Memory Lane Life Stories

29/07/2025

Have you ever lost someone you love and realised that you have heard their voice for the last time? Or realised that you didn't ask enough questions about their life. Challenging questions I know, but something most of us don't learn until we first experience big grief.
This is why I make life story audio recordings, it is why I have a podcast, and why I run workshops to help others understand the value of our personal stories and how we can capture them for all time. Once our loved ones are gone, we know the infinite value of hearing their stories just one more time...
Preserving your family's oral history workshops in August 2025. To join a workshop, contact the event organisers or book tickets on the links below. Come and explore the personal value of recording our life stories and family history in audio. It's your words, in your voice, preserved for all time for the people that love you.
Book tickets here:
Europa on Alma, https://europaonalma.com.au
Mulgrave View Club, https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/view-clubs/find-a-club/vic/mulgrave-view-club
Avondale Heights Library, https://libraryevents.mvcc.vic.gov.au/event?id=143548
Donvale Probus Club, https://donvaletunstallprobus.au
Nellie Melba Retirement Village, https://centennialliving.com.au/villages/keilor-village
Ferntree Gully View Club, https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/view-clubs/find-a-club/vic/ferntree-gully-view-club
Oakleigh Evening View Club https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/view-clubs/find-a-club/vic/oakleigh-evening-view-club

Find out more about recording your life story or the workshops: www.memorylanestories.com
Listen to When I Was Young Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../when-i-was-young/id1803865119

24/07/2025

This month, When I Was Young podcast features Merita Tabain sharing her journey as the child of new immigrants, growing up in the suburbs of Melbourne in the 1960s and 70s. Merita's story starts with the painful experience of being seen as different at school and moves into the mind-blowing moments of seeing the S*x Pistols on Count Down and discovering Australia's alternative music scene in the 1970s. With all the courage and grit of punk, as a young adult Merita pursued her dreams of travel, higher education and journalism. Over time her career moved into leadership roles in government and emergency management, something her young self never knew would be open to her. It all fits with her belief that "You don't know what life has in store for you", so she tries to appreciate what she has each day.
Thank you to Merita for sharing your beautiful story.
This is a Memory Lane Life Stories production with podcast host Nina Fromhold.
Learn more about the podcast or recording your own life story: www.memorylanestories.com
Listen to the podcast: https://share.transistor.fm/s/73c58fa3

14/07/2025

Everyone has a story to tell. Audio recordings of your life story last more than a lifetime. The sound of your voice will bring joy and keep memories alive, for the people you love. Create a gift of love with us today.
Find out more at Memory Lane Life Stories https://www.memorylanestories.com
Video by Hunting with Pixels https://www.huntingwithpixels.com

24/06/2025

New podcast episode out now!
Dr Trishima Mitra-Khan shares her childhood stories including her early experiences of family violence and how this set her on a path to research the sociology question, why do some people use violence? Come with us as we walk through Trish's childhood and early adult years in New Delhi, London, and now in Melbourne. Trish is a remarkable person who has spent her whole career working towards a goal of eliminating all forms of family violence. She is now the Chairperson of Body Safety Australia and a Group Director with Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre where she continues to use research and evidence to inform this critical work.
If you love real-life stories of interesting, authentic and outstanding people, this podcast may be for you! Made in Melbourne, I feature a special guest each month that quietly makes our world a better place. When I Was Young invites you to relax and see the world through the eyes of someone that may have had an entirely different childhood to you.
To find out more visit www.memorylanestories.com/podcastwheniwasyoung or
https://share.transistor.fm/s/42236643
Please enjoy the podcast and Like, Follow or Share to show your support.
Life Stories Australia
This is a Memory Lane Life Stories production. Recorded at the Ngarrgu library in Melbourne, Australia. Music licensed through PremiumBeat. Design by Pass the Salt Studio.

02/06/2025

Preserving your family's oral history workshops in June and July. To join a workshop, contact the event organisers or book tickets on the links below. Come and explore the value of recording our life stories and family history in audio. It's your words, in your voice, preserved for all time for the people that love you.
Book tickets here:
Notting Hill Probus Club https://nottinghillprobus.org
Essendon Historical Society https://esshissoc.org.au
Preston Library https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/preserving-family-stories-an-oral-history-workshop-tickets-1383374603679
Find out more: www.memorylanestories.com
Listen to When I Was Young Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/when-i-was-young/id1803865119

