Oral History

Would you like to learn what Holroyd was like in times gone by, from the people who were there?

The Holroyd Oral History Project has been digitally copied and is available for everyone to listen to in the Tony Maston Room, at Merrylands Central Library.

There is a list of interviews ordered by name and a list of interviews ordered by recording number. A folder with interview logs, summarising some of the interview contents is also available in the Tony Maston Room.

The Holroyd Oral History Project is a series of interviews of local residents, community workers, and business people discussing their experiences living, playing, studying, volunteering and working in Holroyd, and describing features of the built and natural environment of times gone by. Subsequent Oral History interviews are also available.

These interviews were recorded by the Holroyd Senior Citizens Week Committee in conjunction with Merrylands Community Health Centre, between 1990 and 1992. With the aid of a Library Development Grant through the Library Council of NSW in 2007, Holroyd City Council Library Service was able to make digital copies of the Holroyd Oral History Project audio cassettes, to help preserve the original tapes, and to provide better access to the recordings to the community.

Unfortunately rights issues prevent Holroyd City Council making these recordings available outside of the Library building. If you, or a relative, took part in the Holroyd Oral History Project, the Library Service would like to hear from you to discuss making these recordings more accessible to the public.

For more information about the Oral History collection and access to it, please contact Holroyd City Council’s Local Studies Librarian, Stephen Coppins, on (02) 9840 9789 or stephen.coppins@holroyd.nsw.gov.au.

Talking Holroyd

Holroyd City Council is expanding its Oral History collection.

Do you, or someone you know, have a story to share of your experiences living, playing, studying, volunteering or working in the Holroyd Local Government area?

Can you help describe what suburbs, homes, schools, businesses, transport and even people were like in times past?

Council is seeking contributions from residents, business owners, workers or volunteers of Holroyd, past and present, to help expand our community’s memory of what Holroyd used to be like.

If you (or someone you know), fit this description, Council would like to hear from you.

For more information about registering yourself, or someone else to take part in an oral history interview, please contact Holroyd City Council’s Local Studies Librarian, or please complete the registration form and send it to:

Holroyd City Council Library Service
Locked Bag 5
MERRYLANDS NSW 2160