Grace Kang recently contributed 100 hours to assist Rail Heritage WA through an internship with the McCusker Centre for Citizenship at UWA, where she undertook research, conducted interviews, and helped plan for a proposed museum exhibition.
Grace, who is studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts at UWA, assisted the community organisation with their Displaced Persons and WA Railways project.
“The project goal is to develop a museum exhibition at Rail Heritage WA, that tells the stories of people who had worked on the railways after being displaced, including the journeys that led them to various parts of Australia, and to railways in our state,” Grace said.
Philippa Rogers, Rail Heritage WA President and Grace’s internship supervisor, said the organisation had identified that they had a shortage of personal stories of people who worked on the railways, and a much greater diversity was needed.
“The first stage of this work was to engage with families of World War 2 displaced persons who came to WA and who were contracted to spend two years working on the WA government Railways,” she said.
“This was a broad remit that required sensitivity, listening skills, good organisation skills and a respect for those families willing to share their story,
“With Grace’s work we have been able to ensure stories of people who worked on the railway will be included in an exhibition to be developed next year and become an integral part of our archives,”
As part of the team during her internship, Grace was able to contribute to discussions with museum professionals and graphic designers to ensure the future exhibition would be engaging.
Grace said that the internship project challenged her to adapt and apply her skills in new ways.
“I was involved in contacting and interviewing people for this project; people who have had friends and relatives who worked on the railways, or who were personally involved,
“I had to build connections with members of older generations, however, they generously shared their stories with me and Railway Heritage WA,
“I believe that my role in the internship will benefit the community by supporting the preservation and accessibility of meaningful stories of individual experiences… it was a privilege being involved in the project, as it is an opportunity to connect the community with our past and to learn from the stories of people who have contributed to the exhibits,” she said.