In Term 2 2025, the Ballarat East Neighbourhood House is offering an 8-week writing course, with local author and poet, Melissa Watts:
WRITE YOUR ANCESTRY with Melissa - REGISTER HERE
Have you been busy researching your family tree? Perhaps you have a gripping story from your family that you'd love to capture for future generations?
This course will help you to make sense of the research and include it all in a narrative to share with others or add to the family archive. Topics covered include how to write a person you've never met, writing location, incorporating research in a nuanced way, create a compelling story that people want to read, create a writing routine for yourself and how to edit your own work. You will have a chance to share your work and get feedback in a safe environment.
(Note: We will not be doing any research in the class, but you are welcome to bring your research with you. The Eureka Centre Ballarat has a number of researching family history workshops:eurekacentreballarat.com.au/events)
When and Where
All classes will run Thursdays, 12.15 pm - 2.45 pm in the Ballarat East Neighbourhood House Community Room #102, Barkly Square, Ballarat East.
8 weeks starting 8 May, 2025
Cost
8-week course, $95
This activity is a Learn Local activity, with costs subsidised through the Victorian State Government's Adult and Community Further Education (ACFE) program in partnership with the Wendouree Neighbourhood Centre.
Registration
For help, see our step-by-step guide to registering online, or contact us.
As this activity is a Learn Local activity, you will need to complete some ACFE paperwork in your first class and some subsequent classes. Please bring your Medicare card, Drivers' Licence, or other suitable ID to the first class.
Please note that a minimum of 5 people will be required to register for this course to proceed.
Questions?
For any questions, please contact us. We are available from 9.00 am - 5.00 pm Tuesdays to Fridays during school term.
Typewriter photo by Suzy Hazelwood, from pexels.
Past courses not running in Term 1, 2025
Please contact us to register your interest to attend if this course runs again in the future.
Writing Therapy with Devi
Writing is a powerful medium in allaying grief or just to get your mind sorted to feel better. The well-being attached to writing is similar to art and music therapy. Just doing the activity and exposing what is in your heart, head or soul is enough to move a person onto the activities you would prefer to do instead of feeling bogged down, confused and empty.
Using pictures to focus as well as dramatic performance tools such as the monologue, your writing voice will be captured and a sense of self restored.
Self-connection is the key to unlocking this work. Come along and join us, there will be simple guided exercises -- you do not need to be an experienced writer to participate. Or you can use this time to improve your writing skills.
Bring your IT devices or just use pen on paper or particular writing implements such as markers or whatever you feel comfortable to use. Making choices and being with others doing the same and feeling your way into the piece will help locate your inner voice/self.
Devi has been a writing tutor for U3A Townsville for two years, producing an anthology and reading performance with a grant from Arts Queensland. She has facilitated writing therapy groups in mental health sites for 3 years and ran the writing component for young mothers exhibition in Preston, Melbourne. She has degrees in Professional Writing, Social Work and Grief Counselling. More recently, she has ventured into producing writing zines with art in Ballarat.
