Gael's father says she's been telling stories all her life! Gael has been telling stories professionally since 1984 and uses traditional tales to explore living in the twenty-first century.

Gael uses her own stories and poems in performance and takes an impish pleasure in twisting traditional tales so that listeners are surprised into listening to and to thinking about the stories.

Her recently published picture books The Biography of Gilbert Alexander Pig (illustrated by David Cox, Benchmark/ Cygnet, 1999) and Fish for Breakfast (illustrated by Anna Pignataro, A Window Hollow Book, Benchmark, 2002) began life as told stories and now live on in magnificently illustrated and written tales.

Gael has presented papers and workshops on aspects of storytelling at conferences in Australia and overseas and has been "artist in residence" under government funded programs.

WHERE?
Gael will travel anywhere in metropolitan Melbourne and specified dates to country areas.

COMMENTS

I attended Gael’s workshop at the DV&EKTA conference. I though Gael’s presentation was excellent and totally appropriate for Pre-School teachers. I particularly like the focus on negotiation and conflict resolution in stories which is a big issue for four year olds. I appreciated the opportunity to learn activities to use at kinder and the discussions about the subconscious and fairytales. I found the program inspirational. I have already used one of the stories Gael taught us and feeling more confident to try more. I would definitely recommend Gael as a workshop presenter and trainer about the value of storytelling.
Charlotte Fraser, Sherbourne Pre-School

I have already used one of the stories Gael taught us in the DV&EKTA workshop. I appreciated all the ideas to use with my Kindergarten children.
Anne Houghton, Kookaburra Kindergarten

I considered Gael's presentation at Frankston TAFE to be inspirational. Her use of voice, gestures and sound effects created for students a good visual picture. The weaving of personal and traditional stories was excellent. I definitely recommend Gael.
Jill Tacon, Frankston Campus, Chisolm Institute of TAFE

Thank you for your recent attendance at our MARC/MACC Conference. Your presentation was greatly appreciated. Everyone was spellbound from your first story. I hope it will inspire some of our members to have a go at storytelling themselves.
Diana Shandley, Tarwin Valley Primary School

We thoroughly enjoyed Gael's storytelling and thought the children's interest in her program was excellent. We particularly enjoyed the stories and the way they were told, the use of props and the relations of the stories to the theme for the day: getting on well together. We followed up with diary writing and class discussions on Harmony Day activities and how the stories enhanced the theme. We would certainly recommend Gael to other schools.
Sue Myers, Spotswood Primary School

Dear Gael, Thank you for your recent attendance at our MARC/MACC conference. Your presentation was greatly appreciated. Everyone was spellbound from you first story. I hope it will inspire some of our members to have a go at storytelling themselves. Thank you once more.
Diana Shandley, Tarwin Valley Primary School

Comments from MARC/MACC Conference participants:
"I really enjoyed the way in which props were used."
"You could hear a pin drop or someone chew a kool mint! I loved the use of fabric that enables many children to be included in the action. I'd love to see more storytelling and drama in schools."
"The Thylacine story and the Arthur and Gawain stories were my favourites. The use of fabrics is something I'd like to try and I think that storytelling would be quite stimulating for a group of primary children, particularly the audience participation."
"I appreciated the props and practicality of the content and hope to make use of what I saw today. It would be great for our students to experience a good storyteller like Gael."
"It was good to be reminded of the value of storytelling especially with the use of props. I hope to make use of many of the ideas shared by Gael and I would love to see Gael working with a group of children."
"Your voice modulation and ability to capture the audience's attention enhanced your great choice of stories."
The children loved listening to the stories in particular the 'rain' and 'teddy bears' stories."
A.J. Galbraith, Monash Special Development School

Many thanks for helping to make Children's Book Week in Traralgon a success. The children are still talking about the stories and wanting to recite your rhymes.
Traralgon Primary School

We really enjoyed your storytelling. We are making story maps about Epaminondas. Thank you for coming to our school.
Liddiard Road Primary School

You have a great gift for storytelling, which is appreciated by both children and teachers.
St. Joseph's Primary School, Malvern

That was the best telling of Tailypo I have ever heard. Thank you Gael.
Margaret Dunkle, Williamstown

Your stories were a useful part of our "Safe Schools" program. The sessions were effective and got the message across. - Pam McDonald, Lyndhurst Secondary College

I thought the small seminar by Gael (the Star Lady) was about metaphor and finding other ways to look at things. Also that if you want to find something look inside yourself and you'll find it there.
Grace, Hawthorn Secondary College

