Australian South Sea Islander History Month

In August 2019, we started the first “Australian South Sea Islander History Month” (#ASSIhistorymonth) sharing posts on our ASSI Stories Facebook page including stories, archival images, articles and historical documents that uncover a dark part of Australian history – the era of blackbirding. In August 25 years ago, the Australian government officially recognised Australian South Sea Islanders as […]

Watch ASSI Stories Films Online

The entire ASSI Stories series of short films is available to watch online for free! Find stories exploring Australian South Sea Islander identity, heritage and culture by first-time writer/directors Jessika Bezgovsek, Danita Merrypor, Jacintha Bezgovsek, Kerry Warkill, John Corowa, Joanne Warkill & Alison Edwards. Aunty Valda’s Story by Jessika Bezgovsek This animated documentary brings to […]

The ASSI Stories Experience – A Speech by Joanne Warkill

Written by Joanne Warkill and presented at the Australian South Sea Islander Stories Film Festival, 14 December 2014 at The Edge, Brisbane. First of all I acknowledge my God for all his blessings, secondly I acknowledge the traditional owners of this land in which we stand on today. I acknowledge all elders past and present and […]

Inaugural film festival to share Australian South Sea Islander stories

An inaugural free one-day festival of Australian South Sea Islander film, arts, food and music will be held at The Edge, Queensland in Brisbane on Sunday 14 December 2014. The event is the culmination of a 12-month project, funded by the Australian Council for the Arts. It has seen Australian South Sea Islander participants from […]

Welcome to the Australian South Sea Islander Stories Project

ASSI Stories: A multimedia project for Australian South Sea Islanders to explore identity, heritage & story. WHAT IS THE ASSI STORIES PROJECT? The Australian South Sea Islander Stories (ASSI Stories) project is about storytelling, education and awareness. In 2014, ASSI community members were invited to attend storytelling and media workshops in Brisbane, to learn how to […]