Truth Telling in Walyalup: Trish Ratajczak

Centre for Stories

Trish Ratajczak was born and raised in Walyalup. She remembers a difficult childhood, with a hungry stomach and chaos that threatened to enter her bedroom. When she went in search of her biological father, she discovered she was Aboriginal. This is her journey of finding her mob. Content Warning: These stories may include triggering content for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. So, if you’re struggling while listening to this story, please don’t hesitate to connect with 13 YARN on 13 92 76 and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander crisis supporter. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Truth Telling in Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that were shared in local resident’s backyards all around Walyalup/Fremantle. The stories were reflections about Australia's shared colonial history and imagining a better future toward reconciliation. These stories were produced in partnership with and made possible by generous funding from the City of Fremantle. Find out more about their reconciliation journey and truth telling program at www.fremantle.wa.gov.au. In this collection, you will hear live recordings from people who spoke about difficult truths, hidden histories and reimagined futures, all reflections of their lived experiences of colonisation in Walyalup and beyond. To support Centre for Stories in helping more important truths to be told and share, please consider donating or partnering with us. You can find out more about Centre for Stories at www.centreforstories.com. This episode was narrated and produced by Luisa Mitchell from Centre for Stories. Original music and sound engineering by Mason Vellios. Live recording by Cobie Mason.