Quarries in the northern waterways of Melbourne - research project looking for volunteers

Recruitment for citizen-based storytelling study

Yuquian Lin is a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne, looking for volunteers to participate in creating new ways to record, create and share stories of the past. Yuki would like to have the volunteers recruited by August this year - contact details below.

Scarred post-industrial landscapes, shaped by quarrying and landfilling, hold interconnected memories, stories, knowledge systems, and community actions that remain largely undocumented. Current methods—archival research, on-site observations, interviews, and local participation—are often fragmented and vulnerable to loss.

This platform aims to address these gaps by creating open channels for listening, sharing, and collaboration. It empowers individuals connected to Urban Riparian Post-Quarry-Landfill (URPQL) locations to share their often-unheard voices, fostering a dynamic archive of stories and visions for these landscapes.

What it involves:

Do you have a story or vision to share about [CERES / Darebin Parklands / Wollert Landfill] or other sites with both quarrying and landfilling history?

Engage with a digital platform prototype dedicated to scarred landscapes in the Merri and Darebin Watersheds. The platform consists of two sections: one for viewing and learning, and another for sharing and creating. Participation involves exploring narratives on the website, followed by a brief 5-10 minute Qualtrics survey to share materials such as memories, stories, experiences, photos, or sketches related to the chosen case study site(s). You may also choose to spend additional time creating and uploading content.

To participate, you must:

(i) Be 18 or over

(ii) Have previous work / live / study experience at [CERES / Darebin Parklands / Wollert Landfill] or other sites that used to be a quarry then turned into landfill/tip along Darebin Creek or Merri Creek.

(iii) To participate in the digital platform interaction, a smart device and connection to the internet will be needed.

Here are some links to simplify the process:

Digital Platform Prototype & Overall mapping of all existing shared stories: URPQL Digital Prototype

Consent Form and Plain Language Statement: Consent Form and Plain Language Statement

Participate in a 5-10 min survey: Qualtrics Survey | Share your stories or visions on quarry and landfill landscapes

Thank you in advance for your participation. Focused on landscapes along Merri and Darebin Creek that share the trajectory of transitioning from quarries to landfills, the project hopes to achieve both social and scientific outcomes, unlocking the deep and often-unseen socio-ecological, cultural, and educational potentials of these often-hidden scarred landscapes. Together, we can reflect on and reimagine these landscapes for generations to come.

For more information or if you encounter any issues with the website, please feel free to contact Yuki at yuqian.lin1@student.unimelb.edu.au