'Voices from Home' Creative Initiative Project
'Voices from Home' is Surf Coast Shire’s 2026 Creative Initiative Project, led by award-winning spoken word artist Megan J Riedl.
What does Home mean to you?
'Voices from Home' is a community storytelling project inviting people across the Surf Coast Shire to share what Home means to them.
Your stories, memories and experiences will inspire artist Megan J Riedl to create new spoken word works, shared through a live community performance in November 2026.
No writing experience needed. Everyone has a story to share.
Want to follow the project?
Sign up for project updates
Get involved
Everybody’s heard of surfing at Bells Beach, remembers the lighthouse in Aireys Inlet from 90s TV or has been to Lorne’s iconic Falls Festival.
But what about life along the Barwon River in Winchelsea, the farming communities around Moriac, or the Otways around Deans Marsh?
What makes the Surf Coast Shire feel like Home?
There are lots of ways to take part: share your story online, by phone or in a workshop.
Choose an option below to find out more.
Join a creative writing workshop
Join Megan J Riedl for a guided creative writing workshop using your own memories, experiences and ideas.
Megan will take you through a series of creative writing exercises and introduce different poetic styles and techniques to help you develop your ideas into a poem or story.
Registrations are essential for the free workshop. Refreshments will be provided.
Upcoming workshops
Winchelsea Shire Hall
Date: Saturday 17 September
Time: 1am to 1.30pm
Venue: Winchelsea Shire Hall, 28 Hesse Street Winchelsea
Book Winchelsea workshop
Deans Marsh
Date: Sunday 4 October
Time: 1pm to 3.30pm
Venue: Deans Marsh Community Hall and Cottage, 10 Pennyroyal Valley Rd, Deans Marsh
Book Deans Marsh workshop
Torquay
Date: Saturday 17 October
Time: 11am to 1.30pm
Venue: Torquay Community House, 14 Price Street Torquay
Book Torquay workshop
Share your story online
Complete our online form to share a memory, a place, a person, an experience or simply a few words.
Share your story online
Leave us a voicemail
Prefer to tell us your story?
Call the 'Voices from Home Voicemail' on 03 5261 0899, listen to the recorded message and then leave your story for us. You'll have up to 5 minutes to leave your message.
Call Voices from Home Voicemail
Read a transcript of the recorded message
Please note: Your voice may be used as part of the final 'Voices from Home' community performance. If you are happy to share your story but do not want your voice used in the live performance, please clearly say this in your message.
Develop your work for performance
Are you an emerging local writer, performer or storyteller interested in developing your own writing for performance?
Eight emerging local artists will have the opportunity to work with Megan in a day long masterclass to develop up to five minutes of writing for performance.
Participating artists will then join Megan to perform their work as part of the final 'Voices from Home' community performance.
Find out more and express interest
Where is it all heading?
'Voices from Home' will culminate in a live community performance on Sunday 15 November 2026.
The performance will bring together new work created by Megan and the emerging artists involved in the project, inspired by the stories, voices and experiences shared throughout 'Voices from Home'.
More details about the performance will be announced soon.
Meet Megan J Riedl
Megan J Riedl is an award winning spoken word artist, writer and performer and the lead artist for 'Voices from Home'.
Through her practice, Megan works with storytelling, performance and community voices to explore people, place and lived experience.
Connect with Megan and follow her work
Website: Megan J Riedl
Instagram: @meganjriedl
YouTube: @meganjriedl
More information
Contact the Arts Development Team for more information:
Access information
We’re committed to making Voices from Home accessible and welcoming for everyone. If you’d like to talk about accessibility requirements or support you may need to take part, please contact the Surf Coast Shire Arts Development Team. We’re here to help.
Images of Megan J Riedl. Photography: Melissa Brennan.