I was 19-years old when I walked into my first newsroom.
It was a small regional newspaper in Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast.
The power of story was evident when at my very first news meeting a charcoal plant proposed for the area was on the agenda.
The community was up in arms about the proposal.
Given the coastline was a tourism sanctuary, known for its pristine waters and national parks, a charcoal plant felt like an invasion in paradise.
What personal stories could be shared to counter the proposal? Who could we find that could talk about the impacts of this proposal on their way of life? How did a small community mount a fight against the big end of town?
My understanding of the power of shared stories, and their ability to impact change began that day.
Here at Story Matters, we work to connect story with strategy.
We help leaders to be authentic and share meaningful stories that help others to see not only what matters, but why it matters. Through this, we learn about each other and how we can together create a better world.
When you can find a meaningful connection with people – through story – it creates a strong impetus for change.
The Batemans Bay community fought the charcoal plant proposal and won.
Twenty-five years later, when I go for a swim in the clean, clear waters of Batemans Bay, I am reminded of the power of voice.