She showed us how we don't need to fight or argue to solve problems and showed it by telling the Three Little Pigs. She showed us a colourful rug and the story about the girl who wanted to star and never giving up when trying to do something.
Freddie, Hawthorn Secondary College

Before I thought it (metaphor) was just about poetry but it really can relate to what ever. I enjoyed last Thursday's experience and now I understand metaphor.
Laura, Hawthorn Secondary College

Quotes about
The Biography of Gilbert Alexander Pig:

It's just like "The Three Little Pigs" - only better!
Samuel Hodson (age 6)

When I read this book I laughed all over the house.
Gil Askey, Jazz trumpeter

The Biography of Gilbert Alexander Pig is a story of courage, conflict resolution and the power of music.

Gael has also worked at:

Hastings Primary School, Hastings
Dandedong Primary School, Dandenong
Glenallen SDS, Glen Waverley
Good Shepherd Lutheran School, Croydon
Haileybury College, Berwick
McKinnon Primary School, Ormond
Mt Eliza North, Mt Eliza

PROGRAMS

The Waterhole
Bee is caught by Frog, Frog is caught by Duck, Duck is caught by Fish, Fish is caught by Yabby. What will they do?
A felt board story especially suited to children from 18 months to 3 years.

The Beach
1 Little Crab explores the sand, the rocks, the water and the seaweed and he meets various sea creatures as he makes his way home. A felt board story especially suited to children from 18 months to 3 years.
2 Hermit Crab has grown too big for his shell. Octopus, Tiger Fish and the other underwater creatures help to pull him out. Similar to the story of the enormous turnip and suitable for 3-5 year olds.

PRE-SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE CENTRES 5 years 30 or 45 minutes

Teddies
There's a bear in there - in fact a whole session packed with more teddies than a toy box!

How does your garden grow?
Jack and the beanstalk, The enormous turnip, The seed that chose the King, So-Jo and her garden, where do butterflies go when it rains? Stories of growing and gardening - and full of acting out.

Australian Animals
Why are there no thylacines (Tasmanian Tigers) left? What happened when the Quoll lost her spot and when the Dingo wanted to race the Echidna? Old tales embroidered for Australian ears.

Lost and found
How did the Rooster get his diamond button back form the Sultan? Where was the Leopard's spot? What would you do if you lost your teddy?

Pig Tales
Gael tells her version of the traditional three pigs story - except there is only one pig, and he is black and plays the trumpet. (This story has been published as The biography of Gilbert Alexander Pig). Gael rounds out the session with the traditional story of The Pig and the 10 wolves and concludes by teaching the children the story of Mr Wiggle and Mr Waggle so that they can tell it themselves.

Fishy Business
Including the traditional tales of the magic fish and a telling of Gael's latest book Fish for breakfast (illustrated by Anna Pignataro, A Window Hollow Book, Benchmark, 2002)

Friends
Who is your friend - a teddy, a puppy or a person? And how did you find your friend?

Christmas Tales
Lovely tales for Christmas time - a gorgeous way to finish the year.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Grades P-6
Stories
60 minutes
These themes can be adapted to any age level with more challenging tales for older children.

Fairy Tales
Fairy tales teach us essential life skills and provide the building blocks of our literature and our culture. Gael links stories with poems and songs to round out a delightful language experience.

Learn to Listen
A special program of 'everyday' stories and poems for P-1.

Getting along together
There are so many ways in which we can learn from each other and find our own courage and compassion through the sharing of story. This session is a most enjoyable way of doing that very thing.

History in the Making
True tales of Ted from the 1920s and thirties, breaking the rules in the 1960s, and the Drive-In experience. Australian stories of real people in recent times. This really is history in the making.

Stop the Bullying
This session uses traditional stories to introduce children to the role of the bully in folk literature. Linked with comment, it creates a space for children to explore personalities and situations.

Reconciliation
Throughout the centuries there has been a need for reconciliation as there is today in Australia. This is a great opportunity to examine a complex issue through story.

Chamber of Horrors
Ghost stories, spooky tales, words to make your eyes as big as saucers. Living forever has consequences and uncovering secrets needs a brave heart!

Your Choice
Whatever it is you are doing (beach, mini-beasts, gold rush, space, dinosaurs, fresh water ecosystems), Gael has stories to tell. Why not ask?

