Elisa: People, Places & Stories

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Elisa: People, Places & Stories

Elisa: People, Places & Stories Educational Speaker, Cultural Advocate, Storyteller. I lead projects that engage arts & culture to inspire growth & connection.
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As a creative Italian-Australian, I facilitate heritage & diversity knowledge, exploring stories that bridge people and places.

24/01/2025

I love meeting people, but what I love most is sharing insights about those I meet.

Over the years, I've had the pleasure of crossing paths 📻 with an absolute legend of a woman: meet Sarah Howells.

You can google her incredible career and achievements, but what you won’t feel online is just how good her soul truly is.

We all ask questions, kids do it constantly! But asking the right questions? That’s an entirely different skill.

As a true journalist, Sarah has a gift for asking those meaningful, thought-provoking questions that guide conversations in a way that captivates and enlightens.

Photos and social media can only show so much; they’ll never capture the energy Sarah brings, she has the keys to Communication Land. Her abilities and strengths truly shine when you’re lucky enough to be sitting across from her, even with that big, intimidating microphone in the middle.

So, keep tuning in to the radio and supporting these dedicated voices. And if you can, aim to be a little more like Sarah.

Oh, and next week? You might just hear my answers to her brilliant questions. Stay tuned!

Photo reposted

20/01/2025

🍷 A Taste of.... Heritage 🍞

As we get closer to announcing our upcoming Cultural project, I wanted to share these glimpses into the past, recently captured at the New Italy Museum 🤩 north New South Wales.
These scenes reflect the resourcefulness and resilience of Italian migrants in their first settlements.

Despite challenging living conditions, food remained at the heart of their identity. From the hanging sausages to the care put into every loaf of bread 🥖 these traditions were part of their survival and expressions of culture, community, and connection.

Stay tuned for a story that honours these roots and the incredible journeys of Italian migrants to Queensland, Australia. 🇮🇹🤝🇦🇺

SBS Italian
Il tempo della Mele Com.It.Es Queensland & Northern Territory

19/01/2025

Beyond its cities you will find Australia...

Over 1,356 km in 7 days, we explored the vastness and beauty of this incredible continent, far beyond the usual metropolitan areas. Here's a snapshot of our journey:

Day 1: From Rainbow Beach to the Bunya Mountains via Gympie, Goomeri, and Coomba Falls (276 km).

Day 3: Bunya Mountains to Ballandean with a stop at the Darling Downs Zoo (300 km).

Day 5: Ballandean to Yamba via Casino (250 km).

Day 6: Yamba to Tweed Heads via New Italy (200 km).

Day 7: Back to Rainbow Beach from Tweed Heads (330 km).

18/01/2025

My people, my 'paesani' in 1960, in my hometown of Solarussa (Sardinia), during a religious parade for Saint Gregory.

Yes women would have their hair tidy up and covered by those 'traditional scarfs' out of respect, privacy but also convenience... because if you think about it they tried to keep the hair cleaner for longer.

My grandparents house was down the left, as you look at that big door. Fast forward to the 80s when I was a kid, that corner had the best folded Pizza shop and icecream, it was my little haeven 🤩

My grandparents dressed exactly like that. How much it has changed in 60 years!

Photo via Terr'e Mesania by Tore Podda

07/01/2025

We are working on a special project, retracing the steps of those who ventured far from home to start anew. 🌍🇮🇹➡️🇦🇺
Can you guess?

Stay tuned as we launch a project that bridges continents and generations.

With Com.It.Es Queensland & Northern Territory 🤩 Consolato d’Italia in Brisbane

DownUnder

05/12/2024

If you’ve ever felt this way, know you’re not alone.
I called this poem "Every Morning"

It is dedicated to all my amazing friends who live this feeling daily. I see you. I feel you.

03/12/2024

🌈 From Rainbow Beach to Your Home 📚

Today, I'm thrilled to reshare something very close to my heart: "A Rainbow Story with Sofia and Matisse." This book is a piece of my soul, and hopefully yours.

This book is a labor of love, dedicated to all families and children who cherish stories that inspire and enlighten. With each page, you'll explore the breathtaking landscapes and heartwarming adventures of two local girls, bringing a piece of Rainbow Beach into your home. (Lexi illustrator excelled in the artwork)

As I share this story with you, it’s not just about selling a book: it's about spreading the natural beauty of this unique corner of the world. The $3 commission on each sale is a modest part of this journey, but the true reward is knowing that homes around the world will hold a book that celebrates the beauty and spirit of Rainbow Beach.

So, if you're looking for a meaningful gift that brings a story of adventure, beauty, and discovery to life, consider bringing "A Rainbow Story with Sofia and Matisse" into your family's collection. Let's cherish and pass on the love for places that touch our hearts deeply. 🌟

🎁 Available now on Amazon https://www.amazon.com.au/Rainbow-Story-Sofia-Matisse/dp/0645995606
PLEASE 💬 Share this story with someone who loves unique tales of wonder and charm!

