Stories Of Our Town

11/10/2025

Out filming Newcastle Pride March along the harbour. Perfect weather and a welcoming community.

09/10/2025

We've made 21 films about Newcastle's History and I think this is the most underrated. Not for what we did but because it's a great and important story. We were so fortunate to tell this tale with such passionate, well researched storytellers.

This is a story about art, science, family, survival, loss, transformation and conservation. The true story of teenage sisters Harriet and Helana Scott, avo...

06/10/2025

Thank you to the 50,000+ people who have watched this film over the last 6 months. We've got more films coming, stay tuned.

In late 1988 some 8000 glass plate negatives were discovered in the basement of a Newcastle home. These images, having been been hidden for over 60 years ha...

04/10/2025

Stories of Our Town are so proud that our good mate and fairy godmother Carol Duncan OAM has been awarded the highest award Newcastle has to offer, Freeman of The City. Carol is tireless in fighting for the rights of artist of all discipline. Her extended Radio interviews and her page Lost Newcastle are the very basis of our series of films. If we have a question about the history of Newcastle, we ask Carol and/or Lost Newcastle. She also appears in our films and always gives us concise, informative, impassioned and often hilarious stories. On top of all this, she’s just a good person, it’s in her DNA and will also drink you under the table to boot. I was so honoured to speak at this ceremony for this award, in a room surrounded by epic Novocastrians. We thank for her support, proud of her achievements and even prouder we get to call her our Mate. She always jokes that after 30+years in Newcastle that’s she’s still a blow in. I think this award proves she is not only one of us but one of the best of us. We F #$KING Love you Carol Carol Duncan OAM Lost Newcastle - Group

28/09/2025

We had a hysterical night filming drag shows for our upcoming film at Bernie's Bar. These guys were so generous and the interviews reveal a whole lot of new information. We’ve been editing frantically, cutting 30 interviews, 9 hours of interviews down to 4hrs (so far). I know this story will surprise people. Special thanks to Grace, Pat, Kit and crew at Bernie’s. As well as all the Drag Kings and Queens who gave us their truths.

19/09/2025

Another joy of making this new film has been hanging out at Bernies Bar (Formally the Star). Patrick and the team have built something really special. Patrick in bisexual and in his interview he said he never felt q***r enough for the gay venues and too fruity for Fannies (The Venue). One of the long term answers has been Bernies. Everyone we've spoken too says it a bar like no other. Older people have said they have felt this kind of community since The Star. The fact that they can have a big sandwich board outside saying "Gay Bar" shows how far Newcastle has come. On top of all this and not surprisingly, Patrick is a good bloke. Bernie's Bar

18/09/2025

More incredibly diverse interviews for our upcoming film. One of the sharpest legal minds in the city Dr Justin Ellis. The Very generous Xavier, a drag queen who also mentors baby drag queens. Finally Jaymie (Pictured with her daughter Sal) a trans women that has led a tough life but speaks of hope and resilience. Resilience, hope, family and community are at the centre of all these stories. Jaymie Swan Carnivore Films

16/09/2025

One of the true joys of making the Stories of Our Town films is constantly meeting remarkable people. Meet Rev Greer Hudson and retired Rev Rod Pattenden of Adamstown Uniting Church. Both of these people tirelessly fight to help those in our community doing it tough. Everyday they stand up for refugees, the homeless, Indigenous people and the q***r community. For them it's a calling and something they also have in common is they are both gay. Their achievement are too vast to list here but apperance in our new Gay History Of Newcastle film will make your jaw drop. Many World and Australian first have happen in this suburban Newcastle church. While the Mega-Churches have you worshipping the dollar these guys are pushing Love, Hope, Acceptance and Empathy. This film is getting very exciting. Greer Hudson Carnivore Films

11/09/2025

The filming fun continues with Miss Molly Poppinz. She has appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under as well as many stages across North America and Canada. Just a Raymond Terrace girl taking on the world one lip sync at a time. She’s also surprisingly down to earth and passionate about the local community. This will be a wild film. Molly Poppinz

10/09/2025

This is Bonnie. They are one of the strongest advocate for music and the arts in Newcastle. If you know, you know. Tireless in promoting the undiscovered and also across what is important. They also do some mean trivia at Bernies Bar. Bonnie is also non-binary and pan-sexual living their best life everyday. Cheers to Bonnie for breaking down some really complex ideas for our Gay History of Newcastle film Bonnie Anne Bernie's Bar

10/09/2025

Meet Lily and Laurie, two ex-barmaids from the Star Hotel in the 70's. They told us the warmest, funniest stories about Stella and Glenda, the drag stars/den mothers of the middle bar at the Star. Laurie (right) stayed friends with Glenda for over 50years. During the later stages of her illness, Laurie would drive her to the hospital in her old corolla. On her passing Glenda left her money to get an upgrade, the Tarago pictured. Laurie was bawling when talked of Glenda "The most beautiful woman you'd ever meet" This is a tiny story from the dozens we've gathered about the strength and kindness of the Q***r Community in Newcastle. I can't wait for you to see this film. CCarnivore Films

09/09/2025

Meet Paige and Grace. Paige (left) is 6th generation Novocastrian, a Senior Civil Engineer and also elected to Newcastle City Council in 2024. She's kind, funny and also passionate about fixing Newcastles infrastructure. As a side note she's also the first Trans-woman elected to government in NSW. During her campaign she received almost no transphobic attacks (as it should be). To my right is Grace. Grace successfully runs Bernies Bar (Formerly The Star Hotel). She and the team have rebuilt the Star into a cracking bar, community centre, safe harbour, place of healing and joy. She's a dedicated mother who as another side note is part of 4 generations of q***r women. Carnivore Films and I are having a ball making the Gay History of Newcastle and meeting such impressive people. Both these women are great assets to our Town.