Ten years ago a group of Hurstville residents embarked on a voyage of discovery.
Coming from many different backgrounds and age groups, they were all united in one thing - their love for storytelling.
Specifically, they wanted to set their stories down in words and share them with each other and the the rest of the world.
Next month, the Discovery Writers celebrate 10 years of telling their stories to the community.
Discovery Writers facilitator Margaret Ruckert said the group is united in their love of the art and craft of writing.
“We meet once a month at Hurstville Library to share and discuss our writing,” Margaret said.
“Joining the group has changed people. Some have said that joining the group has given them a new sort of outlook on life.
“Getting something in print or just being able to to share their stories is exciting. A lot of people have always wanted to write but haven’t had the time.
“Many want to write their memoirs. It has become a very popular form of writing. Every year we have a workshop on memoir writing to help people.
“We also help with ideas of where to get their work published. We are also a resource centre.”
The work of the group has been published in the book All Eyes on Hurstville. A recent project was supplying the text for the exhibition All Things Great and Small, now showing at the Hurstville Museum.
Margaret said the group welcomes new members.
“All are welcome,” she said. “Our members are of all ages and backgrounds including Asian, American, Indian and Irish,” she said.
“A lot of people come along who haven’t written since high school.
“We can help them edit their writing as they are starting out. They get a lot of encouragement and at each meeting we read out our work and discuss it.
“And we have a lot of humorous writing. Humour is essential.”
The Discovery Writers meet regularly on the first Tuesday of of the month from 12.30pm to 3pm in the Miles Franklin room at Hurstville Library.
But, because of the Melbourne Cup, the November meeting has been put back a week to November 14.
The Discovery Writers group will celebrate their 10th anniversary on October 14 with an afternoon tea at the Mortdale Community Centre from 1.30pm to 4pm.
Everyone is welcome to attend but bookings are encouraged by phoning Margaret on 0401 614 159.