In 2018 we completed an oral history project in Haberfield, NSW. The aim was to map, document and showcase the neighbourhood’s cultural diversity through interviews with gardeners and photographs of gardens.

The gardeners were recruited through the Haberfield Association, among participants of the annual Haberfield Garden Competition, and other social networks.

We approached oral history as a a method based on participatory storytelling. The format of the interviews was unstructured and meandering: it involved much time in kitchens and gardens.

Plants often interrupted the direction of narrations, and prompted short stories. As well as listening to people’s stories, we were observing, touching, smelling, tasting, and listening to their gardens. The interviews were then transcribed and content coded. Edited versions were sent to participants to ensure they recognised the tone and the voice, as well as content, as their own. They were also invited to reedit the interviews. In this article excerpts from these edited oral histories are used to guide our findings.

Jeff Malyon

Takis Constantopedos

Gordon and Rina

Aine and Barry

Vincent Crow

Angie Gallinaro

Jean Kidd