Grades P-6
Author presentation
45-60 minutes
Gael is a published author and her presentation of the process of writing the text and preparing the script for the illustrator is both illuminating and highly entertaining. Gael discusses how the illustrator worked with the text (including roughs to final illustrations), shows how the pictures reinforce and extend the text. She discusses how the illustrations gives clues to what is coming next and, as a whole, that a picture storybook is a different artefact with its own integrity compared to storytelling. Gael concludes with the told story of Gilbert Alexander Pig and provides an opportunity for the children to ask questions.

Storytelling workshops
Prep - 2 60 minutes
Grades 3 - 4 75 minutes
Grades 5 - 6 90 minutes

Children discover for themselves in this workshop how to tell stories from memory. Through told stories, activities and small group work, children understand which method of learning stories works best for them. Fabulous language experience that enhances all aspects of a child's development. Learning to tell a story helps develop imagination, listening skills and memory. Requires adults to assist with small group work. Workshops are adjusted appropriately to the different Year levels.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Secondary School Sessions tailored to year levels and focus required by teachers.

Greek myths
Atlanta, Demeter, Medusa, Orpheus, Ulysses, King Midas.

Embracing difference
Traditional tales to show how relationships can be forged between pigs and wolves, jugglers and priests, and young men and ugly women.

Safe Schools
Stories that address the issue of bullying plus a folder of follow up activities for years 7 - 10.

LIBRARIES

Grades P-6
Stories
45 minutes
These themes can be adapted to any age level with more challenging tales for older children:
Fairy Tales
Learn to Listen
Getting along together
History in the Making
Stop the Bullying
Reconciliation
Chamber of Horrors
Your Choice

Grades P-6
Author presentation
45-60 minutes
Gael is a published author and her presentation of the process of writing the text and preparing the script for the illustrator is both illuminating and highly entertaining. Gael discusses how the illustrator worked with the text (including roughs to final illustrations), shows how the pictures reinforce and extend the text. She discusses how the text gives clues to what is coming next and, as a whole, that a picture storybook is a different artefact with its own integrity compared to storytelling. Gael concludes with the told story of Gilbert Alexander Pig and provides an opportunity for the children to ask questions.

Grades P-6
Workshops
60 minutes
Children discover for themselves in this workshop how to tell stories from memory. Through told stories, activities and small group work, children understand which method of learning stories works best for them. Fabulous language experience that enhances all aspects of a child's development. Learning to tell a story helps develop imagination, listening skills and memory. Requires adults to assist with small group work. Workshops are adjusted appropriately to the different Year levels.

CREATIVE WRITING
Stories and exercises to enrich experience, to embroider memories, to put a soul in to the words on the page. Choose from:
1. Go to the ends of the earth: stories of journey and discovery.
The Pedlar of Bally-the-rein, The girl who wanted to touch the stars, The apple tree, The Frog Prince
2. Finding a mate: some people know what they want and how to get it
Princess and the Pea (Xena Warrior Princess version), Pottle of Brains, The Blue Rose, Manka and the Judge, Vasillia the wise, Sir Gwain and the Lothly Lady.
3. Personal stories
Gael relates some of her experiences and leads a discussion analysing the structure and method she has used to create the told story. Students work with a set of "facts" to create their own stories.
The day I broke the rules. I am a hero. The Princess Syndrome

WORKSHOPS 50 minutes
50 minutes
Please note the restrictions on numbers of participants. This is to allow for the intensive nature of these workshops.

Metaphor
How can a quilt be the universe? Stories and exercises to give students an understanding of metaphor by moving from the concrete to the abstract.
This workshop is designed to assist students with both the development of their creative writing and with their ability to understand and respond to text.
The girl who wanted to touch the stars. The apple tree.

How do I learn?
Explore three methods of learning (reading, listening, and visualization) to discover which is your preferred learning style - and by the end of the session you will have a story to tell!

Stories for girls
These sessions are designed to give girls a safe place in which to explore some of the issues of growing up. It is envisaged that the insights obtained in these sessions will also enrich personal writing styles by exploring some of the ways metaphors work in the stories we listen to and tell. Follow up work in the activity sheet provided will allow an understanding of the role the "point of view" in the shaping of metaphor and the meaning we take from these stories and allow participants to begin the work of re-shaping the stories they write and hear.

Get in touch with your inner fury…but I never get angry, do I?
Stories to stimulate discussion.
Medusa, Katya and the Devil, Demeter and Persephone.

Get in touch with your inner princess: how do I become the person I want to be?
Stories of princesses to touch your heart, to recall your childhood, to give you pause, to think, to listen, for fun...
Sir Gwain and the Lothly Lady, Twelve Dancing Princesses, The Seventh Princess, The Princess and the Pea. The blue rose.