28/11/2024

Do we need to rewrite History?

YES, if it means to include different perspectives.

We were taught that before us there were only pharaohs, kings, queens, generals...

Their Wars and battles.
Always conflict... but did they really make history?

Not quite.
It was written by the humbles, the mothers, the workers.

Without them, there would have been nothing.
History is not just great names; it's made of millions of lives.

Millions of untold stories...

Do you agree that it's time to give a voice to those who have always remained silent?

07/11/2024

It seems my letter to the editor didn't just ruffle feathers. 🗞 It cracked open the conversation. Which was my intention because there is a shared sentiment.
As I am writing the follow-up article for the December edition, KEEP SHARING YOUR INPUT. Send me a private message or stop me when you see me.

Huge thanks to Rainbow Beach Community News for publishing 📰 Grab your November copy if you haven't already!

Stay respectful and widen your horizon.

06/11/2024

Oh, s**t indeed!
There's been one consistent shared shock that has been coming up during my interviews: the old Dunny 🚽.

When Italian migrants arrived in Australia, till the 60s, they had to adjust to many things: the language barrier, the weather, the 🐍🦘🪲🐛🕷🕷🐜🪳🪳🪳🦗🦟🦟🦟, the racism and discrimination... but they all had an untold hero, the "Nightsoil Man".

Outdoor toilets were mandatory from the late 1800s till the 1960s, and it remained prevalent in the cities outer areas. Before the broader movement to installing sewarage systems and indoor plumbing across Australia.

So, you might ask, what's the deal about this Dunny? Also called Thunder Box 💨 oops, sorry!

The Dunny was a striking and vivid part of the Australian experience.
I want to highlight the intense cultural and sensory shock migrants felt when adapting to the new lives.
The dunny's smell, the oppressive heat, the maggots (g'day mate!), and the pungent phenyl acid used for sanitation and kill 7 days of family c***a load, can paint you a harsh picture.
"Just add a little bit of sawdust, she'll be right!"

The weekly visit from the heroic Nightsoil Man to take it all away, who wore protective gear like a bookkeeper must have been an unforgettable sight and symbolises the rough, unpolished reality of early living in Queensland.

Still one of the s**tt!est jobs, ever.

In this photo, there's pictured the gap between expectations and reality in their promised new land.

01/11/2024

Writing isn’t just about words flowing onto paper. It’s also about reading ➡️ for learning, verification, and inspiration. Holding "Sotto a un altro cielo " (Under a different sky) feels like holding a piece of living history. Meeting Mr. Carmelo Caruso, a true legend at 95 years old, was an honour. Sixty-five years in Queensland, yet still radiating pure Italian spirit, with so much cultural pride.

His story, like those of my grandparents and great-grandparents, carries the reality that life is what we make of it. So much pain, hope, suffering, starvation against moments of self realisation, and ambitions. History, politics, economic cycles: these forces will always be beyond our control.
Yet,
it’s our reactions, our choices, and our courage that shape our destiny.

To the remarkable souls who endured and built our world: Grazie! Thank you, your strength continues to inspire hope for the future.

29/10/2024

Writing is a Love and Hate Game ✍️

Creating a story, especially one that aims to connect with young readers (and the young at heart) is a rollercoaster.
Draft after draft,
version after version,
it's messy, full of doubt, and challenging.
I feel it is a true test of patience and passion.

Here I am, sharing a look of the 5th (or maybe 7th?) draft of my second story.
It’s still in its gestational stage, I am experimenting with new ideas that push my boundaries.
The struggle between wanting it 'done and out' and the need to 'refine and find' the right words is real!

But isn’t this the beauty of storytelling?
The process of creating something that one day will hopefully 🤞🏼 touch someone’s heart.

25/10/2024

I've always been someone with strong opinions and a passion for speaking up when something feels wrong. In Italy, I’ve never hesitated to voice my thoughts, even political ones, but here in Australia, I find myself holding back, especially when it comes to local issues.

Maybe it’s the fear of consequences, the uncertainty of what will follow as I’m seen as outsider, or the small-town dynamics that make it feel riskier. But deep down, I know that staying silent when you have something important to say doesn’t create the change you want to see.

It’s easy to feel like your voice is just one in a sea of opinions, but I’ve realised that every voice matters, especially when it comes from a place of care and community. It’s not just about being opinionated—it’s about standing up for something that could benefit everyone.

I’m learning that speaking from the heart, even when it’s hard, is how we create connection and open up the possibility for others to feel empowered too. What we fear might hold us back could actually be what moves us forward, together.

Do you ever feel the same way? Have you held back from speaking up, and if so, what’s made you step forward? Let’s talk about the power and the fear of using our voice, especially when it’s for something that matters.

Photo credit Rainbow Beach Wedding Photography

24/10/2024

The Man Behind the Flyer: Aurelio Paolo Demontis.

In choosing the image for the flyer of my local history cultural project, I didn’t want to use a stock image. Instead, I chose a photograph that holds deep personal meaning-> my nonno, Aurelio Paolo Demontis, a man who still remains somewhat of a mystery to me.

