From photos, to menus to newsletters, Dubbo Regional Council's cultural development team is calling on the public to help document the COVID-19 pandemic.
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An online portal has been set up to allow resident to share their COVID-19 story and detail their experiences. The team are looking for stories on the good, the hard, and the sad moments, or even how residents have adapted to the social distance rules, as well as changes to work, school or home.
"We know that COVID-19 is having a profound effect on the whole planet, and everyone here in the Dubbo region will in one way or another be feeling the consequences," cultural development coordinator Jessica Moore said.
"We would like to hear from you, as members of our community, about how your life has been affected by this global situation."
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The cultural development team is searching for more than just photos.
"Your submission can include pamphlets, signs, menus, directional material and local publications or digital content such as newsletters, emails from schools and businesses, photographs and videos that were publically available. We would also love to hear your stories, poems or songs about the pandemic - archives come alive when we get to include personal recollections" Ms Moore said.
Anyone can make a submission via the portal, and after the submission has been received, the cultural development team will reply via phone or email.
If your submission is accepted for the archives, you'll be asked to complete a deposit agreement and we will organise the best way to receive your items.
Dubbo mayor Ben Shields has already made a submission on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected his role as mayor.
"In my letter, I talked about how the role of Mayor changed as the pandemic impacted our region. Because so much of my role is getting out and meeting people, in a matter of weeks I went from a full diary to a near empty one," Cr Shields said.
"Council also changed the way it operated, like so many businesses, and everyone's focus was on serving the community during that difficult time. When we look back on this period, it will be fascinating to see just how much life changed and which changes remained after social isolation came to an end."
Submissions are now being accepted via the Western Plains Cultural Centre website.