ADULT CONCERTS

Tellings
30 - 60 minutes
Storytelling on the topic of your choice: stories heard in childhood, tales of adventure or stories fit for adult ears - you tell me and I will develop a program to meet your needs. Suitable for AGMs, Christmas functions, conferences, social gatherings, fund raising dinners and other functions.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Storytelling with tiny tots and pre-schoolers

Inspiring You to Tell 45 mins
Presentation that explores the use of props,puppets, stories and song to use with the 0-5 age group.

Working with Stories 90 mins
Telling stories in pairs and groups that demonstrate how many stories you already have to work with and activities to show you how you can go on to develop confidence and ability.

Storytelling Activities 3 hours
Selecting, creating & telling stories. This 3-hour workshop is designed to maximise participants' storytelling potential. Through demonstration, discussion, games and activities, workshop participants will be inspired and discover just how many stories they have to tell. The workshop can either focus on Pre-School Story-time or Telling to Primary Children and is perfect for Librarians, Early Childhood Educators and Primary Teachers.

Storytelling with Tiny Tots and Pre-Schoolers 3 hours
Stories told, stories shared, stories remembered, stories stories stories. You will leave this workshop with at least three stories ready to tell to the 0-5 age group and be inspired to start! Many ways to tell a treasure trove of stories.

Building metaphors - Solving Problems 90 mins
Got a bed-wetter? A thumb-sucker? A tantrum thrower? Discover how to construct a story that will allow your child to find his or her own solution to the problem.

Storytelling with primary-aged children

Learn and tell a story in one hour 90 mins
This workshop allows participants to explore some of the methods of learning a story and to reflect on which of the learning methods best matches his or her own style of learning.

Telling and Writing 2 hours
Donald Davis says that literacy is a second language - children learn to speak before they learn to write. In this workshop participants work with a traditional or personal story to explore the difference and reflect on the way working from one to another informs both processes. By the end of the session participants will have practised telling their stories, have completed a written outline and have the tools necessary to complete the work.

Storytelling for Teachers 3 hours
A combination of the two workshops outlined above, designed to show how storytelling can assist with literacy, language and listening skills, drama, socialisation etc. The focus of this session would be by arrangement.

Language, Listening and Lots of activities to use 3 hours
Activities to use with the children, to enhance their language literacy and story-creation skills. This workshop powers through a wide selection of story games and activities that can be variously combined in the classroom or library.

Building Metaphors - Building Resilience 90 mins
Bullying, untidiness, forgetfulness, blended families: discover how to construct a story that will allow your child to find his or her own solution to the problem.

Storytelling with adolescents

Do you hear what I hear? 3 hours
The stories we hear as children take on meaning from the days and patterns of our lives. Listen again to some of the classic stories embedded in a narrative of an ordinary life. Then explore the stories you heard as a child and how they affected you. This session involves a study of metaphor and offers tools for discovering which stories are important to you and which stories may help your listeners make some sense of their lives.

Telling Personal Stories 3 hours
The stories within, the old tales, tales of our younger days - still so relevant for now. Learn how to assist your students in sculpting their life experience into story, creating personal tales for today to share.

The Spirit of Story: 3 hours
Advanced Storytelling Skills
Metaphor, transformative stories, the relevance of ancient stories in today's world. Participants' explore all this and their storytelling skills are challenged and enhanced.

Building Metaphors - Building Resilience 90 mins
Do you need to tackle environmental issues, subjects from a factual or scientific perspective, or just a new approach to an old theme? Are there group dynamic concerns or interpersonal communication skills that need developing? Why not tell us what you need and we will develop an appropriate program for you?

Get in touch with your inner fury…but I never get angry, do I? 2 hours
Stories to stimulate discussion and assist the whole class to share their stories.

Get in touch with your inner princess: how do I become the person I want to be? 2 hours
Stories of princesses to touch your heart, to recall your childhood, to give you pause, to think, to listen, for fun... helping your students discover who they wish to be.

Designer Workshops/ Seminar Series
What skills do you need to develop? Voice skills, stage craft, story creation? Ask and we can help. You can organise a single workshop or a series of seminars for your particular school or region. Why not call and ask how we can enrich your skills and curriculum?

Learn and tell a story in one hour
90 minute session
This workshop allows participants to explore some of the methods of learning a story and to reflect on which of the learning methods best matches his or her own style of learning.

Telling and Writing
2 hour session
Donald Davis says that literacy is a second language - children learn to speak before they learn to write. In this workshop participants work with a traditional or personal story to explore the difference between the written word and the spoken worked and reflect on the way working from one to another informs both processes. By the end of the session participants will have practised telling their stories, have completed a written outline and have the tools necessary to complete the work.

