UWA student Katie Tarling has contributed 100 hours over her university summer break helping preserve and share important aspects of Gingin’s heritage through a McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship at the Shire of Gingin.
“As part of my internship with the Shire of Gingin I worked with many community members and local government employees to compile research on the history of Woodridge, a small rural residential estate along the Moore River,” said Katie, who is studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science specialising in Population Health.
The project saw Katie, a Mount Lawley resident, travel to the Shire of Gingin to meet with people first hand and tour Woodridge, contact and collect State Library records, and work across both the Gingin and Lancelin communities.
“The video I produced demonstrated the strength and history of the community, taking the stories of locals that had lived Woodridge for decades and giving them a digital form,” she said.
“The shire archives were useful, but the real history is held by residents and their stories. Working with the community and hearing their passion for their history and community was a highlight of my experience,” said Katie.
“I was able to access newsletters and original documents in the Shire archives and to personally meet community members, to gain an understanding of their history ” she said.
Woodridge Community Association Vice President, Jenny Walker, said “It was a great pleasure to work with Katie. Working with Katie brought a sense of pride as the history of Woodridge has been portrayed for current residents and future generations.”
The experience provided Katie with meaningful professional experience in local government and she feels confident to carry these skills into her future work where she can continue to give back to the community.
“My internship demonstrated to me the interconnectedness of processes in local government, and the importance of an organisation being a part of the community they serve,” said Katie.
“This experience opened my eyes to skills I can contribute as an active citizen in my community,” she said.
“I would recommend a McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship to any student. These internships give you the opportunity to spend time in a workplace and develop professional conduct in a way that makes you reflect on your influence as an active citizen,” she said.