A new sound and vision production, Whitford Stories, will unveil the rich history of Whitford through a collection of short videos.
It’s spearheaded by renowned filmmaker and Whitford resident Dale Bradley and seeks to gather personal stories, photographs, and films from the rural east Auckland community to create a vibrant tapestry of local history, he says.
Events and personalities featuring in Whitford’s historical stories will make highly entertaining videos, he enthuses.
“The videos will be shared online and available in several versions and lengths.”
Bradley has an impressive background in the film industry, with 40 years spent creating feature films and television dramas internationally, collaborating with stars such as Sir Ben Kingsley, Mel Gibson, and Dame Joan Collins.
A proud resident of Whitford for 25 years, Bradley is passionate about giving back to his local community through this project.
He says he’s in the research phase and actively seeking contributions from past and present residents.
“If you have memories, stories, old photographs, or even home movies related to Whitford, I encourage you to share them,” Bradley says.
“Your contributions will help preserve the unique history of the village for future generations.”
Information is online at www.whitford.kiwi and interested people can get in contact there about any contributions they have.
The Whitford Community Charitable Trust (WCCT), Whitford Residents and Ratepayers Association, and CrossNet Community Trust are supporting the initiative, recognising its importance in capturing the stories of the village’s early settlers and more recent developments.
WCCT chair Mark Spring says: “This project is crucial for two reasons. Firstly, we must honour the stories of our pioneers using the communication methods that resonate today.
“Secondly, we’re responsible to ensure our stories are told for the benefit of future generations. If we don’t tell them, who will?”
WRRA chair Darin Watts says: “It would be great to capture the history of the area. This video project is a great way of doing that.”
As part of his initial research, Bradley has met with several long-time Whitford residents.
“Many I’ve spoken to have vivid memories of the 1950s and ’60s,” he says.
“In 30 years, those memories will be cherished as historical treasures.”
The Whitford Stories project aims not only to document the past but also to create a sense of community and connection among residents.
By engaging locals in the storytelling journey, Bradley says he hopes to foster pride in the village’s heritage and encourage the sharing of memories that define the essence of Whitford.
Bradley is known for creating engaging visual content telling compelling stories.
He’s directed seven feature films and written scripts for five films, as well as producing more than 50 film and television productions throughout the world.
