When people gather, stories are told and as individuals we are then able to live many lives. The opportunity to share stories about resilience, coping with adversity, reminding ourselves of the joy of being, encourages social cohesion and reduces the sense of isolation.

​

"... the manner in which people tell stories about their life may predict certain outcomes, such as their quality of life. In other words, people who tell happier stories about their lives tend to report higher instances of well being, compared to those who share primarily negative stories. Telling stories with a mixture of qualities is associated with shifts in well being over time."*

​

It was our intention to bring residents of the Oakey region together for Project 4401 as the community contends with a debilitating drought to rediscover hope and the benefits that come from living in rural and regional Australia. 

​

The project started in September 2019 and will finish in September 2020, with many micro-events being held to ensure all demographics have an opportunity to participate.