Storytelling for Teachers
3 hour session
A combination of the two workshop outlined above, designed to show how storytelling can assist with literacy, language and listening skills, drama, socialisation etc. The focus of this session would be by arrangement.

Do you hear what I hear?
3 hour session
The stories we hear as children take on meaning from the days and patterns of our lives. Listen again to some of the classic stories (Ant and Grasshopper, The Red Shoes, The Three Little Pigs) embedded in a narrative of an ordinary life. Then, explore the stories you heard as a child and how they affected you. This session involves a study of metaphor and offers tools for discovering which stories are important to you and which stories may help your listeners (children or adults) make some sense of their lives.

All of these programs can be tailored for carers, teachers or parents.

PARENT SEMINARS

When we were very young...
Storytelling for Parents of Babies, Toddlers and Pre-School Children

Stories for Babies - 0 to 18 months 1 hour
Little stories for little ears, including poems, action rhymes, songs for bath, bed and changing nappies. Moving from listening to looking and embarking on a life of reading. Leave this session with an understanding of the role of storytelling in learning and maintaining sanity plus several poems and at least one story you can tell to tinies.

Stories for Little People - 2 to 3 years 1 hour
Leave this session with an understanding of the role of storytelling in learning and maintaining carer sanity plus rhymes to make the tired, waiting, difficult times pass and learn two stories that your little ones can be taught to tell to you.

I'm big now, I go to kinder - 3 to 5 years 1 hour
A range of stories, books and poems for "big" people, plus learn two stories you can teach your pre-schoolers to tell to siblings and other family members. Learn the skills to teach them to tell and begin to explore the transformation of family memories into told stories.

Building metaphors - Solving Problems 90 mins
Got a bed-wetter? A thumb-sucker? A tantrum thrower? Discover how to construct a story that will allow your child to find his or her own solution to the problem.

Now I go to school...
Storytelling for Parents of Primary School Children

Transitional Stories - 5 to 7 years 1 hour
Moving from Kinder to Primary school can be difficult, especially as many changes can occur in families at this time - a new baby, moving house, changing jobs. These a range of stories that allow parents and children to explore the changes together.

The golden years - 6 to 10 years 1 hour
This is the time to stuff them full of the fairy tales, myths and poems that will occupy them happily for hours and help them negotiate the shoals of adolescence. Come and be reminded of the stories you already know, maybe discover some new ones and go away with a list of stories to look for.

Tell me a new story! 1 hour
Read them all? Shared telling of stories together? Got everything down pat? Yes or no, there are more stories to become familiar with, skills to learn about sharing them and fun you and your children can have extending stories into play. This seminar is full of ideas to extend your child's language literacy and imagination.

Building Metaphors - Building Resilience 90 mins
Bullying, untidiness, forgetfulness, blended families: discover how to construct a story that will allow your child to find his or her own solution to the problem.

When I was your age....
Storytelling for Parents of Adolescents

Talk about a teenage werewolf! 1 hour
Stories to keep you sane, stories to help your child as he or she travels through this challenging time. Discover new ways of seeing stories you probably already know, find new ones and see how metaphor can be used to help.

Stories for the difficult times 90 mins
Runaways, disagreements, family break-up, death, rape & violence - there are traditional tales that offer insights and comfort for all kinds of things. Ask us and we will devise a program for your needs.

Do you hear what I hear? 3 hours
The stories we hear as children take on meaning from the patterns of our lives. Listen to classic stories embedded in a narrative of an ordinary life. Then explore the stories you heard as a child and how they affected you. This session involves a study of metaphor and offers tools for discovering which stories are important to you and which stories may help your listeners make sense of their lives.

Get in touch with your inner fury…but I never get angry, do I? 2 hours
Stories to stimulate discussion and assist the whole family to share their stories.

Get in touch with your inner princess: how do I become the person I want to be? 2 hours
Stories of princesses to touch your heart, to recall your childhood, to give you pause, to think, to listen, for fun... assisting you to help your children discover who they wish to be.

Telling Personal Stories 3 hours
The stories within, the old tales, tales of our younger days - still so relevant for now. Sculpt your life experience into story, creating personal tales to share with your teens.

Designer Workshops/ Seminar Series
What skills do you need to develop? Voice skills, stage craft, story creation? Ask and we can help. You can organise a single workshop or a series of seminars to your specific needs. Call and see how we can help.