Sharing students' stories through photography

Monday, 24 October 2016
 
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• Free public exhibition showcases diverse stories of WA students
• Exhibition supported with $20,000 from the Liberal National Government 

A photographic project empowering West Australian Muslim students to share their diverse stories with the wider community will be showcased as part of My Story, My Home - a free public exhibition aimed at raising cultural awareness, and building understanding and acceptance.

My Story, My Home is being supported by the Liberal National Government with a $20,000 sponsorship via the Office of Multicultural Interests' (OMI) Community Grants Program.

Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Mike Nahan said the exhibition aimed to combat stereotypes and show the diversity and the common connections within, between and across the community.

"The stories showcased through this project are stories of strength, friendship, compassion and understanding," Dr Nahan said.

"This exhibition highlights many of the values that have made Western Australia one of the world's most successful multicultural communities."

Featuring visual stories by 25 students, the exhibition was developed by the City of Belmont in partnership with World Press Photo Perth and the Australian Islamic College in Kewdale.

In preparation for the exhibition, the students worked with internationally awarded photojournalist Tim Matsui for two weeks, learning how to compose and share their visual stories online and in an exhibition.

My Story, My Home launches at the Ruth Faulkner Public Library in Cloverdale today (October 24) to commemorate United Nations Day, and is open until November 4, 2016.

Fact File

• About 40,000 Muslims live in Western Australia
• WA's Muslim community is very diverse. In addition to those born in Australia, many have migrated from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North and South America
• Information about OMI's Community Grants Program is available at http://www.omi.wa.gov.au