Lismore writers included in NSW Seniors’ Stories 2025

THE annual short story anthology, NSW Seniors’ Stories Volume 11, has featured the work of two Lismore-based writers this year.

Mary-Jane Gibson features in the 2025 edition for a third successive year with her story, The Music of Fashion, alongside Dr Ros Derrett OAM and her third work published under the program Getting Her Messages Across.

Original submitted stories reflected on how life has changed over time with responses generating tales from childhood in post-war Australia to reflections on modern technology.

Editors said the submissions were moving and insightful, reminding society that every senior has a story worth telling and hearing.

In a published statement, Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison said the collection showcased the creativity, wisdom, and lived experiences of older Australians.

“To every contributor, thank you. Your stories are a gift to us all. Storytelling is one of humanity’s oldest and most powerful traditions,” Harrison said.

“It connects generations, preserves culture, and reveals the richness of our shared history.

“Seniors’ Stories is more than a book. It’s a bridge between generations, a celebration of lifelong learning, and a testament to the power of staying engaged, curious, and connected.”

Author, entertainer, and 2GB broadcaster, Jim Haynes OAM, said writing history was like rowing a boat.

“You move forward while looking back to see where you have been and where you have come from,” Haynes said in the collection’s foreword.

“Naturally, the older we are, the further down the river we have travelled. Therefore, from an artistic point of view, if you are writing social, personal or family history, you have a much bigger landscape to look at and talk about and write about.

“History begins to make sense when it becomes a story.”

Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, said the anthology elevated the voices of seniors by sharing their personal reflections.

“It’s fantastic to have two talented creatives from Lismore represented in this collection,” Saffin said.

“Their written work is among more than 1100 personal stories of older authors which have been published since the NSW Government launched the initiative in 2013.”

The Seniors’ Stories program is open to all Seniors Card and Senior Savers Card holders and authors from all backgrounds and languages are encouraged to submit their work.

For more information, visit nsw.gov.au/community-services/seniors-card/seniors-stories