Selby Community House set to launch history project to the public

Selby Community House's history project 'The People's Movement - The Birth of Selby Community House' is set to launch on Thursday 23 February. PICTURE: SUPPLIED

By Tyler Wright

Selby Community House is looking to launch a podcast series and film exploring the history of the local hub this month.

The 30 minute film titled ‘The People’s Movement – The Birth of Selby Community House’ created by local film makers will be premiered alongside a podcast produced by Emerald local Riley Jordan broadcasting the stories of those a part of the community house’s history.

Selby Community House secretary Judy Wolff said two locals, filmmaker Tadji Ulrich and writer Leah Hill were commissioned to create the film.

“It’s been a long, hard, slow process but [the film is] looking fantastic,” Wolff said.

“There are great connections with national and global events which we bring in visually and into conversation and you see the different themes of the house displayed in these various interviews.”

The ‘The People’s Movement – The Birth of Selby Community House’ launch will take place on Thursday 23 February from 6pm to 9pm, with enlarged photographs throughout the community house’s history on display in the gallery as recordings from the podcast play in the background.

“For anyone coming – and I think they’ll largely be people who’ve had a history of involvement with this community house – it should evoke some pretty strong memories of all types,” Wolff said.

Selby Community House opened in 1975 and has been a home for a community based playgroup, the Selby Folk club and community development courses since.

“Selby was a tiny forester town with no public buildings and just one shop, and a lot of isolated people in the ’70s… some didn’t have a telephone, some didn’t have a car, some were single parents.”

“There was this tiny little country town that found its voice initially through playgroups.

“It grew from there and we get to celebrate it as it is now.”

Selby Community House is located at 1 Minak Road in Selby, and those interested in attending the film, podcast and exhibition launch can visit https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-peoples-movement-the-birth-of-selby-community-house-tickets-529169108047 for more information.