I only met him in the last 14 years of his life, but his story carried the weight of a lifetime. He served in Russia during WWII, surviving seven harrowing years in the military. The war took a toll on his body, and his kidneys failed due to the unbearable conditions he endured. He did 20 years of dialysis (3 times a week, attached to those machines, for 2 decades).

To me, he was the face of suffering, of quiet strength, of a man who got by despite it all.
He was physically frail when we shared life together, devoted to God, but he feared the German soldiers even more.

His story is one of countless others, untold and often forgotten in the broader narratives of history.
This project is a tribute not only to him but to all Italian migrants who carried their pain, their resilience, and their culture with them to Australia.

Let’s keep their stories alive and reshared.

Address

Rainbow Beach, QLD

Website

http://www.arainbowstory.com/

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Beyond its cities you will find Australia... Over 1,356 km in 7 days, we explored the vastness and beauty of this incredible continent, far beyond the usual metropolitan areas. Here's a snapshot of our journey: Day 1: From Rainbow Beach to the Bunya Mountains via Gympie, Goomeri, and Coomba Falls (276 km). Day 3: Bunya Mountains to Ballandean with a stop at the Darling Downs Zoo (300 km). Day 5: Ballandean to Yamba via Casino (250 km). Day 6: Yamba to Tweed Heads via New Italy (200 km). Day 7: Back to Rainbow Beach from Tweed Heads (330 km).

Do we need to rewrite History? YES, if it means to include different perspectives. We were taught that before us there were only pharaohs, kings, queens, generals... Their Wars and battles. Always conflict... but did they really make history? Not quite. It was written by the humbles, the mothers, the workers. Without them, there would have been nothing. History is not just great names; it's made of millions of lives. Millions of untold stories... Do you agree that it's time to give a voice to those who have always remained silent?

Do you have stories of Italian heritage waiting to be told? Do you live in the Gympie Region? If you or someone you know has Italian roots, we want to hear from you! *Contact us: [email protected] We're collecting: -Personal Stories -Cultural Artifacts -Historical Insights https://forms.gle/s4D6xPB95Q12kSut5

Writing is a Love and Hate Game ✍️ Creating a story, especially one that aims to connect with young readers (and the young at heart) is a rollercoaster. Draft after draft, version after version, it's messy, full of doubt, and challenging. I feel it is a true test of patience and passion. Here I am, sharing a look of the 5th (or maybe 7th?) draft of my second story. It’s still in its gestational stage, I am experimenting with new ideas that push my boundaries. The struggle between wanting it 'done and out' and the need to 'refine and find' the right words is real! But isn’t this the beauty of storytelling? The process of creating something that one day will hopefully 🤞🏼 touch someone’s heart. . . . #italiandownunder #author #authoRise #writersbeyondborders #EnglishBooks #storytelling #staytune #creatingadream

Ciao, exciting things are happening! I'm deep into meaningful projects that celebrate culture, connection, and storytelling. Stay tuned for more — big things are on the way!

Do you believe in God? In which one? Growing up in a Catholic place, the faith for something bigger (and taller like all the campanili - church bell towers 🔔) was planted in our essence. 🔊 Even if I have developed my own spiritual beliefs thanks to an international lifestyle, I feel at ease and at home surrounded by a sense of meaning, religious rituals, and traditions. And of course, there is lots of superstition 🤭 in my head. #churchbellsringing #italianculture #italuanauthor #oristano #cattedrale

Tell me where you are, Without telling me where you are. I'll start 🤗

What is it that I do? I have launched my YouTube Channel, feel free to subscribe and hit the 👍🏼 🇮🇹🇦🇺🏡📽👂📚 #ItalianDownUnder #CulturalAwareness #CulturalAdvocate #CulturalWaves #TheRainbowLand #podcast #book #Queensland #cultura #italianinaustralia

Insane reflections for a next level perfomance at Pranafest 2024 🫶🏽 by the one and only John Butler Trio We stood in the rain because it was absolutely worth it. Flip your phone and watch this video upside-down and watch a crystal-clear god of the music realm in action. John's latest album is called 'Running River' so I wanted to highlight the water element, the fluidity he brings to your soul. Thank you PRANAFEST 2024 RAW ORDIO Mask Events Australia you are bloody legends and great human beings. Missing you all already! #pranafest #pranafest24 #livemusic #johnbutlertrio #runningriver #reflections Live at Borumba Deer Park Video credit Elisa Seul from Elisa: People, Places & Stories

Embracing new Shores: navigating the depths of Migration vs Travel - A Sardinian's Journey to Queensland

Do you think there are differences between Travelling ⛵️and Migrating 🌏? Read and/or listen to my article on Heart Country Blog, a spare to share the Country that we create in our hearts. https://heart-country.blogspot.com/2024/04/migration-vs-traveling-insights-and.html SBS Italian Italian Business Women's Network Australia