Editor's Note
Sandringham Stories is a narrative history project that explores and celebrates the lives of Sandringham residents through a micro-historical lens. In other words, Sandringham Stories is people-focused. By zooming in on the everyday experiences of ordinary individuals, we aim to tell a broader story of our neighbourhood's past and present.
The project began as a way to mark the International Day of Older Persons in October 2024, but as our work deepened, it became clear that Sandringham—and its people—deserved a wider platform.
I have worked with the Sandringham Project in Community Empowerment for over five years. The organisation has played a vital role in uniting our community through events like the Sandringham Spring Festival and the Floral Carpet Festival, as well as community-driven initiatives like the Moth Plant Competition. With Sandringham Stories, we set out to create a lasting document of our community, for our community. It reflects our shared vision of celebrating diversity and bringing people together in creative, unexpected ways.
Sandringham Stories exhibited at the Mount Albert Library and the Sandringham Community Centre. It is the result of over 100 hours of interviews, research, and writing. It was made possible by funding from the Albert-Eden Local Board, staff at Mt Albert Library, and the SPiCE Trustees. Special thanks to Hugh, Helga, Alison, Rānana, Fay, Sara, and Angela—you made this project possible. You can preview some of the Sandringham Stories on exhibition below.
Lize Deng
Project Lead, Sandringham Stories
Sandringham Stories is a narrative history project that explores and celebrates the lives of Sandringham residents through a micro-historical lens. In other words, Sandringham Stories is people-focused. By zooming in on the everyday experiences of ordinary individuals, we aim to tell a broader story of our neighbourhood's past and present.
The project began as a way to mark the International Day of Older Persons in October 2024, but as our work deepened, it became clear that Sandringham—and its people—deserved a wider platform.
I have worked with the Sandringham Project in Community Empowerment for over five years. The organisation has played a vital role in uniting our community through events like the Sandringham Spring Festival and the Floral Carpet Festival, as well as community-driven initiatives like the Moth Plant Competition. With Sandringham Stories, we set out to create a lasting document of our community, for our community. It reflects our shared vision of celebrating diversity and bringing people together in creative, unexpected ways.
Sandringham Stories exhibited at the Mount Albert Library and the Sandringham Community Centre. It is the result of over 100 hours of interviews, research, and writing. It was made possible by funding from the Albert-Eden Local Board, staff at Mt Albert Library, and the SPiCE Trustees. Special thanks to Hugh, Helga, Alison, Rānana, Fay, Sara, and Angela—you made this project possible. You can preview some of the Sandringham Stories on exhibition below.
Lize Deng
Project Lead, Sandringham Stories
