Ms Cooper recently visited primary schools in Leeton, Yanco and Wamoon with Western Riverina Arts regional arts development officer Derek Motion to share excerpts from the seniors’ histories and teach students how to make simple animation flipbooks.
“The flipbooks form part of the intergenerational aspect of this project and are inspired by the stories of local seniors,” said Ms Cooper. “These will be compiled and inspire an animation to be launched alongside the book and website. Children enjoyed the stories of jumping cargo trains, fishing, riding bikes, swagmen, bonfires, hopscotch and more.”
The animation and flipbooks will be available for viewing at the launch of 'For Prosperity's Sake' at 6.30pm on Friday 26 June at the Leeton Multipurpose Centre.
“We invite everyone to come and join us in launching the book and website that will result from the 'For Prosperity's Sake' project,” said Derek Motion. “Western Riverina Arts have been delighted with the stories collected by Louise and look forward to sharing the stories of so many of our community elders and their interpretation as animations by local children.”
These creations based on the stories of local elders will also be available for viewing at the Multipurpose Centre on Saturday June 27 from 11am-1pm, when Ms Cooper will host ‘A Blast From the Past,’ an intergenerational morning of "simple but good" historic pleasures to kick off the school holidays. Come to the on Saturday June 27 for old time games, storytelling, flipbook-making and a morse code demonstration by Brian Aird.
Ms Cooper is seeking seniors to volunteer to share their favourite childhood games and stories with the children on the day. To volunteer, please contact Louise Cooper on 0499 552 536 or email loulou_cooper@live.com.au
Both events are free and open to the public. Western Riverina Arts’ 'For Prosperity's Sake' is funded by the NSW Government’s Creative Ageing Fund.