SEA STORIES : Roslyn Oades & Collaborators
Oades has an extraordinary ability to take us into different worlds.
— John Callum, The Australian
An audio love-letter to the ocean, this big-hearted communal listening experience is all about the power of rituals, friendship and connection – and the joys of watching dawn break. Settle into Dixon Park Beach pre-sunrise and start your day with a moving tribute to Newy and listen to these extraordinary humans who call the water home.
Bring a chair or picnic blanket and sunnies, then claim your headset, ready to greet the morning like never before in this soul-stirring audio experience set against the glow of dawn at Dixon Park Beach. SEA STORIES is part meditation, part storytelling, and entirely uplifting – early risers get to experience this incredible audio love-letter, blending music, voice and environment.
Created by Naarm-Melbourne theatre maker, Roslyn Oades, this intimate listening journey dives into the minds of extraordinary water-loving Novocastrians – locals who know the ocean not just as a place, but as a transformative force. Inspired by their interviews and the elusive “flow state,” SEA STORIES explores how immersion in water can unlock resilience, clarity and connection, carrying us through life’s challenges.
Settle in, tune out, and let the ocean guide you.
This version of Sea Stories has been commissioned by New Annual for Newcastle, 2026.
DURATION
40 mins
SENSORY & CONTENT WARNING
Suitable for ages 14+. Minimal low-level swearing. Sunglasses recommended for viewing sunrise.
ACCESSIBILITY
This is an outdoor listening experience and may be unsuitable for people with hearing impairment. Audience members will be seated on picnic blanket. The site is accessible via the ramp to Dixon Park Beach, with certain areas having limited accessibility due to uneven terrain. If you have any questions regarding access, please contact the event organiser prior to attending.
ARTISTS & COLLABORATORS
SEA STORIES features the voices of: Jeanette Lacey, Joe Clayton, Monique Murphy, Arwin Arwin, Ken Lambert & Peter Gillam
Director/creator: Roslyn Oades
Newcastle interviews & community liaison: Janie Gibson
Sound design: Michael Toisuta & Bob Scott
Title music: Christopher Sutherland aka Abhaya Sky
Site design & Production management: Sally Hill
Publicity image: Dylan Evans
ARTIST BIO
Roslyn Oades is a Naarm/Melbourne-based theatremaker and dramaturg best-known for her documentary-inspired performance and installation projects. She enjoys bringing together artists and communities to create work in response to the 'here and now' of life in Australia. Her socially-engaged concepts have been commissioned and presented by major arts festivals around Australia and abroad. Learn more about Roslyn.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
SEA STORIES gratefully acknowledge the generous Novocastrians who participated in our research: Phillipa Anderson, Ruth Boydell, Fiona Clark, Pat Davidson, Stephen Davies, Rod Harrison, Libby Maskey, Izabela Pluta, Shellie Smith and James Wong. Thanks also to: Awabakal Descendants Traditional Owners Corporation, Miromaa Aboriginal Language and Technology Centre for their work in keeping the Awabakal language alive, Min Collie-Holmes; Sally Hill, Katherine Mclean, Chris Swersey, Anne-Maree Gibson, Penelope Green, Peter Gibson, Lachlan Campbell, Sarah Miller, The Newcastle Granny Grommets, Cooks Hill Surf Club & Newcastle City Library for their valuable support.
SEA STORIES was originally commissioned for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games "Festival 2018" with the support of Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation, City of Gold Coast and Queensland Government and Commonwealth Games Federation.