevelopment.
Between June 2017 and March 2018, Frank Heimans and Graham Shirley conducted and recorded 50 interviews with 53 subjects, some in joint interviews with family members. Interviewees also included former staff of the Department, historians and local stakeholders. Five interviews were videotaped for the production of a short documentary on Waterloo. More than 60 hours of interviews were recorded and transcribed in full. Subjects were also photographed. After the interviews, a report was written.
The production team would like to thank the Land and Housing Corporation staff and the Department of Family and Community Services for their cooperation, assistance and guidance. Particular thanks are acknowledged for the help of Counterpoint Community Services and the Waterloo community.
All audio and video recordings, interview transcripts, video and project reports (Waterloo Stories) are lodged with the State Library of NSW.
For more information or if you want to get involved in future projects that will showcase the history and character of Waterloo please contact the Connect Office community engagement team by calling 9384 4134 or via email at WaterlooConnect@homes.nsw.gov.au or speak to your local Community Centre staff.
Some of the video interviews are below along with a copy of the book in pdf format.