25/05/2025

New podcast episode out now! In this episode Pat shares the story of his early life growing up in Frankston North. When Pat was a young lad this was known as a very working-class town, full of commission homes, poverty, alcohol and violence. Pat's story is set in the 1960s and 70s. He talks about navigating the world as a young boy and finding community in sport. With his sharp wit and intelligence, Pat shares how he was able to gain a broader view of the world and set himself on a path out of his low socio-economic roots. Enjoy Pat's story as he shares the hardships, triumphs, wisdom and wonderful people that helped him on his way.
If you love real-life stories of interesting, authentic and outstanding people, this podcast may be for you! Made in Melbourne, I feature a special guest each month that quietly makes our world a better place. When I Was Young invites you to relax and see the world through the eyes of someone that may have had an entirely different childhood to you.
To find out more visit www.memorylanestories.com/podcastwheniwasyoung
Download the podcast at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible or PocketCasts and many others. Please enjoy the podcast and Like, Follow or Share to show your support.

13/05/2025

FREE public workshops in May - Preserving your family stories. As part of the Australian Heritage Festival, join me at the Coburg Library Merri-bek Libraries on 14 May to explore the value of recording our life stories and family history in audio. It's your words, in your voice, preserved for all time for the people that love you.
Book tickets here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/ahf_event/preserving-your-oral-history-and-family-stories-coburg/
Find out more: www.memorylanestories.com
Listen to When I Was Young Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/when-i-was-young/id1803865119

23/04/2025

When I Was Young is available now wherever you get your podcasts. This month features Kabinga Mazaba, who shares the beauty, culture and personal heartbreaks of growing up in Southern Africa in the 1980s and her journey to empower herself to create a life she loves for herself and her family.
If you love real-life stories of interesting, authentic and outstanding people, this podcast may be for you! Made in Melbourne, I feature a special guest each month that quietly makes our world a better place. When I Was Young invites you to relax and see the world through the eyes of someone that may have had an entirely different childhood to you.
To find out more visit www.memorylanestories.com/podcastwheniwasyoung
Download the podcast at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible or PocketCasts and many others. Please enjoy the podcast and Like, Follow or Share to show your support.

When I Was Young is a Podcast by Memory Lane Life Stories. It explores the formative years and turning point moments of interesting, authentic and outstanding humans. Made in Melbourne, and featuring a special guest each month that quietly makes our world a better place. We invite you to relax and s

14/04/2025

Coming up soon 22 April!

Preserving your Oral History and Family Stories
Glenroy Library
Tuesday 22 April at 10.30am
OR
Coburg Library
Wednesday 14 May at 7pm
Join us for a workshop with Nina Fromhold, Founder of Memory Lane Life Stories who will guide you through a workshop about recording and preserving your family’s oral history and stories. She will provide practical tips for participants to create do-it-yourself intergenerational interviews and recordings. This will be an interactive workshop, so come prepared for some thinking, writing and talking. National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
Book your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/cc/local-and-family-history-events-3078639

14/04/2025

Preserving your Oral History and Family Stories
Glenroy Library
Tuesday 22 April at 10.30am
OR
Coburg Library
Wednesday 14 May at 7pm
Join us for a workshop with Nina Fromhold, Founder of Memory Lane Life Stories who will guide you through a workshop about recording and preserving your family’s oral history and stories. She will provide practical tips for participants to create do-it-yourself intergenerational interviews and recordings. This will be an interactive workshop, so come prepared for some thinking, writing and talking. National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
Book your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/cc/local-and-family-history-events-3078639

01/04/2025

FREE public workshop in April. As part of the Australian Heritage Festival, join me at the Glenroy Library Merri-bek Libraries on 22 April 2025 to explore the value of recording our life stories and family history in audio. It's your words, in your voice, preserved for all time for the people that love you.
Find out more: www.memorylanestories.com
Listen to When I Was Young Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/when-i-was-young/id1803865119
Book tickets here: www.nationaltrust.org.au/ahf_event/preserving-your-oral-history-and-family-stories/ Life Stories Australia

30/03/2025

Happy Neighbour Day from the Guildford Lane Greening community activation. This morning I was volunteering here with from the and Nathan, Melbourne's iconic Carrot Man. Katherine was the inspiration behind the greening of Guildford Lane and the one to get her neighbours involved as a community project in 2020. Today Nathan and I got chatting about his love of the lane. Since 2020 this urban lane has been transformed with plants and street art into a beloved breakfast Mecca in Melbourne. Nathan was telling me today that he has donated many plants, gum nuts and decorative tiles and pasties to the lane. He loves being part of a collection of artists that bring this space to life. He said "I often sit here in this lane with my Carrot and people take pictures of me as if I'm an ornament in the garden". What a beautiful human and a lovely moment in my life story. Karenina Fromhold