Vital Village Stories: Evenings of Tales and Togetherness

Stories have always been part of village life. They help us connect, make sense of things, and remember that we belong — and that together we can face life’s challenges stronger.

Join us for evenings of traditional tales, shared food, and community conversation. Each gathering features experienced storytellers, space for reflection, and time to share ideas over a meal.

📅 Session Dates

McLarty Hall, Shoalwater | 5:00–8:00pm
🌱 Sunday 28 September - A Taste of India
🌱 Sunday 19 October - A Taste of Scotland
🌱 Sunday 16 November - A Taste of Central Asia

The hall is spacious, welcoming, and accessible. Parking available on site.

🥗 Food & Catering

The first session is catered by the organisers.

For future sessions, we invite you to bring a plate of supper food to share — something simple and nourishing that can be enjoyed together. When you register, you’ll be able to let us know about any dietary needs, so we can help everyone feel welcome and included at the table.

At our next gathering on 16 November, we’ll be sharing a couple of tales from Central Asia and inviting a community conversation about how we might carry this storytelling series forward into next year. If you feel inspired, you’re welcome to bring a dish with a Central Asian flavour — but anything you’d love to share is perfect.

✨ What to Expect

🔹 Traditional tales from experienced storytellers
🔹 Shared meal and informal conversation
🔹 Moments of reflection and connection
🔹 A welcoming, relaxed atmosphere

🤝 Why Gather

Sharing stories and food has always brought communities together. These evenings are about more than listening — they’re about meeting new people, enjoying conversation, and feeling part of something bigger.

🌿 Come as you are — there’s a place for you at the table.

👥 Who's It For?

These gatherings are designed for adults (18+) who want to connect with others, hear meaningful stories, and reflect on what matters most. No storytelling experience needed — just curiosity and an open heart.

💬 We’ll ask a few quick questions during checkout to help us make this event welcoming and accessible for everyone.

💬 What People Are Saying

“Heartfelt, welcoming… personal, wise and ancient.”
“A wonderful evening of connection, story, community and shared food.”
“A very warm feeling of human connection, laughs and good food.”
“Entertaining and thought-provoking — thank you!”
“Beyond small talk… to conversations that mattered.”

🫶 Flexible Pricing

We offer pay-what-you-can ticketing, with suggested contributions of:
$10 Accessible – for those with limited income
$15 Concession – for students, pensioners, etc.
$20 Sustainable – covers event costs
$25 Supportive – helps others attend
Free and choose-your-own-price tickets are also available — your presence matters most.

📩 Register Now

You're welcome to join one, two, or all three sessions — just choose the dates that work for you.

🪑 Spaces are limited, and we need accurate numbers for planning and setup — so if you register and later can’t attend, please cancel your ticket as soon as possible.

🎟️ Register by selecting your session(s) from the ticket options.
If you have any trouble booking, contact Nicola:
📧 nicola@befriend.org.au

🔁 Refund Policy

We understand that life can be unpredictable.

If your plans change, please cancel at least 4 days in advance to receive a full refund — this helps us plan food and activities with care.

If you cancel after that, we may not be able to offer a refund, but your cancellation still allows someone else the chance to join us. Thank you for helping us create a thoughtful and welcoming space.

👥 Meet Your Hosts

Nicola-Jane le Breton – Community Story Weaver, traditional storyteller, Core Gift Master Facilitator. She creates spaces of belonging through story, deep listening, and connection.

Miranda Santalucia – Drama teacher and longtime host of Kwirky Kwinana Storytellers. Her warmth, humour, and passion for traditional stories bring people together in joyful, creative community.

📌 About This Project

Vital Village Stories is part of Resilient Together, a community resilience initiative funded by the National Disaster Risk Reduction (NDRR) program through WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), with support from the City of Rockingham.

The project supports more connected neighbourhoods in Rockingham and Wanneroo — helping people grow strong relationships so we can face life’s changes and challenges together.

Befriend is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping people grow meaningful connections in everyday life, so our communities can thrive through change.

🌐 Learn more: www.befriend.org.au