Sunraysia residents will be able to hear a first-hand account of what it was like living through the horrors of the Russian attacks on Berlin in the 1940s before later becoming the Shire of Mildura’s first female Councillor, as part of the next Mallee Living Histories event at the Mildura Library.
The event will be held at 10.30am on Friday 4 November, featuring Brigitte Tornatora, who will speak in conversation with her storywriter Leanne O’Brien.
The Mallee Living Histories project captures the stories of more than 60 local residents whose experiences and reflections have been documented by volunteer writers in a series of Mallee Living Histories publications.
The project received a 2021 Australia Day Award for Community Event or Project of the Year.
Brigitte was only 13 when her parents made the decision to migrate to Australia after her family sought refuge from the Russian attacks.
They lived for a period in an abandoned hotel in the Bavarian woods prior to moving to Australia in 1954.
Brigitte is a chef who speaks three languages and is also a talented artist who has submitted work for the Archibald Prize.
Councillor for Arts, Culture and Heritage Helen Healy encouraged residents to take up this rare opportunity to gain a personal insight into what it was like as our region’s first female elected representative and her journey to Mildura.
“Brigitte would have lived through more dramatic experiences than many of us will ever know simply to escape safely to Australia, let alone what she achieved after settling in Mildura and entering public life,” Cr Healy said.
“She was a trailblazer for future female local government representatives in our region and certainly deserves an important place in our region’s history, and the Mallee Living Histories project.”
There is no need to book or register. Simply come to the Mildura Library at 10.30am on Friday 4 November.
